June 30 THIS WEEK IN LABOR
Labor support grows for single-payer health insurance Warning: Popcorn ‘butter’ deemed health hazard Nursing home workers take to the streets Trade unionists head to U.S. Social Forum
Cure for summer job blues
It’s always been hard for young people to find jobs. In the 1960s, the federal government began a summer jobs program for youth. In 1999, the program provided 500,000 jobs at the cost of $871 million. The next year, the Republican Congress effectively ended the program.
June 30 WORLD NOTES
Nigeria: General strike settled Palestine: Refugees still suffer Australia: Military links grow with U.S., Japan Canada: Afghanistan competes as uranium supplier Haiti: Drivers’ strike reflects crisis
Separatist scheming imperils Bolivia
Bolivian army commander Freddy Bersatti is worried about “subversive groups” and “abnormal movements.” His worries intensified after a two-day meeting in Santa Cruz of an Autonomous Council following which, on June 18, well-heeled right-wing separatist leaders issued a manifesto promising stepped-up attacks on Bolivia’s socialist government.
Havana ponders recognizing same-sex unions
Cubans are debating a new set of proposals to update the country’s Family Code to include the legal recognition of same-sex relationships and transgender people. Supporters are hoping that the National Assembly will approve the reform package later this year.
Cubans mourn Vilma Espn, womens leader
Vilma Espín Guillois, a legendary heroine of the Cuban Revolution, died June 18 in Havana. She was 77. A student activist in the struggle against the Batista dictatorship, Espín later emerged as a courageous guerilla fighter in the successful drive led by Fidel Castro to topple the corrupt, gangster-infested U.S.-backed regime.
Activists gather in Atlanta for Social Forum
Many thousands of trade unionists, peace activists, community organizers, students and young workers are converging on the U.S. Social Forum in Atlanta this week to march, rally and develop strategies in their fight against the ultra-right
Oakland housing activists demand City Council action
OAKLAND, Calif. — Expressing concerns shared by many California communities, affordable housing activists gathered on the City Hall steps, June 19, to protest long delays by the City Council and a blue-ribbon commission in preparing proposals to increase affordable housing and to protect tenants whose buildings are converted into condos.
June 30 National Clips
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.: Demand humane treatment for jailed immigrants EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.: Global concerts launch campaign on global warming RIVERDALE, Ill.: Jackson says get the guns off city streets RENO, Nev.: State universities OK arming college staff
In Ohio, Fathers Day rally backs immigrant rights
PAINESVILLE, Ohio — With raids and arrests of undocumented workers spreading, hundreds of farmworkers held a silent, solemn Father’s Day march and rally in this mid-sized town about 30 miles east of Cleveland.
