Labor wins elections in So. Calif.
LOS ANGELES – Final election returns from the March 5 California primary once again provided ample proof that voter mobilization efforts by labor and progressive organizations around the state are resulting in some impressive victories.
Farmers Union holds convention
The National Farmers Union, a progressive farm organization, held its 100th anniversary convention in Texas March 1-4.
Celebrating Chvezs dream and vision
In California, the state government will shut down April 1 in tribute to César E. Chávez, the late founder and president of the United Farm Workers (UFW), AFL-CIO. This will mark the second celebration of the official paid state holiday signed into law by Gov. Gray Davis on Aug. 18, 2000. Over 100,000 state workers will receive a paid holiday and children in public schools will participate in a day of service and learning in Chávez’s honor.
Teachers battle for bargaining rights
CHICAGO – The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is leading a battle here to restore the bargaining rights of unions representing workers at the Chicago Board of Education and the City Colleges.
Mich. graduate students win contract
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – After four months of intense negotiation and a good-faith contract extension voted on by the union membership, members of the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) voted by a wide margin to hold a one-day walkout in protest of the failure of University of Michigan administration to move on proposals made by the students.
Enron workers find true friends
HOUSTON – When Enron’s hall of mirrors came crashing down last December, more than 4,000 workers instantly lost their jobs, health care and pensions, while most of the top executives cashed in their stock and made their getaway.
Steelworkers to Congress: protect health care
PITTSBURGH – Over 85,000 retired LTV steelworkers and their families are facing the unthinkable: living without their earned and union-negotiated health care coverage. Despite the fact the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) has lobbied since 1997 for industry trade relief, mobilized 30,000 of their members and retirees to march on the White House and poured tons of handwritten letters into congressional and presidential mail sacks, prescription drug coverage or the total health package will end for 85,000 LTV retirees on March 31. For the entire article, click on the headline. To visit the homepage of the USWA, click here.
Chvez: the man behind the holiday
“We shall strike. We shall organize boycotts. We shall demonstrate and have political campaigns. We shall pursue the revolution we have proposed. We are sons and daughters of the farm workers’ revolution, a revolution of the poor seeking bread and justice.”
Support grows for April 20 demo
Jody Dodd, a staff member of the U. S. Section of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), said the April 20 Mobilization to Stop The War at Home and Abroad is an opportunity for peace and justice advocates to express their opposition to the policies of the Bush administration that threaten a wider war abroad and a war at home with its continued attacks on the rights and democratic liberties of the American people. For the entire article, click on the headline. To visit the official website of the Stop The War march, click here.
International Notes
Greek workers plan strike April 3/India protests demand end to violence/China-Viet Nam cooperation stronger/Cuba protests remarks by U.S. official/British postal workers march vs. privatization
