California
PG&E failed to do inspections and maintenance on power lines for years, report finds
By Kevin Martinez, 5 December 2019
The 700-page report found that the company had systemic failures when it came to updating and fixing its infrastructure leading up to the 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 85 people.
Union reaches deal with University of Chicago, creating two-tier system for nurses
By Benjamin Mateus, 26 November 2019
Nurses at the University of Chicago Medical Center will vote tomorrow on the new contract, which will drive a chasm between higher-paid veteran nurses and all new hires.
California utility PG&E plans regular blackouts for another ten years as more residents have power cut this week
By Anthony del Omo and Dan Conway, 21 November 2019
Earlier this week, the Pacific Gas and Electricity utility (PG&E) announced that they would shut off electrical power to hundreds of thousands of customers beginning Wednesday morning in the fourth such mass power outage since October.
100 UC strike
14 November 2019
University of California union attempts to wear down workers with a sixth 24-hour strike
By Evelyn Rios, 13 November 2019
The real concern of the union is the amount of dues revenue that will be lost if UC continues to employ outsourced labor.
California police arrest woman for delivering stillborn baby with drugs in its system
By Dan Conway, 11 November 2019
California police arrested 25-year-old Chelsea Cheyenne Becker on a charge of 1st degree murder last week after she delivered a stillborn baby with methamphetamine in its system.
One year since the Northern California Camp Fire
An accounting of a crime
By Toby Reese, 11 November 2019
November 8 marked one year since the outbreak of the Northern California Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive fire in the state’s history.
UC Berkeley professors discuss the California wildfires and air quality
“Air pollution is arguably the greatest environmental catastrophe in the world today”
By David Levine, 4 November 2019
The WSWS recently spoke with Dr. Richard A. Muller, a University of California professor who has published research on issues of air pollution, as well as Jameson Karns, a UC researcher in the field of fire management.
More fires ignite as wildfire season deepens in California
By Kevin Martinez, 1 November 2019
11 fires are presently raging across California, with reports indicating that the state’s utility monopolies likely bear responsibility for the most damaging fires.
PG&E "can tell you what to do and you have to pay them money"
Growing outrage over PG&E role in California fire disaster
By Gabriel Black, 30 October 2019
Millions of people are frustrated and sickened by the regularization of the blackouts.
Hundreds of thousands evacuated, more than two million without power as fires continue in California
By Gabriel Black and Dan Conway, 29 October 2019
In the wealthiest state in the wealthiest country in the world, millions are forced to spend days without power or flee for their lives as wildfires continue to rage.
State of emergency as California wildfires force 200,000 to evacuate
By Renae Cassimeda, 28 October 2019
Large areas of northern California are engulfed in flames as wind gusts reach over 90 miles per hour, leading to the largest evacuation in the state’s history.
Over two million to be without power over weekend as wildfires sweep through California
By Dan Conway, 26 October 2019
Millions of Californians are told to prepare for further power outages as wildfires wreak havoc across the length of the country’s most populous state.
California utility PG&E imposes mass blackouts for second time this month
By Jonathan Burleigh, 25 October 2019
Despite California Governor Gavin Newsom’s posturing as an opponent of the utility’s profiteering, PG&E knows full well that it will not be held responsible for the social cost of its power shutoffs.
Video shows Fresno police officer shooting unarmed 10th grade boy in the head
By Tom Carter, 24 October 2019
After Isiah Murrietta-Golding’s body drops to the ground, another police officer yells, “good shot.”
Pacific Gas and Electric utility confronts mass outrage a week after Northern California power shutoffs
By Dan Conway, 17 October 2019
During last week’s outage, traffic signals went dark, water was not pumped from ground wells, food spoiled, and medical devices failed to operate.
California Governor vetoes $2 billion affordable housing bill
By Rafael Azul, 16 October 2019
Gavin Newsom’s veto exposes the Democrat as a fiscal austerity conservative in the mold of Republican governors.
“PG&E should be nationalized”: Berkeley students and residents denounce forced blackout in California
By Evan Blake, 16 October 2019
Last week’s blackout, which affected over two million people and businesses, lasted up to four days in some places and likely caused many premature deaths.
Wildfires and forced blackouts lead to multiple deaths in California
By Evan Blake, 14 October 2019
In total, Pacific Gas and Electric cut power to over 700,000 homes or businesses in two phases last Wednesday and Thursday, likely equivalent to over two million people.
