North America
More revelations of Justice Department crackdown on the press
By Ed Hightower, 24 May 2013
The Obama administration’s investigation into a leak to James Rosen, the chief Washington correspondent of Fox News, extends well beyond what was originally thought.
“I tell my people…we can never make enough profit”
Caterpillar CEO defends wage-cutting
By Niles Williamson, 24 May 2013
Explaining why he is seeking to impose wage cuts of up to 50 percent, Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman explained that his corporation could never make enough profits.
Los Angeles: Newly-elected mayor promises more cuts and privatization
By Dan Conway, 24 May 2013
The election was most notable for its extremely low turnout, with only 19 percent of registered voters taking part.
SEP campaigners oppose Detroit home evictions
By a campaign team, 24 May 2013
Supporters of Socialist Equality Party Detroit mayoral candidate D’Artagnan Collier spoke this week to residents facing eviction at the Henry Street apartments.
University of California medical workers strike
By Norisa Diaz, 24 May 2013
Workers at UC Medical Centers across California went on a two-day strike this week
US housing distress deepens for renters
By Debra Watson, 23 May 2013
Today more than half of all renter households pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing, double the rate in 1960 when one in four renters were considered cost-burdened.
UAW and Fiat battle over union’s multi-billion dollar stake in Chrysler
By Shannon Jones, 23 May 2013
The United Auto Workers is seeking billions of dollars for its holdings in Chrysler Corporation as Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne prepares for a merger of the two automakers.
California nurses go on weeklong strike
By Evan Winters, 23 May 2013
In yet another effort to isolate its own membership, the California Nurses Association has called a weeklong strike.
Devastating tornado kills dozens in Oklahoma City
By Niles Williamson, 21 May 2013
On Monday afternoon, a massive tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, leaving a mile-wide swath of devastation.
Washington’s hacking charges escalate pressure on China
By Alex Lantier, 21 May 2013
The New York Times on Monday published a front-page article reiterating unsubstantiated allegations that the Chinese military is carrying out cyberwarfare against US corporations.
New revelations of US government spying on the press
By Ed Hightower, 21 May 2013
The FBI followed and obtained emails from Fox News chief Washington correspondent James Rosen as part of an investigation of a 2009 leak of information from the State Department.
Employers to offer bare-bones coverage under health care law
By Kate Randall, 21 May 2013
US employers will be able to avoid penalties under the Obama-backed health care legislation, while offering token plans to their workforces.
Obama to college graduates: “No room for excuses”
By Andre Damon, 21 May 2013
US President Barack Obama used his commencement speech at Morehouse College on Sunday to insist that if young people are poor or unemployed, it’s their own fault.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
21 May 2013
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Union limits UC Medical workers to two-day strike
By our reporters, 21 May 2013
Some 13,000 patient care workers are set to strike on Tuesday and Wednesday at University of California Medical Centers after voting by 97 percent to walk out.
Hedge funds eye Detroit for “hostile takeover”
By Zac Corrigan, 20 May 2013
Detroit’s $8.6 billion in junk bond debt is being eyed by hedge funds eager to play their part in the looting of the city.
Hundreds of New York City Access-a-Ride workers lose their jobs
By Alan Whyte and A. Woodson, 17 May 2013
A month after the betrayal of the school bus workers in New York City, another group of transit workers have been hit with job losses and massive pay cuts.
House hearing whitewashes US government seizure of AP phone records
By Barry Grey, 16 May 2013
A House committee that heard testimony from Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday initiated a bipartisan whitewash of the virtually unprecedented assault on press freedom carried out by the Obama administration.
US Defense Department to furlough 650,000 civilian workers
By Naomi Spencer, 16 May 2013
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday announced plans to impose 11 days of unpaid leave for most of the Pentagon’s 800,000 civilian employees beginning in July.
Union seeks sellout deal at South Milwaukee Caterpillar plant
By Niles Williamson, 16 May 2013
A week after the collapse of negotiations between Caterpillar and the United Steelworkers in South Milwaukee, the union is determined to push through a concessions contract.
