United States
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.
House Education and Labor Committee: US schools are in shambles
By J. Cooper, 22 February 2019
A recent Congressional hearing exposed the disastrous state of public schools but offers no solutions.
Marathon workers in Galveston Bay, Texas reject USW-company sellout contract
By Jessica Goldstein, 22 February 2019
The overwhelming “no” vote by oil workers at Marathon Petroleum in Galveston Bay, Texas reflects growing worker militancy in the face of the continuing attacks on living standards.
The Jussie Smollett controversy: Must all accusations be believed?
By Eric London, 22 February 2019
Smollett has been arrested for filing a false police report after the Democratic Party adopted his story as proof that identity—not class—defines social relations.
MIT refuses to cut ties to Saudi regime
By John Marion, 22 February 2019
The MIT president announced the university’s commitment to maintaining relationships with Saudi Arabia in the wake of the murder of the Saudi dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi last October.
Oakland, California teachers walk out as unions sabotage West Virginia strike
By Jerry White, 21 February 2019
Teachers in Oakland, California have walked out of schools in the latest of a series of strikes by educators in the US and internationally against austerity and social inequality.
US missile treaty withdrawal sparks global nuclear arms race
By Andre Damon, 21 February 2019
A half-century after the Cuban Missile crisis brought humanity to within a hair’s breadth of destruction, Washington is fueling an even more dangerous global nuclear standoff.
Sixteen Democratic-led states file lawsuit against Trump’s national emergency
By Eric London, 21 February 2019
As the faction fight in the ruling class intensifies, the legal question the courts will answer is: can the president usurp the powers of the legislature?
Feds arrest fascist Coast Guard officer who plotted to kill socialists and Democrats
By Eric London, 21 February 2019
Court filings read, “The defendant intends to murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country.”
Trump receives “national security” report on auto imports
By Nick Beams, 21 February 2019
A Commerce Department investigation is believed to state that auto imports constitute a “threat.”
“There’s been a blackout from the union”
Teamsters locals use anti-democratic loopholes and deceit to impose sellout agreements
By Erik Schreiber, 21 February 2019
Adding insult to injury following the imposition of the national UPS contract last year, the Teamsters union is using anti-democratic procedures to ram through local supplemental agreements by overriding the express will of the membership.
Florida state senator calls for National Guard to be deployed on the streets of Jacksonville in response to recent spate of violence
By Matthew Taylor, 21 February 2019
The call for martial law shows that the Democrats, no less than the Republicans, have nothing but contempt for constitutional protections and will utilize any excuse to institute police state measures.
Trump regime targets “loser teachers” in red-baiting tirade
By Nancy Hanover, 21 February 2019
Speaking in El Paso last week, Donald Trump, Jr. launched into a vicious McCarthyite attack on public school teachers, one of a series of anti-socialist diatribes by the administration.
West Virginia educators remain defiant in second day of statewide strike
By Tom Eley, 20 February 2019
The unions’ attempts to declare “victory” have so far failed to convince teachers, who remember all too well similar claims after the betrayal of their statewide strike last year.
“They’ll tell you one thing and turn around and do another”
West Virginia teachers denounce attack on public education
By our reporters, 20 February 2019
Teachers and their allies condemned attacks on public education and expressed enthusiasm for the expansion of strikes.
Chicago Teachers Union shuts down strike at CICS charter schools
By Alexander Fangmann, 20 February 2019
Despite hailing it as yet another “victory,” the union agreed to a deal that leaves conditions and teacher compensation at charter schools well below traditional public schools.
“My story belongs to every single human being who has sacrificed and risked their life in search of a better life”
Mexican migrant details harrowing journey across the Sonoran desert following deportation
By Angel Andres and Anthony del Olmo, 20 February 2019
The threats posed by an unforgiving terrain and climate are only a portion of the dangerous landscape that is filled with the Mexican police, cartel thugs and the US border patrol.
Forty-five-year-old migrant dies in US Border Patrol custody
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 20 February 2019
A 45-year old man taken into custody by Customs and Border Patrol for “illegal reentry” early this month died in a medical facility in McAllen, Texas.
US anti-Huawei campaign suffers a blow
By Nick Beams, 20 February 2019
According to a report in the Financial Times, the UK National Cyber Security Network has concluded that “it is possible to mitigate the risk from using Huawei equipment in 5G networks.”
9/11 Victim Compensation Fund makes deep cuts to benefits
By Sandy English, 20 February 2019
The announcement was made the same day that President Trump bragged in about the large amount of funding allocated to the Department of Homeland Security,
Bernie Sanders announces 2020 presidential campaign
By Niles Niemuth, 20 February 2019
The senator from Vermont is reprising his role as a lightning rod to contain and defuse social opposition amid an upsurge of the international class struggle and growing interest in socialism.