As wildfires, power outages spread throughout California, tens of thousands ordered to evacuate
By Dan Conway, 12 October 2019
Fires burned throughout the Southern California region on Thursday and Friday, leading to deliberate power outages with dozens of homes and buildings destroyed.
The irrationality of capitalism: Millions cut off from electricity, lives endangered by California utility PG&E
By Evan Blake, 11 October 2019
The forced blackouts affecting over two million people and businesses across 34 counties in Northern California serve as a stark example of the irrationality of the capitalist system.
PG&E imposes blackout for over two million residents in Northern California
By Evan Blake, 10 October 2019
Facing wind storms, the energy monopoly cut power for masses of people, fearing liability in the event of further deadly wildfires sparked by its power lines.
Silicon Valley public service workers complete day two of “rolling” strike
By Renae Cassimeda, 4 October 2019
Taking to the picket lines for the first time in 40 years, 1,200 public service workers are on strike at facilities throughout Santa Clara County, California.
Sacramento, California killer cops return to work 18 months after murdering 22-year-old Stephon Clark
By Dan Conway, 28 September 2019
The two Sacramento, California, police officers who fatally shot unarmed Clark 20 times last year returned to work Thursday after no federal civil rights charges were brought against them.
US: Strike of 85,000 Kaiser Permanente workers called off by unions
By Kevin Martinez, 27 September 2019
The strike planned for October 15 has been called off after a tentative agreement was reached without any input from Kaiser Permanente’s 85,000 workers.
Strike date of October 14 set for 80,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers across US
By Kevin Martinez, 19 September 2019
The walkout would be the largest strike in the US since 1997 and follow close on the heels of the strike by 46,000 GM autoworkers which began at midnight Sunday.
Eight dead, 26 missing in deadly boat fire off Southern California coast
By Norisa Diaz, 3 September 2019
Given the high likelihood that the remaining passengers will not be found alive, the fire on the Conception will rank among the deadliest maritime tragedies in California and US history.
Democrats enforce crackdown on vehicular homelessness in Los Angeles
By Rafael Azul, 23 August 2019
Nearly 10,000 people are forced by high rents and stagnant wages to live in their vehicles on the streets of the second largest city in the United States.
The newest #MeToo atrocity: Opera singer Plácido Domingo comes under attack
By David Walsh, 17 August 2019
On August 13, the Associated Press posted an article by Jocelyn Gecker alleging that Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo had sexually harassed a number of women over a period of several decades.
US Kaiser Permanente workers vote overwhelmingly in favor of strike
By Dan Conway, 16 August 2019
The 98 percent strike vote is a powerful expression of opposition to decades of attacks on workers by the multi-trillion dollar US health care industry.
San Francisco school board proposes “compromise” in move to suppress historic Depression-era murals
By Toby Reese, 15 August 2019
School board officials in San Francisco continue their attempt to censor the left-wing murals painted by Victor Arnautoff at George Washington High School despite broad popular opposition.
Comments from August 13 SFUSD school board meeting
Supporters of the “Life of Washington” mural in San Francisco speak their minds
By Toby Reese, 15 August 2019
At Tuesday’s meeting of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD Board of Education), numerous speakers eloquently addressed the issues involved in the censorship of Victor Arnautoff’s “Life of Washington” mural.
220 San Francisco mural leaflet
14 August 2019
Large turnout to view George Washington murals slated for destruction by San Francisco school board
By Toby Reese, 7 August 2019
The George Washington High School was opened for two hours for a viewing of the 13-panel mural by left-wing Depression Era muralist Victor Arnautoff depicting the “Life of Washington.”
210 SF murals
6 August 2019
More than 150,000 healthcare and grocery workers could strike in California and other states
By Rafael Azul, 2 August 2019
Eighty-thousand Kaiser Permanente healthcare employees in several states and 70,000 supermarket workers in California and Oregon are poised to walk out.
US Marines arrested for human trafficking and drug offenses
By Kevin Martinez, 30 July 2019
Nineteen active-duty soldiers stationed at Camp Pendleton Marine Corp base in Southern California were arrested following an earlier investigation that revealed Marines smuggling immigrants near the US-Mexico border.
Anger of West Coast grocery workers mounts as union seeks to block strikes
By Dan Conway and Kimie Saito, 16 July 2019
Talks between the United Food & Commercial Workers and Southern California supermarket chains resumed last week after workers overwhelmingly voted in favor of strike.
Seventeen-year-old girl fatally shot by police on California freeway
By Alan Gilman, 13 July 2019
Hannah Williams was shot and killed after being involved in a minor traffic accident with a police vehicle in Fullerton, California.
