Workers Struggles Around the World
Mack Truck, copper miners, Chicago teachers, gig economy workers
Spreading strike wave shows potential for GM workers to expand struggle to Ford and Fiat-Chrysler
By Jerry White, 14 October 2019
If the month-long strike is to be won, autoworkers must take the fight into their own hands, end the isolation imposed by the UAW, and fight for an industry-wide shutdown.
As GM strike enters fifth week, Mack Truck-Volvo workers launch first strike in more than 35 years
By Nick Barrickman, 14 October 2019
The two American automotive strikes are part of an international movement of the working class against austerity, including 70,000 auto parts workers in Mexico and rolling strikes at GM’s South Korean plants.
Trump backs China’s handling of Hong Kong protests
By Peter Symonds, 14 October 2019
Trump’s comments demonstrate that US imperialism, far from defending democratic rights, cynically and selectively exploits “human rights” as the means for prosecuting its own interests.
Chicago Teachers Union announces “path” to block strike and impose austerity settlement
By Kristina Betinis, 14 October 2019
CTU leaders announced on Saturday a proposal that will allow the district to “phase in” resources in a school system that has been denied the basics for decades.
India: Thousands of Telangana transport workers strike; Darjeeling tea estate workers demand higher pay; New Zealand medical laboratory workers strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
12 October 2019
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As strike enters fourth week, UAW says talks with GM have “taken turn for the worse”
By Jerry White, 7 October 2019
The hard line by GM proves that the UAW is leading the strike to defeat and makes clear that workers must respond by expanding the struggle to Ford and Fiat Chrysler.
“Capitalism is the core of the problem:” Striking GM workers call for global struggle against auto companies
By Tim Rivers and Tom Hall, 7 October 2019
GM workers on the picket discussed the need for an international strategy for the expansion of their strike with the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter this weekend.
Canada: Five thousand public sector workers strike in Saskatchewan
By Carl Bronski, 7 October 2019
The strike, involving workers at SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskWater, SaskEnergy, the Water Security Agency and two SaskTel subsidiaries, is the largest in Saskatchewan for decades.
Thousands of Assam tea workers strike over bonus payments; 17,000 non-academic university workers remain on strike in Sri Lanka
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
5 October 2019
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GM shuts down Silao complex in Mexico as workers’ rebellion brews
By Andrea Lobo, 4 October 2019
The decision to close Silao was likely aimed at preempting a simmering rebellion by workers who are making appeals for a joint struggle with US strikers.
“The UAW is allowing GM to take us back to before the sit-down strikes”
Striking GM workers on picket line discuss what is at stake in their battle
By our reporters, 30 September 2019
GM workers discussed their fight to overturn decades of UAW-backed concessions, end the exploitation of temporary workers, and support the victimized Mexican GM workers.
Wall Street gives GM and UAW time to wear down strikers and impose concessions
By Tom Hall, 30 September 2019
Investors are giving GM and the UAW the time they need to wear down strikers and enforce a defeat that would shape the future of global auto industry.
As US GM strike continues
Layoffs mount in Canadian auto industry
By Carl Bronski, 30 September 2019
Over 6,000 Canadian auto assembly and parts workers have been temporarily laid off as a result of the ongoing strike by 48,000 American UAW members against GM.
Half a million people join Montreal climate change protest
By our reporters, 30 September 2019
The scale of Friday’s protest attests to mounting popular anger at the failure of the world’s corporate-controlled governments to address this social and ecological crisis.
Striking Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians return to work, ending three-month work stoppage
By Dmitri Church, 30 September 2019
The one-year contract signed last week accedes to management’s demands to cut the symphony’s summer season, while doing nothing to guarantee salaries.
Half a million Indian coal workers strike; New South Wales coal miners fight for higher pay; Fenner Dunlop strike continues in Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
28 September 2019
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South Korean autoworkers join global fight against GM
By Ben McGrath, 26 September 2019
Workers in South Korea, the United States, and around the world face the same fight against GM and other corporations.
Protests in Egypt shake al-Sisi’s bloody military dictatorship
By Johannes Stern, 23 September 2019
The demonstrations in Egypt evoke memories of the revolutionary mass protests that brought down long-time dictator Hosni Mubarak in the winter of 2011.
GM fires Mexican workers for aiding US strikers and calling for cross-border fight against automaker
By the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, 23 September 2019
The victimization exposes the weak underbelly of the transnational corporations, which fear that workers will defy the nationalist unions and unite internationally to defend jobs and living standards.
