Labor marches for peace in San Francisco » peoplesworld
Stars and Gears participated in this rally, although not as an organized group. It was heartening to see thousands of people still demonstrating against the occupation of Iraq after seven years and very little media focus. The Associated Press under estimated the crowd at the San Francisco march and rally to be "several hundred" when it clearly took up several blocks of San Francisco streets and consisted of multiple "feeder" marches that joined after the main rally in the Civic Center. The true size was probably closer to two thousand, which is still smaller than in the past considering it was on a weekend.
The anti-war movement needs to see the fact that thousands of people are still willing to march against war in the terms of what all of those people could be doing on a smaller scale in their communities. We need a diversity of tactics to educate people about the root causes of the occupations and create a dialogue about what use there is in occupying Iraq and Afghanistan.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Left critics of health care reform
There are a lot of people on the left who criticize the Obama health care reform. And with good reason - it entrenches the insurance industry and hands the already-bloated health sector a fistful of government cash.
The criticisms are still wrong.
First, they overestimate the ease with which sweeping legislation "could" be passed. Do they forget that we live in capitalism, and to pass aggressive people-first reform in a bourgeois democracy is next to impossible? To say the Democrats "could" pass stronger legislation is to buy into all the lies about bourgeois democracy. The best that can actually happen is a capital-compromised partial reform --- what is on offer now.
Second, the critics dismiss the ideological precedent of the bill: confirming universal coverage as a popular expectation. The right-wing hates this idea and would love to see it defeated, because they know that once it is established, it will be super-difficult to reverse - witness the right's decades long, still unsuccessful fight to reverse other entitlements.
If the bill passes, we set the precedent. If (or rather when) the reform proves inadequate at meeting the ideological benchmark, then political pressure will be for more reforms to build on it.
Third, since the bill will provide subsidies allowing 30-40 million uninsured poor to get coverage, the bill represents a real, positive, difference in the lives of many workers and other poor. How many of the left critics don't have health care? Have they ever met people who don't? Isn't it cold and uncaring of them to disregard to fate of millions, to sacrifice these people for the sake of the purity of their radicalism?
Of course the reform is limited, of course it is capital-compromised, of course it is not a panacea, of course it is not a substitute for a socialist program, of course it does not preclude the necessity of more radical reform and ultimately socialist revolution.
It's still the best bourgeois democracy has to offer right now. Would you rather live in a capitalist country with the ideological value of universal health care, and with significant aid for getting it to the most downtrodden citizens, or one that rejects such things? It seems like a no-brainer.
The criticisms are still wrong.
First, they overestimate the ease with which sweeping legislation "could" be passed. Do they forget that we live in capitalism, and to pass aggressive people-first reform in a bourgeois democracy is next to impossible? To say the Democrats "could" pass stronger legislation is to buy into all the lies about bourgeois democracy. The best that can actually happen is a capital-compromised partial reform --- what is on offer now.
Second, the critics dismiss the ideological precedent of the bill: confirming universal coverage as a popular expectation. The right-wing hates this idea and would love to see it defeated, because they know that once it is established, it will be super-difficult to reverse - witness the right's decades long, still unsuccessful fight to reverse other entitlements.
If the bill passes, we set the precedent. If (or rather when) the reform proves inadequate at meeting the ideological benchmark, then political pressure will be for more reforms to build on it.
Third, since the bill will provide subsidies allowing 30-40 million uninsured poor to get coverage, the bill represents a real, positive, difference in the lives of many workers and other poor. How many of the left critics don't have health care? Have they ever met people who don't? Isn't it cold and uncaring of them to disregard to fate of millions, to sacrifice these people for the sake of the purity of their radicalism?
Of course the reform is limited, of course it is capital-compromised, of course it is not a panacea, of course it is not a substitute for a socialist program, of course it does not preclude the necessity of more radical reform and ultimately socialist revolution.
It's still the best bourgeois democracy has to offer right now. Would you rather live in a capitalist country with the ideological value of universal health care, and with significant aid for getting it to the most downtrodden citizens, or one that rejects such things? It seems like a no-brainer.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
March 20th Peace Rally and March--Update from organizers
On Saturday, March 20, thousands of people will be marching in cities across the country calling for an end to
wars and occupations in Afghanistan, Iraq and everywhere. Every day people, mostly civilians, are dying in
these wars, which cost more than $1 billion every two days. Meanwhile, more than 20 million people in the U.S. have lost their jobs, homes and health benefits in the last three years. On March 20 we will be saying: “Money for Healthcare, Jobs, Housing and Education—Not for War.”