Schools in Buena Vista, Michigan may reopen after board approves cuts
By Shannon Jones, 16 May 2013
The state of Michigan restored funding to the district after the school board agreed to a drastic deficit reduction plan.
Detroit’s emergency manager outlines slash and burn “restructuring” plan
By Jerry White, 14 May 2013
Kevyn Orr released a report on Monday, outlining a “comprehensive restructuring plan” for the city involving savage cuts to city workers’ jobs, wages and pensions and the elimination of services to a large section of the population.
Mother’s Day shooting in New Orleans injures 19 people
By Fred Mazelis, 14 May 2013
Eight years after Hurricane Katrina, poor and working class sections of the city remain devastated by unemployment and poverty.
Pontiac, Michigan school crisis provokes outcry from parents, teachers
By a WSWS reporting team, 14 May 2013
The district has agreed to massive budget cuts as a condition for receiving state aid.
Philadelphia mayor threatens elimination of school programs, staff
By Nick Barrickman, 14 May 2013
City officials have seized upon the school system’s $300 million budget deficit to demand further cutbacks in education.
Twenty-four dead in Mexican truck explosion
By Rafael Azul, 14 May 2013
A tanker truck carrying pressurized LP gas careened off a highway near Mexico City killing 24 people.
California hospital workers vote overwhelmingly to strike
By a reporting team, 14 May 2013
13,000 workers are set to strike against University of California austerity measures.
Congressional hearing confirms
FBI, Homeland Security withheld information on Boston bombing suspects from local, state police
By Barry Grey, 11 May 2013
The Boston police commissioner and a top Massachusetts Homeland Security official told Congress Thursday that the local and state police were never informed by the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security of multiple warnings about Tamerlan Tsarnaev.
Ontario: NDP preparing to support another Liberal austerity budget
By Keith Jones, 11 May 2013
With strong backing from the trade unions, the New Democratic Party is again preparing to enable Ontario’s minority Liberal government to impose a big business austerity budget.
Contract talks break down at S. Milwaukee Caterpillar plant
By Niles Williamson, 11 May 2013
Contract negotiations between the United Steelworkers and Caterpillar in South Milwaukee broke down this week, only hours after talks resumed.
Unions, ministers organize protest in Detroit over fast-food worker pay
By Shannon Jones, 11 May 2013
The Detroit protests held Friday at locations across the city shut down several fast-food restaurants.
Video: Detroit tenants denounce mass evictions
By Jerome White and James Brewer, 11 May 2013
Hundreds of low-income Detroit residents are being forced from their homes as part of a plan by Detroit officials to gentrify the downtown area.
Massachusetts high school student charged as terrorist for Facebook post
By Tom Carter, 11 May 2013
In a prosecution that has all the hallmarks of a calculated test case, teenager Cameron D’Ambrosio faces up to 20 years in prison on “terror” charges for making reference to the Boston Marathon bombings in a Facebook post.
Seattle transit agency proposes deep cuts in service
By Angelo Bosworth, 11 May 2013
Seattle’s Metro Transit plans to slash service by one third to address a $75 million funding shortfall.
Contractors, Bloomberg step up attack on New York City school bus workers
By Dan Brennan, 9 May 2013
The New York City Department of Education announced the next round of school bus contracts, which threaten to lead to mass layoffs and the replacement of current drivers and escorts with part-time workers earning a fraction of the pay.
Patriot Coal bankruptcy threatens thousands of US miners, retirees
By Clement Daly, 8 May 2013
Patriot is attempting to use the bankruptcy court to rid itself of obligations owed to more than 1,650 active union miners and 13,000 retirees.
Steelworkers union exposes workers to lockout threat as talks resume at South Milwaukee Caterpillar plant
By Niles Williamson, 8 May 2013
Having rejected strike action, the United Steelworkers is seeking to impose a sellout agreement with the heavy equipment maker.
Obama warns against “cynicism” at Ohio State commencement address
By Andre Damon, 7 May 2013
The US president, whose tenure in office has underscored the corporate control of both political parties, counseled students not to be “cynical” about government.