US media passes over in silence Trump’s fascistic diatribe in Miami
By Bill Van Auken, 20 February 2019
To the extent that the corporate media reported the speech it was limited to foreign policy and electoral calculations, ignoring the echoes of 1930s fascism in Trump’s remarks.
Trump declares global war on socialism
By Bill Van Auken, 19 February 2019
The presentation of Trump’s presidency as a global—and domestic—crusade against socialism resurrected the kind of language that characterized not only McCarthyism, but the rise of fascism in the first half of the 20th century.
Trump threatens Alec Baldwin, calls for “retribution” against NBC
By Barry Grey, 19 February 2019
There is no precedent in US presidential history for such a direct incitement of violence against a public personality.
Eleven-year-old Florida student arrested after refusing to recite Pledge of Allegiance
By Matthew MacEgan, 19 February 2019
The incident occurred after the sixth grader told his substitute teacher that the American flag is “racist” and that the national anthem is offensive to black people.
NFL settles Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid’s collusion grievance
By Alan Gilman, 19 February 2019
Kaepernick drew national attention during the 2016 season when he knelt during the national anthem before games to protest social injustice, in particular police killings of African-Americans.
A year since statewide strike
West Virginia teachers walk out to oppose charter schools
By Jerry White, 19 February 2019
Facing the possibility of imminent wildcat strikes over a reactionary educational bill introducing charter schools, the unions called the strike hoping to shut it down as soon as they can.
"Precision Scheduled Railroading” brings layoffs and cuts to US railroads
By Jeff Lusanne, 19 February 2019
The fraudulent concept of Precision Scheduled Railroading, which has the real goal of pumping railroad stock prices, has spread to most major US railroads, bringing layoffs and cuts.
Father and four young daughters perish in Watertown, New York, house fire
By Steve Filips, 19 February 2019
The rental had no functional smoke alarms and was not registered by the landlord, averting an inspection to verify safety before it could be rented out.
Letters oppose barring of SEP panel on the fight against fascism from Historical Materialism conference
19 February 2019
The World Socialist Web Site will continue to post new letters as they come in protesting the decision of the organizers of the Socialism in Our Time conference.
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.
CIA out of Northern Virginia Community College!
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, 19 February 2019
The IYSSE demands that NVCC repudiate all ties to the CIA, including barring it and other agencies of the US military-intelligence apparatus from recruiting students.
Following national emergency declaration
White House pushes for rapid border wall construction
By Patrick Martin, 18 February 2019
Trump’s White House aide Stephen Miller told Fox News the goal was to build more than 200 miles of wall before the 2020 election.
After months of courtship, Amazon calls off New York HQ2 deal
By Clare Hurley, 18 February 2019
The decision to pull out over opposition from workers locally comes amid news that Amazon paid no taxes last year.
Oakland, California teachers set to strike this week
By Ben McGrath, 18 February 2019
Oakland educators are faced with a struggle against the Democratic Party and the teachers’ union, which have collaborated in decades of budget cutting in Oakland and across California.
Anger grows among Denver teachers, as union gloats about closed-door negotiations
By Andrea Peters, 18 February 2019
The tentative agreement reached by the union cuts compensation for some school employees and deepens union-management collaboration in merit pay.
Connections exposed between far-right group and police in Portland, Oregon
By Kayla Costa, 18 February 2019
Local journalists released hundreds of friendly and detailed texts between Portland Police Bureau Lieutenant Jeff Niiya and Joey Gibson, leader of Patriot Prayer, a local fascist group.
ICE raids terrorize immigrants across the US Southwest
By Norisa Diaz, 18 February 2019
A five-day immigration sweep in Southern California targeting 122 businesses has led to the arrest of 212 immigrants.
Trump adviser John Bolton to conduct pre-election visit to Australia
By Mike Head, 18 February 2019
One of Washington’s most vocal war hawks will arrive in the midst of a political crisis and on the eve of the federal election.
New York Times places songwriter Ryan Adams in the crosshairs of its #MeToo witch hunt
By Eric London, 18 February 2019
Within hours, the music industry began erasing Adams’ nearly 30-year footprint as a pioneer of popular Americana music.
Former FBI deputy director confirms FBI, Justice officials discussed removing Trump
By Barry Grey, 16 February 2019
In his “60 Minutes” interview, McCabe confirms the existence of a plot within the FBI and Justice Department to overturn the results of the 2016 presidential election.