Here in San Francisco, the Executive Board of UNITE HERE Local 2 and many other unions have endorsed the March 20 march and rally. The march will be going to two of the boycotted hotels, the Hilton and the Westin St. Francis in solidarity with the hotel workers. The Local 2 workers’ fight for a decent contract and to keep healthcare benefits is important to all working people.
Flyer
wars and occupations in Afghanistan, Iraq and everywhere. Every day people, mostly civilians, are dying in
these wars, which cost more than $1 billion every two days. Meanwhile, more than 20 million people in the U.S. have lost their jobs, homes and health benefits in the last three years. On March 20 we will be saying: “Money for Healthcare, Jobs, Housing and Education—Not for War.”
Here in San Francisco, the Executive Board of UNITE HERE Local 2 and many other unions have endorsed the March 20 march and rally. The march will be going to two of the boycotted hotels, the Hilton and the Westin St. Francis in solidarity with the hotel workers. The Local 2 workers’ fight for a decent contract and to keep healthcare benefits is important to all working people.
Flyer
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Students and Education Workers Take a Stand on March 4th : Indybay
Students and Education Workers Take a Stand on March 4th : Indybay
The March 4th rallies were an exciting moment where students and education workers stood up against the budget cuts to education in California and nationwide. What started out as just a date set by an anti-cuts conference in October ballooned into a day of mass action endorsed by every major student group and education union. See the Indybay website for detailed coverage.
Stars and Gears was individually at rallies in Berkeley and Vallejo.
The March 4th rallies were an exciting moment where students and education workers stood up against the budget cuts to education in California and nationwide. What started out as just a date set by an anti-cuts conference in October ballooned into a day of mass action endorsed by every major student group and education union. See the Indybay website for detailed coverage.
Stars and Gears was individually at rallies in Berkeley and Vallejo.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Rite Aid action
Stars and Gears organized and carried out an action at a Rite Aid store in Oakland in support of the Rite Aid warehouse workers' new union. The company has been harassing, intimidating, illegally firing, etc. so we collected signatures on custom post cards to send to the company management. The cards said that the signatory was upset and would consider changing their shopping patterns away from the Rite Aid if the company kept strong-arming the union. We got plenty of signatures and the manager of the store got distressed and called his bosses, so it was a success in putting pressure on and raising awareness.
We'll continue to carry out actions in this campaign.
We'll continue to carry out actions in this campaign.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Feb. 27th, early afternoon--Solidarity with Rite Aid workers!
Stars and Gears will be outside of Rite Aid at 1400 Broadway in Oakland, distributing information on the struggle of ILWU warehouse workers in Lancaster, CA and asking them to sign postcards to Rite Aid's CEO.
Monday, February 22, 2010
EVENT: Feb 27th, Celebrate African American History
Celebrate African American History
with
Dinner & a Movie!
Soul food renderings – Bring a dish and tell about it!
Bring friends and family!
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, from 5 – 8 p.m.
Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
Suggested donation $5, no one turned away
Hosted by N. Calif. Communist Party USA
Information: (510) 251-1120 or ncalview@igc.org
The struggle for jobs, equality and peace continues!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Health care rally in SF
Stars and Gears were out at the rally for health care in SF. We handed out materials, signed stuff, and talked with people there.
There were somewhere between 50 and 100 people, with several speakers outlining how health care reform is desperately needed.
There was a doctor who talked about difficult hospital conditions.
There was an insurance industry worker who described the "death spiral" of rising premiums - premiums are increased to raise revenue, but this eventually causes people to drop their coverage, leading to increased premiums to compensate, etc. in a degenerate cycle.
There was a cancer survivor with a health care horror story. She had been successful in the corporate world, but diagnosis with cancer led her to loss of job, hence loss of insurance, and eventually, to financial ruin. She warned: "it can happen to you."
The speakers wanted Senate Democrats to use reconciliation protocol so that their majority would tell. They recognized that a more comprehensive and aggressive health care reform would be ideal, but saw the bill in congress as an important partial victory.
At the end the crowd chanted "what do we want? health care! when do we want it? now!"