10,000 Portland-area grocery workers authorize strike
By Norisa Diaz, 10 July 2019
The strike vote comes less than two weeks after 46,000 workers at three of the largest supermarket chains in Southern California also authorized a walkout.
Two major earthquakes strike in two days: Why aren’t California’s cities ready for the “big one”?
By Dan Conway, 8 July 2019
Although there was no significant injury or loss of life, the quakes caused significant damage to homes and small businesses in in the city of Ridgecrest, 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Wildcat strike by Salinas, California food processing workers
By Rafael Azul, 13 June 2019
Salinas food industry workers are being driven into struggle against the unions, which enforce poverty wages and dangerous conditions.
Los Angeles schools superintendent warns of “reckoning” after failure of property tax measure
By Dan Conway, 13 June 2019
In an effort to justify its shutdown of the LA teacher strike in January, the unions told educators to look to the Democratic Party-backed tax measure to increase school funding.
Homelessness surges in southern California
By Adam Mclean, 10 June 2019
In Los Angeles the growth of homelessness is driven by an exorbitantly high cost of living, dominated by rent.
8 June 2019
New Haven teachers strike enters third week
By David Brown and Evan Blake, 4 June 2019
The New Haven Teachers Association has dropped their wage demands beneath inflation, leaving teachers at a loss.
Fourteen Democratic presidential hopefuls campaign at California convention
By Dan Conway, 3 June 2019
The presidential candidates who spoke at the convention offered various types of vague reformist pabulum that will be rapidly abandoned once the party’s nominee is chosen.
Democrat Tony Thurmond fails to shut down New Haven teachers strike in California
By Evan Blake, 1 June 2019
After facilitating the betrayal of the Oakland and Los Angeles teachers strikes, Thurmond has been brought in by the New Haven Teachers Association to end their strike.
“What we need to do is storm Sacramento”
New Haven teachers speak on conditions
By David Brown, 1 June 2019
Teachers across the New Haven School District spoke with the World Socialist Web Site about the strike and the difficult conditions they face as educators.
University of Chicago graduate student union authorizes strike action
By George Gallanis, 29 May 2019
The vote is in response to the U of C administration’s anti-democratic attempt to block the recognition of the graduate student union for nearly two years.
Teachers strike in New Haven School District, Northern California
By Dan Conway, 22 May 2019
The California Teachers Association is sponsoring a #RedForEd “Day of Action” at the state capital of Sacramento on Wednesday.
070 East Bay teachers strike
21 May 2019
Death of a Los Angeles dockworker
By Rafael Azul, 20 May 2019
The death of Joseph Santoyo and severe injury to Pedro Chavarin at the Los Angeles port of San Pedro occurred in the midst of speed-ups and the destruction of working conditions.
University of California unions wear down workers with fifth one-day strike
By Evelyn Rios, 17 May 2019
Dwindling numbers participate in the fifth one-day, unpaid strike, as workers have been kept on the job without a contract for nearly two years.
San Francisco Board of Education to decide on the fate of historic murals said to be “offensive”
By Toby Reese, 13 May 2019
A “Reflection and Action Group,” dominated by identity politics, has recommended removing murals at George Washington High School. The action would erase a striking work that treats important issues in US history.
San Diego Sweetwater Teachers Union begins bargaining as false financial situation reported by district
By Evelyn Rios, 4 May 2019
The union and district are negotiating an austerity contract based on what is most likely fraudulent accounting, amidst allegations of fraud and mismanagement investigations.
The manufactured case of Long Beach “terrorist” Marc Steven Domingo
By Rafael Azul, 3 May 2019
The arrest of the Afghan war veteran has the characteristics of an entrapment operation by the FBI and other police agencies.
Los Angeles universities quarantine 280 as US measles cases reach record levels
By Kate Randall, 27 April 2019
The CDC reports the number of measles cases has spiked to at least 695 so far this year, the highest number since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.
Rising death toll in San Diego jails
By Norisa Diaz, 20 April 2019
Within the short span of six weeks, four people have died while in custody in San Diego, California jails.
Sacramento, California teachers conduct one day strike
By Ben McGrath, 12 April 2019
As the teachers union works to reach a sellout deal with county officials, rank-and-file teachers are striving for a broader struggle in defense of public education.
One-day strike by Sacramento, California teachers
By Dan Conway, 11 April 2019
Ninety-two percent of Sacramento City Teachers Association members voted last month to authorize strike action in the state capital.
Lower turnout for second one-day strike at California universities and health systems
By Evelyn Rios, 11 April 2019
On Wednesday, several thousand of the lowest paid workers struck against the University of California’s ten-campus system.