No agreement on US-China trade with talks to continue
By Nick Beams, 16 February 2019
The next round will be virtually the last chance to reach a formal agreement before March 1, after which the US will increase tariffs—from 10 to 25 percent—on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods.
No More Deaths volunteers prosecuted for providing humanitarian aid to migrants
By Anthony del Olmo, 16 February 2019
The targeting of humanitarian aid groups is a warning that no one will be spared in the administration’s fascistic attack on immigrants.
Trump’s state of emergency
A step towards presidential dictatorship
By Patrick Martin, 16 February 2019
No American president has so flagrantly usurped the constitutional prerogative of Congress to decide how public funds are to be spent.
War summit in Warsaw
By Bill Van Auken, 15 February 2019
While Netanyahu’s statement that this week’s conference in Warsaw was called to discuss “war with Iran” was treated by the media as a gaffe, it was nothing of the kind.
As Congress enacts huge “border security” bill
Trump to declare national emergency to build wall
By Patrick Martin, 15 February 2019
The emergency declaration is an authoritarian move that overrides the constitutional separation of powers, elevating the executive branch above the legislative.
Union shuts down Denver teachers strike
By Trévon Austin, 15 February 2019
The Denver Classroom Teachers Association cut a deal in the early hours of Thursday morning and told teachers to return to work before voting on the contract.
Wright State University reaches tentative agreement with faculty enshrining health and pay cuts
By Alexander Fangmann, 15 February 2019
The agreement codifies most of the demands made by the university’s administrators and board of trustees, and should be rejected by faculty.
OSHA fines XPO $10,347 for the deaths of two workers
By Steve Filips, 15 February 2019
OSHA reached a settlement with XPO Logistics imposing wrist-slap fines for the company’s negligence relating to the deaths of two workers in June 2018.
Uncertainty hangs over US border deal as shutdown deadline nears
By Patrick Martin, 14 February 2019
President Trump has not yet guaranteed that he will sign the deal to provide $1.375 billion to fund his planned border wall.
Union rushing to end Denver teachers strike
By Nancy Hanover, 14 February 2019
Denver teachers should take a warning from the experience of Los Angeles teachers and resist any attempt to rush through a deal that abandons critical demands for substantial increases in pay and school funding and a reduction in class sizes.
Heavy snow storm exposes depth of social crisis in US Pacific Northwest
By Kayla Costa, 14 February 2019
Winter Storm Nadia brought record snowfall and low temperatures to Washington and Oregon, imposing harsh burdens on the homeless, poor and working class.
Flight attendant paralyzed after Delta ordered flight through tropical storm
The workers’ compensation nightmare at Delta Airlines: Part three
By Tom Hall, 14 February 2019
Jane’s condition has been made significantly worse by lengthy delays in treatment caused by Delta’s workers’ compensation administrator, Sedgwick.
Autoworkers must prepare fight as UAW plans new givebacks in 2019 contracts
By Shannon Jones, 14 February 2019
An op-ed piece in the Detroit Free Press by United Auto Workers President Gary Jones makes it clear that the union plans to use the threat to jobs to blackmail workers into accepting a new round of concessions in the 2019 contracts.
One year since the Parkland high school massacre: A political balance sheet
By Genevieve Leigh, 14 February 2019
One year has passed since the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17 people and sparked nationwide protests by students and youth against gun violence.
The Iranian Revolution—Forty Years On
By Keith Jones, 13 February 2019
It is the Stalinist Tudeh Party and the politics of Stalinism that were principally responsible for the tragic derailing of the Iranian Revolution.
Denver teachers battle merit-pay system that is backed by unions, Democratic Party
By Andrea Peters, 13 February 2019
Teachers in Colorado’s largest city are continuing their decisive fight against low pay, performance-based compensation and underfunding of the schools.
Following Democrats' capitulation on border wall
Trump pushes for more anti-immigrant concessions from the Democrats
By Barry Grey, 13 February 2019
The government funding agreement represents a capitulation by the Democrats to Trump’s demand for a border wall and his mass detention of undocumented immigrants.
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.
Delta planted GPS tracker in car of disabled flight attendant
The workers’ compensation nightmare at Delta Airlines: Part two
By Tom Hall, 13 February 2019
In order to “prove” their case against injured flight attendant Ashley, Delta hired private investigators to spy on her, a common practice in workers’ comp cases.
Trump to hold second summit with North Korean leader
By Peter Symonds, 13 February 2019
By holding out the prospect that North Korea could become an “economic powerhouse,” Trump is seeking to entice Pyongyang out of China’s orbit and into closer ties with the US.