Monday, February 15, 2010
Labor campaigns vs. NUMMI closure » peoplesworld
Labor campaigns vs. NUMMI closure » peoplesworld
By David Bester
FREMONT, Calif. - Labor and community allies are joining with workers at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) plant as they and their union, United Auto Workers Local 2244, ratchet up pressure to keep the plant open despite Toyota's decision to shut it down in March.
NUMMI, begun as a Toyota-General Motors joint venture in 1984, employs about 4,700 UAW members and assures an estimated 50,000 more California jobs. Last year, after bankrupt GM pulled out, Toyota said it would close the plant. The workers and their allies, including elected officials, have campaigned against the closing ever since.
Many unions showed their support at a spirited rally Feb. 12 at union headquarters, across the street from the plant.
Local 2244 president Sergio Santos drew resounding applause when he told the crowd, "We want the company to review and reverse their decision to close our factory!" California Labor Federation head Art Pulaski got the hall chanting, "Stop your plan to close us down, don't be the bad guys in this town."
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, snowed in on the East Coast, told the rally by video, "Toyota betrays American workers ... Toyota - do not kill American jobs." Calling Toyota the most popular car brand in California, Trumka drew cheers as he warned, "Toyota shouldn't think they can destroy our jobs and communities and then sell us their cars."
State Treasurer Bill Lockyer wondered out loud why, among Toyota's many plants, they chose to close the one with a unionized work force. Then he pounced: "That's why this is a national issue!"
Noting that Toyota used to be known for loyalty to its workers and for a quality product, UAW National Vice President Bob King said the new management has "lost its way," as shown by the closure, the safety recall, and the apologies of Mr. Toyota himself. "If they close the Fremont NUMMI facility," he thundered, "we will not buy another Toyota."
"We Teamsters know how to boycott," declared Rome Aloise, Western Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. "We'll show you how to shut this company down... It's not too late to save this plant. We're with you!"
Since California is a big market for Toyota, the fightback was projected as both a boycott and public awareness-raising.
Foreshadowing coming actions at dealerships, Bargaining Chair Javier Contreras confidently predicted, "We're going to make ‘em call the corporation and say ‘why don't you get these guys outta my front yard?'"
The very next day, union members gathered at Toyota's dealership on Oakland's Oakport Street, holding banners reading, "Toyota-Lexus: A Danger to California," and "Toyota - Killing California Jobs. Theirs was among 14 boycott demonstrations at area dealerships.
"We're here to get the support of fellow Americans to keep that plant open," Javier Contreras Jr. said. He said the dealership had sold no cars that day, and told of getting a call saying "their manager's pretty upset right now." Earlier, police, summoned to dislodge the workers, determined they were on public land and had the right to stay.
Contreras Jr. said NUMMI workers had not been offered jobs at other Toyota plants. Everyone agreed that it was no accident that NUMMI, Toyota's only unionized plant, was being targeted for harsh treatment.
Communications Workers of America Local 9412 leaders Cookie Cameron and Keith Gibbs were out in support of their "brothers and sisters" at NUMMI. They related how the UAW supported them in their recent dispute with AT&T, and emphasized that everyone will lose if NUMMI is shuttered.
The UAW and its allies plan to demonstrate at dealerships every day.
Photo: David Bester Left to right: Keith Gibbs (CWA), Javier Contreras Jr. (UAW), Julie (CWA), Cookie Cameron (CWA).
By David Bester
FREMONT, Calif. - Labor and community allies are joining with workers at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) plant as they and their union, United Auto Workers Local 2244, ratchet up pressure to keep the plant open despite Toyota's decision to shut it down in March.
NUMMI, begun as a Toyota-General Motors joint venture in 1984, employs about 4,700 UAW members and assures an estimated 50,000 more California jobs. Last year, after bankrupt GM pulled out, Toyota said it would close the plant. The workers and their allies, including elected officials, have campaigned against the closing ever since.
Many unions showed their support at a spirited rally Feb. 12 at union headquarters, across the street from the plant.
Local 2244 president Sergio Santos drew resounding applause when he told the crowd, "We want the company to review and reverse their decision to close our factory!" California Labor Federation head Art Pulaski got the hall chanting, "Stop your plan to close us down, don't be the bad guys in this town."
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, snowed in on the East Coast, told the rally by video, "Toyota betrays American workers ... Toyota - do not kill American jobs." Calling Toyota the most popular car brand in California, Trumka drew cheers as he warned, "Toyota shouldn't think they can destroy our jobs and communities and then sell us their cars."