University of California service and patient care technicians on one-day strike
By Marc Wells, 10 April 2019
University of California’s 25,000 service and patient care technicians are on strike today, for the fourth time in less than a year.
Christoph Vandreier kicks off US speaking tour with well-attended meeting at UC Berkeley
By Gabriel Black, 10 April 2019
Christoph Vandreier spoke to an audience of 70 university students and workers, in the first of six meetings on “The Threat Of Fascism And How To Fight It”
San Diego teachers and parents left in the dark as school district threatens massive budget cuts
By Evelyn Rios, 29 March 2019
The Sweetwater school district and its teachers’ union have begun bargaining on an austerity contract in the aftermath of the announcement of the district’s $68 million shortfall.
IYSSE at San Diego State University holds rally to defend Chelsea Manning
By International Youth and Students for Social Equality at San Diego State University, 29 March 2019
Tuesday’s rally advanced an international strategy to mobilize youth, students and the broadest layers of the working class against the persecution of Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange.
Arsonist attacks mosque in Southern California
By Norisa Diaz, 28 March 2019
An arsonist set fire to the Islamic Center of Escondido in North San Diego County on Sunday, leaving behind a note referencing the New Zealand rampage.
Hundreds of Uber and Lyft drivers strike in Los Angeles
By Dan Conway, 27 March 2019
The strike was triggered by Uber’s recent announcement to cut drivers’ per-mile compensation in Los Angeles and part of nearby Orange County by 25 percent.
Warner Bros. CEO’s resignation sheds revealing light on Hollywood and #MeToo campaign
By David Walsh, 22 March 2019
Kevin Tsujihara, one of the American film industry’s most powerful executives, resigned March 18 after texts were made public indicating he had promised to promote an actress’ career in exchange for sex.
California university workers in one-day strike across the state
By Evelyn Rios, 20 March 2019
Thousands of low-paid workers will strike on Wednesday throughout the University of California’s 10-campus system, the largest public institution of higher learning in the world.
Sacramento, California teachers authorize strike
By Dan Conway, 20 March 2019
The overwhelming strike vote in California’s state capital expresses the militancy of teachers across the country fighting the bipartisan assault on public education.
California governor announces moratorium on death penalty
By Alan Gilman, 16 March 2019
The 737 condemned inmates in the nation’s largest death row will have their death sentences stayed for the duration of a moratorium issued by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Dreams for Change: A San Diego shelter for the vehicular homeless
By Marko Leone and Kevin Martinez, 16 March 2019
An increasing number of homeless families, students and workers are relying on nonprofits to find a safe space to sleep and live in their cars.
More than 80 arrested in Sacramento protesting decision not to charge police in murder of Stephon Clark
By Trévon Austin, 6 March 2019
Clark was killed after being shot at by two officers more than 20 times in his grandmother’s backyard last March. The only thing he had in his hand was a cell phone.
Amid widespread opposition, union declares end to Oakland teachers strike
By Joseph Santolan, 4 March 2019
Hours after angry teachers denounced the sellout agreement during a mass meeting, the Oakland Education Association claimed the deal had been ratified.
Vote “no” on sell-out agreement
Union pushes contract in effort to shut down Oakland teachers’ strike
By Joseph Santolan, 2 March 2019
The deal leaves $30 million of district budget cuts and school closures intact, while allowing school closures, giving teachers raises below inflation, and addressing none of their other pressing demands.
As Oakland strike enters seventh day, union keeps teachers in dark on negotiations
By Norisa Diaz and Joseph Santolan, 1 March 2019
The rank-and-file strike committee, at a meeting Thursday night, exposed the anti-democratic measures of the OEA leadership.
Oakland teachers continue strike as Kentucky teachers launch statewide sickout
By Joseph Santolan, 28 February 2019
As teachers in Oakland California begin their sixth day on strike, the wave of teachers struggles, begun in West Virginia a year ago, continues to expand across the United States.
“We always have money for wars but not for public education”
Oakland teachers and students speak as strike reaches critical juncture
By our reporters, 28 February 2019
Teachers, students and other workers expressed their determination to fight on the fifth day of the strike by 3,000 educators in Oakland, California.
Oakland teachers form rank-and-file strike committee as union keeps educators in the dark
By Ben McGrath, 27 February 2019
Teachers are seeking to take the conduct of the strike into their own hands and prevent a betrayal of their struggle by the Oakland Education Association.