Denver teachers strike backed by student walkouts
By Tom Eley, 12 February 2019
Thousands of high school students walked out of class in solidarity with their nearly 3,000 striking teachers.
Chicago charter teachers strike enters second week
By Kristina Betinis, 12 February 2019
Charter school teachers are fighting for decent wages and smaller class sizes, but the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is looking to expands its franchise into the charter business.
Mexican union apparatus, government scramble to suppress growing strike across Mexico
By Andrea Lobo, 12 February 2019
Inspired by the wave of wildcat strikes by maquiladora workers in Matamoros, Mexico, militancy and opposition to the trade unions and the AMLO administration are growing.
Democratic leaders join attack on Democratic congresswoman
Bogus charges of anti-Semitism fuel right-wing campaign against Ilhan Omar
By Patrick Martin, 12 February 2019
The Democratic Party backlash only demonstrates the truth of Representative Omar’s comments about the influence of the Israeli lobby on Congress.
Michigan steelworker dies after falling into vat of sulfuric acid
By Shannon Jones, 12 February 2019
Daniel Hill died over the weekend after falling into a vat of highly dangerous sulfuric acid while being trained for a new job at Michigan Seamless Tube in South Lyon.
Chicago Fire Department cites open flame as cause of Little Village fire that killed 10 children
By Benjamin Mateus, 12 February 2019
Nearly five months after the fire, investigators are unable to determine if the cause of the fire was arson or an accident, or even the source of the blaze.
“We have to stand up and learn how to be strong on our own”
Workers at February 9 protest discuss fight against GM closings
By our reporters, 12 February 2019
Autoworkers explained why they attended the demonstration and the strategic demands raised by the march, including the fight for rank-and-file committees and the unity of US, Canadian and Mexican workers.
Injured flight attendants speak to the WSWS
The workers’ compensation nightmare at Delta Airlines: Part one
By Tom Hall, 12 February 2019
Several seriously injured Delta Airlines flight attendants recently spoke to the World Socialist Web Site about the hellish ordeal confronting workers who seek assistance through the company’s workers’ compensation system.
In their first strike in 25 years, Denver, Colorado teachers walk out
By Nancy Hanover, 11 February 2019
The Denver strike highlights the growing determination of educators, nationally and internationally, in the face of a concerted assault on public education.
Oppose the Democrats’ #MeToo witch-hunt against Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax
By Barry Grey, 11 February 2019
Once again, unsubstantiated and dubious sexual allegations are being used in a #MeToo operation driven by a right-wing political agenda.
West Virginia teachers, school staff vote “overwhelmingly” to authorize work action
By our reporters, 11 February 2019
Teachers and other school workers in all 55 West Virginia counties voted last week to call a work action against a reactionary omnibus education bill moving through the legislature.
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.
Workers at ExxonMobil in Billings, Montana reject USW-company sellout contract
By Jessica Goldstein, 11 February 2019
The “no” vote by the Billings refinery workers gives expression to wider opposition of rank-and-file oil and petrochemical workers to the contract being pushed by the union.
Bankruptcy judge approves sale of Sears to former CEO Edward Lampert for $5.2 billion
By Jacob Crosse, 11 February 2019
The beleaguered retail chain lives to die another day as remaining workers are left with an uncertain future
Study links abuse-deterrent OxyContin with rise in hepatitis C infections
By Brian Dixon, 11 February 2019
According to a new study published in Health Affairs, Purdue Pharma’s switch to a new abuse-deterrent formulation of OxyContin in 2010 led to a rise in hepatitis C infections as addicts switched to injecting heroin.
Autoworkers, supporters demonstrate in Detroit to oppose GM closures and layoffs
By Niles Niemuth, 11 February 2019
Autoworkers and supporters from throughout the Midwest attended a demonstration and meeting Saturday organized by the WSWS Autoworkers Newsletter and the Steering Committee of the Coalition of Rank and File Committees.
One hundred years since the Seattle General Strike
By Kayla Costa, 11 February 2019
One hundred years ago, over 60,000 workers brought the city of Seattle to a standstill in a strike that holds important strategic lessons for today’s struggles.
Eighty-two years since the victory of the Flint sit-down strike
By Jerry White, 11 February 2019
With General Motors threatening to shut five factories in the US and Canada, it is valuable for autoworkers to study the heroic 1936-37 sit down strike against GM’s operations in Flint, Michigan.
Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage detained by ICE agents in “targeted operation”
By Nick Barrickman, 11 February 2019
The 26-year-old Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph is facing “removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts” for overstaying a temporary residency visa that expired in 2006.