Daimler-Benz workers in Germany support GM strikers
By Gregor Link and K. Nesan, 23 September 2019
German autoworkers in the city of Stuttgart support the strike of their American counterparts, against the auto companies and the union, as a model for their own upcoming struggles.
The GM strike is in danger
By Marcus Day, 23 September 2019
While the weeklong strike by General Motors workers in the US has won the support of workers throughout the world, the UAW is working out a strategy to strangle it as quickly as possible.
“Take control of the struggle!” Logistics workers at UPS and FedEx support GM strike, warn of union treachery
By George Marlowe, 21 September 2019
Workers at UPS, where the Teamsters union forced through a sellout last year, and at FedEx are closely watching the GM strike and support a unified struggle of the working class.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
GM workers in South Korea strike over wages; Pakistan higher education teachers walkout; Psychologists continue industrial action in New Zealand
21 September 2019
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Autoworkers at GM, Fiat Chrysler and Ford react to UAW’s starvation strike pay
By Tom Hall, 20 September 2019
Yesterday’s article detailing how the union has used the strike fund as a slush fund for UAW officials elicited a strong response from autoworkers.
India: Motherson auto parts company in Chennai victimises strikers
By Arun Kumar, 20 September 2019
The company is the largest supplier of moulded parts, assemblies and modules to India’s domestic automotive industry.
Thousands of Sri Lankan university workers demonstrate in Colombo
By our correspondents, 19 September 2019
In contrast to the efforts of the unions to shut down the strike, workers’ opposition is growing, not only to the government but also to the unions and capitalist parties.
Video: GM workers speak out on strike
By our reporters, 16 September 2019
GM workers from the Flint Assembly and Romulus Engine plant spoke to the World Socialist Web Site on the issues behind the walkout of 46,000 GM workers.
“The rank and file have to take control!”
Ford, Fiat-Chrysler workers call for all-out strike alongside GM workers
By WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, 16 September 2019
Workers are demanding an all-out fight against the companies and the corrupt UAW, which only called a strike after forcing GM workers to cross picket lines against striking janitors.
“The rank and file have to take control!”
Ford, Fiat-Chrysler workers call for all-out strike alongside GM workers
By WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, 16 September 2019
Workers are demanding an all-out fight against the companies and the corrupt UAW, which only called a strike after forcing GM workers to cross picket lines against striking janitors.
Germany: IG Metall union concludes pact with corporate bosses and government against workers
By Ulrich Rippert, 16 September 2019
The union is offering to cooperate in “structural changes” that will boost the profits of the auto companies.
US autoworkers shut down General Motors
By The WSWS Editorial Board, 16 September 2019
The strike by 46,000 GM auto workers marks a major escalation of class struggle in the United States and internationally.
Jammu & Kashmir power workers demand outstanding salaries; Pakistan tourism workers oppose job cuts
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
14 September 2019
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The struggle of autoworkers against GM, Ford, and Chrysler requires a global strategy
By Jerry White, 11 September 2019
Just days before 158,000 US autoworkers face a contract deadline, GM workers in Korea and Mexico have entered the battle, underscoring the need to unify autoworkers across national borders.
As contract deadline looms in US, 8,000 GM autoworkers strike in South Korea
By James Cogan, 10 September 2019
The issues over which the Korean workers are striking are ones that their American co-workers will readily identify with.
Build action committees! Expand the strike!
A socialist perspective for the Sri Lankan university employees’ struggle
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 10 September 2019
Non-academic university staff, who are beginning an indefinite strike today, should expand their struggle by appealing to other sections of the working class.
Hong Kong protesters: Turn to the Chinese working class, not US imperialism
By Peter Symonds, 9 September 2019
Any turn to the United States plays directly into the hands of Beijing, which seeks to malign the Hong Kong protests as the work of radical agitators and the “black hand” of Washington.
Countdown to contract fight: In final week before contract expires, autoworkers gear up for struggle against companies and UAW
By Tom Hall, 9 September 2019
A ferment is taking hold among autoworkers, who are determined to win back everything that has been taken from them.
Sri Lankan university unions threaten indefinite national strike over wages and benefits
By our correspondents, 4 September 2019
Following last week’s two-day strike by non-academic workers, unions covering all university employees have threatened an indefinite national walkout on September 10.
Tens of thousands join first day of Hong Kong protest strike
By Peter Symonds, 3 September 2019
The union confederation is doing all it can to limit action by workers and confine their demands to those of the official pro-capitalist opposition in Hong Kong.