State Treasurer Bill Lockyer wondered out loud why, among Toyota's many plants, they chose to close the one with a unionized work force. Then he pounced: "That's why this is a national issue!"
Noting that Toyota used to be known for loyalty to its workers and for a quality product, UAW National Vice President Bob King said the new management has "lost its way," as shown by the closure, the safety recall, and the apologies of Mr. Toyota himself. "If they close the Fremont NUMMI facility," he thundered, "we will not buy another Toyota."
"We Teamsters know how to boycott," declared Rome Aloise, Western Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. "We'll show you how to shut this company down... It's not too late to save this plant. We're with you!"
Since California is a big market for Toyota, the fightback was projected as both a boycott and public awareness-raising.
Foreshadowing coming actions at dealerships, Bargaining Chair Javier Contreras confidently predicted, "We're going to make ‘em call the corporation and say ‘why don't you get these guys outta my front yard?'"
The very next day, union members gathered at Toyota's dealership on Oakland's Oakport Street, holding banners reading, "Toyota-Lexus: A Danger to California," and "Toyota - Killing California Jobs. Theirs was among 14 boycott demonstrations at area dealerships.
"We're here to get the support of fellow Americans to keep that plant open," Javier Contreras Jr. said. He said the dealership had sold no cars that day, and told of getting a call saying "their manager's pretty upset right now." Earlier, police, summoned to dislodge the workers, determined they were on public land and had the right to stay.
Contreras Jr. said NUMMI workers had not been offered jobs at other Toyota plants. Everyone agreed that it was no accident that NUMMI, Toyota's only unionized plant, was being targeted for harsh treatment.
Communications Workers of America Local 9412 leaders Cookie Cameron and Keith Gibbs were out in support of their "brothers and sisters" at NUMMI. They related how the UAW supported them in their recent dispute with AT&T, and emphasized that everyone will lose if NUMMI is shuttered.
The UAW and its allies plan to demonstrate at dealerships every day.
Photo: David Bester Left to right: Keith Gibbs (CWA), Javier Contreras Jr. (UAW), Julie (CWA), Cookie Cameron (CWA).
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Health Care for America NOW! | Event | 40 Days/40 Nights to Health Reform - We voted for change. Get it done now. Get it done right!
Health Care for America NOW! | Event | 40 Days/40 Nights to Health Reform - We voted for change. Get it done now. Get it done right!
Rally to send Congress the message that we voted for change and they need to finish health reform now and finish it right.
Time: Wednesday, February 17 from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Host: Patrick Romano
Location:
Justin Herman Plaza (San Francisco, CA)
1 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94101
Why rally?:
We voted for change in 2008. For more than a year we’ve mobilized to reform health care, rein in Wall Street, create good jobs, win workers' rights and beat back climate change. We’re fed up. We want the change we voted for and we want it now! Because if the insurance companies and big corporations win, we lose.
We’re rallying to send that message. Join us!
Rally to send Congress the message that we voted for change and they need to finish health reform now and finish it right.
Time: Wednesday, February 17 from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Host: Patrick Romano
Location:
Justin Herman Plaza (San Francisco, CA)
1 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94101
Why rally?:
We voted for change in 2008. For more than a year we’ve mobilized to reform health care, rein in Wall Street, create good jobs, win workers' rights and beat back climate change. We’re fed up. We want the change we voted for and we want it now! Because if the insurance companies and big corporations win, we lose.
We’re rallying to send that message. Join us!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Alameda Labor Council, AFL-CIO - Oakland Airport screeners, UAW to rally with AFL-CIO President Trumka
AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka will be in the East Bay on Friday at two rallies.
Alameda Labor Council, AFL-CIO - Oakland Airport screeners to rally with AFL-CIO President Trumka
From AlamedaLabor.org:
"Stand up for organizing rights
Support Transportation Security Officers organizing with AFGE at Oakland Airport
Friday, February 12 - 1-2pm
Shuttle & carpool from ILWU Local 6, 99 Hegenberger Rd, beginning at 12:45 pm.
For this rally, you can park at the ILWU 6 hall."
and:
RALLY TO SAVE CALIFORNIA JOBS
Friday, February 12, 2010
2:45 p.m.