Strike action in the US hits a 32-year high
By Patrick Martin, 9 February 2019
In 2018, the number of workers involved in large strikes, walkouts involving 1,000 or more workers, was the highest since 1986.
Brazil’s Workers Party praises imperialist officials and Brazilian military involved in Venezuela regime change operation
By Miguel Andrade, 9 February 2019
As it feigns opposition to regime change in Venezuela, the PT has sent representatives to meet EU leaders who have been at the forefront of the siege of the country.
Cascade of plant closings in New York state
Social costs mount
By Steve Filips, 9 February 2019
In recent months there have been a spate of plant closings throughout Upstate New York, including the Rochester and Buffalo areas.
Wright State University administration issues call for scabs in bid to intimidate striking faculty
By Alexander Fangmann, 9 February 2019
As the strike by full-time faculty at Wright State heads toward a fourth week, the university administration is attempting to threaten striking faculty with the specter of being replaced by “long-term” adjuncts.
US Supreme Court clears way for execution of Muslim inmate without imam in death chamber
By Kate Randall, 9 February 2019
The Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling openly violated the separation of church and state enshrined in the US Constitution and the high court’s jurisprudence that government may not discriminate among faiths.
The working class and socialism
By Andre Damon, 9 February 2019
Trump’s denunciation of socialism in his State of the Union speech reflects the ruling class’s fear over the growth of the class struggle within the United States.
New York Times admission of Afghanistan fiasco provokes “human rights imperialist” backlash
By Bill Van Auken, 9 February 2019
The Times editorial supporting a US withdrawal from Afghanistan is a self-damning indictment of the entire “war on terror,” which the newspaper supported for the better part of two decades.
“People are tired of not being able to pay their bills while the rich eat filet mignon”
As global jobs massacre continues, workers around the world voice support for fight against plant closures
By our reporter, 9 February 2019
Workers and students are continuing to write in to the World Socialist Web Site expressing strong support for the demonstration Saturday at General Motors headquarters in Detroit.
German workers support rally against mass layoffs in Detroit
By our reporters, 9 February 2019
The WSWS received these messages of support for the February 9 demonstration from bus drivers, auto workers, and a tram mechanic.
Committee for Public Education (Australia): Support the fight against GM layoffs!
By the Committee for Public Education (CFPE), 9 February 2019
The February 9 demonstration, organised independently of the unions, provides a lead for all workers internationally, including teachers.
Woody Allen sues Amazon for failing to distribute his latest film and other breaches of contract
By David Walsh, 9 February 2019
Amazon’s refusal to distribute Allen’s film and honor its contract with him is a brazen act of censorship that is the direct product of the #MeToo witch hunt.
Opposition mounts to GM plant closings
By our reporter, 8 February 2019
The World Socialist Web Site has received many statements of support from autoworkers across North America for the February 9 demonstration against the planned closure of five plants by GM and the elimination of 14,000 jobs.
US commander says Pentagon prepared to intervene to defend Venezuela embassy
By Bill Van Auken, 8 February 2019
Testifying before the Senate Thursday, SOUTHCOM chief Admiral Faller linked the Venezuelan coup to the “great power” conflict with China and Russia.
US-China trade talks to resume as deadline nears
By Nick Beams, 8 February 2019
While the Trump administration put a degree of positive “spin” on last month’s discussions, little progress has been reported on the key US demands.
New York City school-bus workers’ union ignores strike vote, accepts sellout deal
By Steve Light, 8 February 2019
New York City School-bus workers voted to strike, but ATU Local 1181 signed tentative contract that continues poverty pay and precarious employment.
Behind Kia’s patronizing Super Bowl ad, auto company makes billions off low wage labor in US South
By Leslie Murtagh, 8 February 2019
Kia’s new advertisement campaign uses a struggling working-class Georgia town as a backdrop for the promotion of its pricey vehicles.
Washington issues ultimatum to Venezuela over “humanitarian aid” ploy
By Bill Van Auken, 7 February 2019
Behind the cynical pretense of concern over Venezuela’s social crisis, the Pentagon and CIA are setting the stage for an armed confrontation on the country’s border.
US-backed campaign for UN inquiry into China’s treatment of Uyghurs
By Peter Symonds, 7 February 2019
While the Beijing regime is undoubtedly engaged in repressive activities in Xinjiang, the US has cynically seized on the issue as part of its aggressive campaign on all fronts to pressure, weaken and undermine China.
Protests erupt in Birmingham, Alabama after Thanksgiving Day police shooting of innocent man declared “justified”
By Shelley Connor, 7 February 2019
Bradford was shot three times from behind by the officer, whose identity has been withheld by the police.
Follow the WSWS