Arden House workers win great contract
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Workers at Arden House nursing home here unanimously ratified a “great contract” Aug. 16 morning after being locked out for two weeks. They won substantial increases in wages and benefits as a result of workers’ solidarity and support from family, elected officials and other unions.
World Notes
Chile: Pinochet kin charged with tax evasion; S. Africa: Probe farm workers’ eviction; Britain: Strike supports catering workers; China: Unsafe mines sharply criticized; Haiti: Members of Congress write Bush
UN spotlights challenges facing worlds youth
UNITED NATIONS — International Youth Day was commemorated here Aug. 12 with activities celebrating youth culture in all of its diversity — from Brooklyn to China — as well as more poignant reminders of the desperate situation faced by hundreds of millions of young people around the globe.
Court decision signifies new day for Cuban 5
Geoff Bottoms of the UK’s Cuba Solidarity Campaign heads up the fight for the Cuban Five in that country. Commenting on the Aug. 9 decision of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals that awarded René González, Ramon Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González, and Gerardo Hernández a new trial, Bottoms said, “We campaign for their freedom in the light of this ruling … knowing that we are pushing at an open door.”
Calif. labor walking and talking with voters
Among California labor councils getting a running start for the Nov. 8 special election is the Sacramento Central Labor Council, with affiliates in six counties stretching from the Central Valley into the Sierras. The SCLC started talking with potential voters in person and by phone on July 30.
National Clips
WASHINGTON: Federal workers stop Bush union-busting; PHILADELPHIA, Miss.: Convicted Klan terrorist released on bail; HOOVER CITY, Ala.: City Council evicts Latino resource center; ZEB MOUNTAIN, Tenn.: Activists take over mountain
Unity marks N.Y. rally against Wal-Mart
COMMACK, N.Y. — Hundreds of community residents, elected officials and members of AFL-CIO unions as well as those who recently left the federation united here Aug. 10 in a rally to stop the construction of a new Wal-Mart in nearby Dix Hills, and to oppose the policies of already existing Wal-Marts.
Texas AFL-CIO takes stand against Minutemen
HOUSTON — The Texas AFL-CIO held its 45th convention at the new, all-union Hilton Americas Hotel here Aug. 11-13. Among its decisions, the convention took a strong stand in support of immigrant rights and against racism — particularly against the “Minutemen” vigilantes who are threatening to carry out their anti-immigrant program in Houston this October.
World Youth Festival concludes with music, fighting spirit
CARACAS, Venezuela — More than 17,000 young people from around the world concluded the 16th World Festival of Youth and Students here Aug. 15 with a colorful ceremony of music, dance and fighting spirit. The festival slogan was “For peace and solidarity we struggle against war and imperialism.”
Social Security at 70: Happy Birthday, but its also time to fight
ALIQUIPPA, Pa. — If you want to start a fight in this tidy, hard-working former steel producing center, defend Bush and speak up for privatizing Social Security.