Fremont, California teachers stage sick-out
By Jonathan Burleigh, 27 February 2019
Teachers in the Bay Area city of Fremont called in sick last week after working without a contract for the entire school year. Their wildcat action came two days before the start of the Oakland teachers’ strike.
Unions, Democrats rush to end strike as Oakland teachers resist attack on public education
By Joseph Santolan, 26 February 2019
The district’s financial oversight trustee has threatened to veto any deal that provides wage increases above the rate of inflation.
“We need a national strike!”
Oakland teachers and students speak on third day of strike
By our reporters, 26 February 2019
On the third day of the strike, teachers and students alike expressed strong support for a broader, united struggle of workers against the corporate assault on education.
In wake of January teachers strike, further attacks on public schools planned in Los Angeles
By Dan Conway, 26 February 2019
Details are emerging of how the Los Angeles Unified School District intends to prosecute its assault on teachers, including plans to break up the district into multiple local networks.
020 Fremont, CA teachers health insurance
26 February 2019
Oakland, California teachers press for expansion of strike as union seeks to contain struggle
By Evan Blake, 23 February 2019
Despite its rhetoric, the OEA is working to isolate teachers from their class allies and prevent a broader struggle in defense of public education.
For a unified struggle of Oakland students and teachers to defend public education!
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality - Berkeley, 23 February 2019
The IYSSE supports and applauds the tens of thousands of teenage students in Oakland who have protested in solidarity with their striking teachers.
Support Oakland teachers! For a general strike to defend education!
By WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 22 February 2019
The call must go out in every workplace in the Bay Area, across California, the US and internationally: “The Oakland teachers must not fight this decisive battle alone!”
Powerful support for Oakland teachers’ strike
By Jonathan Burleigh, 22 February 2019
Like teachers across the US and internationally, striking teachers in Oakland, California are fighting against the corporate war on public education and the complicity of the trade unions.
Build rank-and-file strike committees! Prepare to expand the strike!
A fighting program for Oakland teachers
By WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 19 February 2019
Oakland, California teachers must break out of union-imposed isolation and organize across bargaining units, district lines, and geographical boundaries. This is the same fight nationally and internationally in defense of public education.
Week-long military exercises in Los Angeles raise serious questions
By Dan Conway, 13 February 2019
Six days of military exercises concluded in Los Angeles on Saturday with action in the latter half of the week centered on the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Oakland students walk out as school board prepares major cuts
By Jonathan Burleigh, 11 February 2019
Thousands of Oakland students voiced their support for teachers and hostility to planned budget cuts and school closures.
US military conducting urban warfare training exercises in Los Angeles
By Dan Conway, 7 February 2019
With little in the way of advanced warning, thousands of frightened Los Angeles residents awoke this week to the sound of low-flying helicopters, gunfire and explosions.
Oakland, California teachers overwhelmingly vote to strike
By Jonathan Burleigh, 6 February 2019
Oakland teachers have voted by 95 percent to authorize a strike, showing the determination of educators to fight in defense of public education.
Sacramento school district threatens bankruptcy to extort concessions from teachers
By Dan Conway, 31 January 2019
School district officials in California’s capital city announced they had to cut $16 million from spending by November 2019 to avoid state receivership, with another $16 million in cuts needed for next year.
After sellout of Los Angeles teachers strike, new attacks on public schools coming
By Alan Gilman, 30 January 2019
The agreement failed to meet any of the teachers’ most critical demands to reduce class size, increase wages, stop the expansion of charter schools, and address chronically underfunded budgets.
The International Socialist Organization, Jacobin hail betrayal of Los Angeles teachers’ strike
By Adam Mclean, 28 January 2019
Before, during and after the six-day strike by 33,000 teachers, the ISO and the Democratic Socialists of America sought to subordinate educators to the unions and the Democratic Party.
The timeline of a sellout
How the UTLA orchestrated the betrayal of Los Angeles teachers
By Alan Gilman, 25 January 2019
Well aware that the sellout deal would provoke widespread opposition, the union rushed through the contract without providing teachers time to study and discuss it.
“It was rushed. It was a farce”
Los Angeles teachers livid over union’s betrayal of strike
By Kimie Saito, 25 January 2019
Teachers spoke out on how the United Teachers Los Angeles pushed through a contract vote on a deal that abandoned their most critical demands.
Union rams through deal to end Los Angeles teachers strike
By Jerry White, 23 January 2019
Before educators had time to study the deal, the United Teachers Los Angeles rushed through a vote that ignores teachers’ demands for improved wages and school funding and lower class sizes.
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