Indian chemical workers oppose privatisation; Bangladesh garment workers protest for unpaid wages; Australian rail and tram workers to take industrial action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
17 August 2019
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Threat of Ryanair strikes across Europe; Kenyan public workers in 15 counties are set to walk out
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
16 August 2019
More workers at Ryanair have voted to strike as the job action by Portuguese delivery drivers continues and Kenyan public sector workers are set to walk out Tuesday.
“We can come together as a force:” Nashville resident who saw neighbors stop ICE speaks out
By our reporters, 13 August 2019
Rosheda Martin lives in the Hermitage neighborhood, where residents physically prevented ICE from snatching their neighbors.
Costa Rican public health workers strike against tax changes, privatization plans
Workers Struggles: The Americas
13 August 2019
Thousands of hospital and clinic workers across Costa Rica carried out a two-day strike last week to protest a tax reform bill that has imposed additional burdens on workers and led to underfunding of services.
Bangladesh municipal workers still on strike; Indian telecommunication workers demand salaries; New Zealand vehicle testing workers strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
10 August 2019
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Bangladesh primary school teachers demand government nationalise schools
By Wimal Perera, 5 August 2019
Even if non-government primary schools are taken over by the Hasina government there is no guarantee that teachers and school staff will be regularly paid.
Kentucky miners block train tracks for sixth day demanding back pay
By Samuel Davidson, 3 August 2019
Out-of-work coal miners are now in their sixth day of blocking railroad tracks, preventing the bankrupt Blackjewel LLC from moving coal out of the Harlan County, Kentucky, mine where they worked.
Indian doctors hold national 24-hour walkout; Chinese auto workers strike; Australian railway workers vote for industrial action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
3 August 2019
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“GM has made all of these profits and we’re getting shafted”
Autoworkers speak out as GM Warren Transmission plant closes after 78 years of operation
By our reporters, 2 August 2019
The closure of the facility, which once employed upwards of 4,000, is the latest economic blow to workers in the Detroit area, once the center of global auto manufacturing.
Indian protest marks seven years of legal vendetta against jailed Maruti Suzuki workers
By Kranti Kumara and Keith Jones, 31 July 2019
The sole “crime” of the 13 jailed auto workers was to challenge the poverty-wages and repressive sweatshop conditions at Maruti Suzuki.
UAW, Ford enforce punitive attendance policies at Chicago Assembly Plant ahead of September contract expiration
By Jessica Goldstein, 31 July 2019
The UAW is now playing a critical role in disciplining workers at the behest of Ford in advance of the September expiration of the national auto contract agreement.
Retired teachers on hunger strike across Ecuador
Workers Struggles: The Americas
31 July 2019
The government of Lenin Moreno has asked thousands of retired teachers to accept payment in government bonds, rather than cash, in an effort to rob retirees of their pensions.
Indian doctors and health workers strike for higher pay; Sri Lankan postal workers hold nationwide walkout
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
27 July 2019
Hundreds of doctors refused to work for two hours in outpatient services at government health services and hospitals in the city of Trichy on July 18.
UK Heathrow airport strike continues as pilots vote to strike; South Africa dockers defy unions
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
27 July 2019
In South Africa, dockworkers are continuing a two-week go slow in defiance of the unions.
UK Heathrow airport strike continues as pilots vote to strike; South African national rail strike; unions denounce South African dockers’ unofficial go-slow
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
27 July 2019
Some 4,000 workers carried out a two-day strike at London’s Heathrow airport while strikes continue in South Africa where dockworkers are continuing a two-week go slow in defiance of unions and rail workers carried out a one-day nationwide walkout.
Wall Street demands “discipline” as protests continue in Puerto Rico
By Eric London, 26 July 2019
The resignation of Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rosselló has done little to stem growing opposition.
12,500 job cuts at Nissan as global restructuring of auto industry continues
By Jerry White, 26 July 2019
The Japan-based automaker says it will cut 6,400 jobs in Japan, the US, Mexico, Britain, Spain, India and Indonesia by the end of March 2020.
Electrical worker killed at pipe mill in Western Pennsylvania
By Samuel Davidson, 26 July 2019
Forty-six-year-old David Bupp was electrocuted last Wednesday while repairing a piece of equipment at a small steel pipe manufacturing plant north of Pittsburgh.
Israeli nurses launch nationwide strike
By Jean Shaoul, 25 July 2019
The attack on nurses—usually the very last group of workers to be singled out for wage cuts—came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s interim government passed an austerity budget slashing an additional $900 million.