UAW Local 2244
45201 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA
AFL-CIO National President, Richard Trumka
California State Treasurer, Bill Lockyer
AFL-CIO California Labor Federation Chief Officer, Art Pulaski
UAW Vice President, Bob King
Alameda Labor Council, AFL-CIO - Oakland Airport screeners to rally with AFL-CIO President Trumka
From AlamedaLabor.org:
"Stand up for organizing rights
Support Transportation Security Officers organizing with AFGE at Oakland Airport
Friday, February 12 - 1-2pm
Shuttle & carpool from ILWU Local 6, 99 Hegenberger Rd, beginning at 12:45 pm.
For this rally, you can park at the ILWU 6 hall."
and:
RALLY TO SAVE CALIFORNIA JOBS
Friday, February 12, 2010
2:45 p.m.
UAW Local 2244
45201 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA
AFL-CIO National President, Richard Trumka
California State Treasurer, Bill Lockyer
AFL-CIO California Labor Federation Chief Officer, Art Pulaski
UAW Vice President, Bob King
Monday, February 1, 2010
Rite Aid workers fight for first contract » peoplesworld
Rite Aid workers fight for first contract » peoplesworld
Juan wrote this interesting article a couple of weeks ago about a union struggle that has been taking place in Lancaster, California for years. The ILWU has organized Rite Aid distribution workers and is fighting for a first contract against management who are acting in bad faith. While the ILWU mostly represents dock workers, this struggle gives a new dimension because you can't put up a picket line in the middle of the ocean but you can in front of a Rite Aid store. The YCL in Oakland is organizing in support of the Rite Aid distribution workers and we hope to show creative solidarity with these fellow workers.
Juan wrote this interesting article a couple of weeks ago about a union struggle that has been taking place in Lancaster, California for years. The ILWU has organized Rite Aid distribution workers and is fighting for a first contract against management who are acting in bad faith. While the ILWU mostly represents dock workers, this struggle gives a new dimension because you can't put up a picket line in the middle of the ocean but you can in front of a Rite Aid store. The YCL in Oakland is organizing in support of the Rite Aid distribution workers and we hope to show creative solidarity with these fellow workers.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Update on internet organizing
Information and updates on our internet activities has been moved to starsandgears.blogspot.com
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Welcome to the New CPUSA.org! » cpusa
Welcome to the New CPUSA.org! » cpusa
Posted using ShareThis
I think all of the readers of this blog would be interested in exploring the upgraded cpusa.org, which is easier to navigate and has lots of new content.
Posted using ShareThis
I think all of the readers of this blog would be interested in exploring the upgraded cpusa.org, which is easier to navigate and has lots of new content.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Update and contact form--JOIN US!
Socialism is the future, so why wait? Now is a better time than ever to become involved with the Young Communist League. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area we are meeting regularly and starting to build a working club. As always, keep checking this blog for updates. You can now join and get in contact with us more easily by downloading and e-mailing our new contact form. You can also use the form below.
Our next regular meeting will on January 30th at 10:00 AM at the Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library at 6501 Telegraph Ave in Oakland. We are planning a social type activity to take place that evening or in the near future.
Our next regular meeting will on January 30th at 10:00 AM at the Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library at 6501 Telegraph Ave in Oakland. We are planning a social type activity to take place that evening or in the near future.
Friday, January 8, 2010
The main activity of our group consists of participating in progressive struggles and recruitment.
Although we are revolutionary anti-capitalists, we realize that just as it is criminal not to act revolutionarily in a revolutionary situation, so it is wrong to try to act revolutionarily in an unrevolutionary situation.
Our task is therefore to struggle along with the masses trying to win reforms, while at the same time representing our socialist views and trying to develop anti-capitalist political consciousness. This, rather than ultra-radicalism, is the way to pave the road to a revolutionary movement, and ultimately a new society.
We want working people and progressives to understand that we are unhesitating allies in all of their fights, and we want our members and prospective members to know that they will get the opportunity to participate fully in them!
Although we are revolutionary anti-capitalists, we realize that just as it is criminal not to act revolutionarily in a revolutionary situation, so it is wrong to try to act revolutionarily in an unrevolutionary situation.
Our task is therefore to struggle along with the masses trying to win reforms, while at the same time representing our socialist views and trying to develop anti-capitalist political consciousness. This, rather than ultra-radicalism, is the way to pave the road to a revolutionary movement, and ultimately a new society.
We want working people and progressives to understand that we are unhesitating allies in all of their fights, and we want our members and prospective members to know that they will get the opportunity to participate fully in them!
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