Retirement, pensions and all that
The stock market grew by 248 percent between 1989 and 1998, accompanied by a skyrocketing increase in the number of households with 401(k) pension accounts. Together, they made possible the promise of a secure retirement. Or at least that’s what we’re told.
Kaiser workers win back pay in NLRB ruling
PITTSBURGH – In a case involving the longest illegal lockout in U.S. labor history, a federal administrative law judge has ordered the operating subsidiary of Kaiser Aluminum Corporation to “make whole” 3,000 steelworkers for any loss of earnings and other benefits during the company’s illegal 20-month lockout in 1999-2000, the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) announced here May 15.
Israeli student condemns occupation
Haggai Matar, an 18-year-old Israeli high school senior, first strikes the eye as a quiet, studious, and modest young man. He may be all of that, but when he speaks, he speaks with conviction and power, and his message packs a wallop: Matar, along with 62 other Israeli Jewish teens, have publicly stated that they will refuse to serve the Israeli government’s “aggressive and racist policy” against the Palestinian people.
NAACP announces action against racial disparity
ATLANTA – The NAACP announced May 16 a major directive against states where racial disparity still exists in public school systems.
Refuseniks speak to full house
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Every pew in Westminster Presbyterian Church was full when two Israeli reserve soldiers, who have proclaimed their refusal to serve in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, spoke here May 22. For the entire article, click on the headline. To visit the a page listing the refuseniks and their goals, click here.
Janitors rally at Laclede Gas
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 50 rallied outside of the Laclede Gas Building here on May 25.
Tortilla tossing protested at graduation
Schoolteacher Ray Siquieros and a group of his pupils protested “disrespectful” tortilla tossing by graduates at the University of Arizona (UA) commencement ceremony in Tucson May 11.
Milwaukee kicks off campaign to free Cuban Five
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Committee to Free the Cuban Five kicked off its efforts with a gathering here May 19 of about 30 activists and a discussion with special guest Esperanza Luzbert, head of the United States group of the Cuban Peoples’ Friendship Institute.
Health care: Mill closes but problems stay
The fortunes of Sterling, Ill., a small town of 14,000-plus, due west of Chicago, have moved up and down with the fortunes of Northwestern Steel & Wire (NW Steel). Today the fortunes of both are scraping bottom.
International notes
Leaders highlight poverty, inequality/Nepal emergency extended over strong opposition/Germans don’t like euro/Cuban, South African CPs sign agreement/Panama wants U.S. to clear explosives