Thousands of Korean workers strike against government labour policies; Sri Lanka teachers walk out for better pay; Bangladesh municipal workers resume strikes
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
20 July 2019
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Indian aeronautic workers threaten national walkout; Pakistan power workers demand safe, permanent jobs; Taiwan union ends flight attendants’ strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
13 July 2019
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17,000 Walmart workers strike in Chile
By Andrea Lobo, 11 July 2019
The walkout is in response to mass firings and the expansion of a “multifunctional” work regime for the remaining workers.
As industry analyst calls UAW-automaker negotiations “Kabuki theatre”
Autoworkers demand substantial improvement in wages and conditions on eve of contract talks
By Jerry White, 9 July 2019
With negotiations set to begin on July 15, workers are determined to overturn decades of givebacks accepted by the United Auto Workers.
Hong Kong protesters appeal to mainland Chinese for support
By Ben McGrath, 9 July 2019
The unity of the Chinese working class as a whole is a prerequisite for the struggle for democratic rights and social equality.
Australian retail giant to cut jobs, wages
By Eric Ludlow, 9 July 2019
Woolworths, one of Australia’s two major supermarket chains, last month announced a restructure that endangers thousands of jobs across the country.
Germany: Riva steelworkers in Trier and Horath on strike for four weeks
By Marianne Arens, 9 July 2019
Workers are fighting against the wage dumping of parent company Riva Stahl, which is trying to pit them against the rest of the workforce to force down wages.
Strong support for Julian Assange at Sri Lanka’s Jaffna University
By our reporters, 9 July 2019
SEP and IYSSE campaigners campaigned for a July 10 picket that will be held in defence of the WikiLeaks founder in the war-ravaged city.
Costa Rican public health workers strike over pay cut, government policies; truckers block highways
Workers Struggles: the Americas
9 July 2019
Three Costa Rican public health unions began strike action July 4 against government policies while Costa Rican truckers blockaded highways over imposition of a value added tax.
Punjab Roadways workers strike for three days; thousands of Bangladesh municipal workers strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
6 July 2019
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Amazon’s meat grinder in the Dallas, Texas suburbs
By Tom Carter, 2 July 2019
Over a two-year period, 567 workers were injured at Amazon’s DFW7 fulfillment center in Fort Worth, Texas.
Chilean unions scramble to quell mass strike movement
By Andrea Lobo, 2 July 2019
The trade union bureaucracy led by the Chilean Workers United Center and its pseudo-left apologists are working to divide and end the strike movement.
Quebec: Alcoa issues ultimatum to locked-out ABI workers
By Keith Jones, 2 July 2019
The United Steelworkers Union has refused to make any public comment on Alcoa’s ultimatum, let alone coupled an emphatic call for it to be rejected with an appeal for workers across North America to come to the ABI workers’ defence.
2,000 workers to lose jobs as Philadelphia refinery shuts down
By Samuel Davidson, 2 July 2019
Blaming high costs from fire damage, Philadelphia Energy Solutions announced the closure of the largest oil refinery on the US East Coast.
Uruguay workers in one-day national strike
Workers Struggles: The Americas
2 July 2019
A June 24 strike called by the PIT-CNT trade union federation took place in the context of a worsening economic crisis that has seen continuing attacks on workers.
Sri Lankan railway unions cave in to government’s strike ban
By Saman Gunadasa, 1 July 2019
The RTUA’s betrayal has once again demonstrated that workers cannot defend their democratic rights and fight for jobs and decent working conditions through the trade unions.
Assam tea workers on strike; 3,000 Sri Lankan railway workers walk out again; Tasmanian and South Australian teachers fight for better pay
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
29 June 2019
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Ford announces 12,000 layoffs, five plant closures across Europe
By Will Morrow, 28 June 2019
A global restructuring is underway, with all the automakers relying on the trade unions to seek to suppress the seething and growing opposition of autoworkers.
UAW rams through sellout deal at Saline, Michigan Faurecia factory
By Shannon Jones, 28 June 2019
While UAW officials claim the agreement passed by a wide margin, many workers told the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter they had deep reservations about the deal, which failed to address critical issues related to wages and working conditions.
Protesting nurses speak out in Long Beach, California
By Rafael Azul and Kimie Saito, 28 June 2019
“Patients are not numbers! Maximum patients + minimum nurses = maximum profits. And the costs are passed on to the consumers and us.”
Union works to sabotage unity of Minnesota nurses’ struggle
By Matt Rigel, 28 June 2019
The Minnesota Nurses Association is working to sell out nurses in Minneapolis-St. Paul metro region by negotiating contracts at some hospitals while others remain unsettled.
New petrochemical complex could create a “cancer alley” on Ohio River
By John Ashbrook, 28 June 2019
The Trump administration is backing a tri-state effort to build a huge fossil fuel processing facility that threatens public health and the environment.
Greek dockers plan 24-hour strike; Irish health workers strike; sit-in strike at South African chrome mine
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
28 June 2019
Greek dock workers have announced a 24-hour strike on Wednesday July 3, which is expected to heavily impact ferry services in the busy tourist season.
National strike by Indian doctors; Taiwanese flight attendants launch indefinite strike; Sydney Harbour ferry crews walk out again
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
22 June 2019
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Striking Chilean copper miners defy police violence
By Rafael Azul, 21 June 2019
Last Tuesday, police attacked striking copper miners at the Chuquicamata mine in Chile.
Australian workers and youth support SEP rallies defending Assange
By our reporters, 21 June 2019
The hostility of ordinary people to the US attempts to prosecute Assange stands in stark contrast to the complicity of the political and media establishment.
Italian and French dockers refuse to load ship to protest Saudi Arabia war in the Yemen; UK Bridgend Ford workers strike vote against closure
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
21 June 2019
Protests against the Saudi war in Yemen continued by French and Italian dockworkers, while Ford workers in Britain voted 83 percent for strike action against threats to shutter the facility.
Vote no to union sellout of New Zealand teachers! Mobilise the working class against the Ardern Labour government!
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 18 June 2019
Following last month’s historic strike, the primary and secondary teacher unions are seeking to impose a sellout deal and shut down the teachers’ struggle.
On eve of auto contract talks, VW workers in Tennessee reject UAW again
By Jerry White, 17 June 2019
Workers in Chattanooga were correct to reject, for the second time, “representation” by the United Auto Workers, a corrupt agent of corporate management.
Millions march in Hong Kong against extradition law
By Ben McGrath, 17 June 2019
The huge demonstration on Sunday is an indication of widespread anger in Hong Kong, not only over democratic rights, but the city’s worsening social crisis.
As UAW stonewalls about contract talks
Faurecia workers voice their anger and determination to fight
By George Kirby and Tim Rivers, 17 June 2019
Faurecia workers face near-poverty level wages that force many workers to work two full-time jobs, for a total of at least 80 hours a week, just to make ends meet.
Minnesota Nurses Association announces sellout tentative deal at Children’s Hospitals in Minneapolis-St. Paul
By Jonas Boquist, 17 June 2019
It has been many decades since the unions have launched a nationwide strike in any industry. In its place they have adopted the program of union-management collaboration."
Indian health workers demand fixed salaries; Bangladesh fishermen demonstrate; NZ disability care workers strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
15 June 2019
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Mexican teachers hold vigil over pay issues
Workers Struggles: The Americas
11 June 2019
Teachers in the state of Michoacán have begun a protest over millions of pesos in back pay, blockading streets around the Finance Secretariat in the capital Morelia.
Thousands of Bangladesh bidi cigarette workers demonstrate; Taiwanese flight attendants protest harsh conditions; New Zealand hospital workers strike at Waikato
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
8 June 2019
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French Nutella workers strike, Tram and metro workers’ stoppage in Greek capital
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
7 June 2019
Workers at the Nutella factory in Normandy have been blockading the plant over demands for a wage increase while Greek tram workers stopped work Monday to protest the Syriza government’s attacks on public transportation.
The global assault on jobs
By Jerry White, 5 June 2019
Job cuts by the Australian telecommunications company Telstra are part of a wave of international layoffs that urgently point to the need for a globally coordinated response by the working class.
Thousands of childcare workers demonstrate in Karnataka; South Korean shipyard workers protest downsizing; NZ secondary teachers maintain industrial action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
1 June 2019
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Russian health care workers protest over wages and staffing
By Andrea Peters, 31 May 2019
Part of a wave of ongoing protests against the deplorable state of public health services in Russia, workers in Penza oblast staged a “work-to-rule” strike in late May.
Chowel India auto-parts workers arrested; Chinese teachers protest over pay; Fast food workers strike in New Zealand
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
25 May 2019
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Thousands of powerloom workers strike in Tamil Nadu; Migrant workers strike and protest in Taiwan; New Zealand teachers voting on national walkout
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
11 May 2019
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South African municipal strikers defy unions; strike continues by South African workers at Cell C phones
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
10 May 2019
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