US preexisting conditions health plan closed for enrollment
By Kate Randall, 7 May 2013
An estimated 40,000 people with serious medical conditions will be turned away from a federal insurance plan that is running out of funds.
Obama education secretary, Michigan governor promote school “reform”
By Jerry White, 7 May 2013
Obama administration Education Secretary Arne Duncan joined Michigan’s Republican Governor Rick Snyder on Monday to promote the attack on teachers and public education.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
7 May 2013
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University of California medical workers hold strike vote
By Norisa Diaz, 1 May 2013
Medical workers at a UC Medical Center spoke to the WSWS about the alarming conditions facing both workers and patients.
South Milwaukee Caterpillar workers reject sellout contract
By Niles Williamson and Nicholas Russo, 1 May 2013
Eight hundred workers at Caterpillar’s Global Mining plant in South Milwaukee rejected a six year concessions contract on Tuesday by a large margin.
US moves to expand Internet wiretaps
By Andre Damon, 30 April 2013
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking to force companies such as Google, Dropbox and Facebook to create backdoors for wiretapping users’ communications.
Explosion at Detroit oil refinery raises danger of wider disaster
By Bryan Dyne, 30 April 2013
The explosion of a diesel fuel tank at the Marathon Detroit Refinery raises the specter of a larger industrial disaster in the Detroit area.
Study finds nearly half of New Yorkers living in or near poverty
By Philip Guelpa, 30 April 2013
A new report by the New York City Commission on Economic Opportunity finds that over 20 percent of the residents in America’s most populous city live in poverty.
US student loan interest rates expected to double
By Trent Novak, 30 April 2013
Beginning on July 1, interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans for college undergraduates are expected to double from 3.4 to 6.8 percent.
Teachers’ struggles escalate across Mexico
By Rafael Azul, 30 April 2013
Tens of thousands of Mexican teachers are mobilizing against education reforms that attack job security and subordinate public education to corporate interests.
University of California’s medical workers to hold strike vote
By Thomas Gaist, 30 April 2013
Thirteen-thousand patient care workers in the University of California’s medical system will vote on a possible strike starting April 30.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
30 April 2013
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Reject the USW sellout of S. Milwaukee Caterpillar workers! For an independent struggle by the working class!
By Statement of the Socialist Equality Party, 29 April 2013
The SEP is distributing the following statement to the 800 workers at Caterpillar’s Global Mining plant in South Milwaukee who are voting today on a six-year concessions contract approved by the United Steelworkers (USW).
After strike vote against wage-cutting demands
IAM agrees to contract extension at New York Air Brake
By Steve Filips, 29 April 2013
New York Brake is demanding wage cuts of up to $4.15 an hour for workers whose pay averages $20.88.
Chicago food service and retail workers protest low wages
By Shane Feratu, 27 April 2013
About 500 fast food and retail workers in downtown Chicago walked out in a one-day protest.
Victimized Detroit Chrysler worker reinstated
By Shannon Jones, 25 April 2013
Alex Wassell returned to work last week after more than one month off the job.
The Boston bombings and the roots of terror
By Bill Van Auken, 24 April 2013
Of all the possible explanations for the bombings in Boston, the least plausible is the official claim that the main suspect in the case had fallen beneath the FBI’s radar.
Canadian government unveils “terror plot” as it adopts draconian new law
By Keith Jones, 24 April 2013
Canadian authorities announced Monday afternoon they had broken up a terrorist conspiracy, just as the country’s parliament was to debate new anti-terrorism legislation that would give the state draconian new powers.
Snyder administration plot to privatize Michigan schools exposed
By Jerry White, 24 April 2013
Officials in Governor Rick Snyder’s administration have been holding secret meetings to map out a strategy to finance corporate-run schools with public funds.
350 working without a contract at Master Lock in Milwaukee
By Niles Williamson, 23 April 2013
Workers represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) at the Master Lock facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin have been working without a contract since April 3.
US sequester furloughs delay flights, threaten airport safety
By Kate Randall, 23 April 2013
Unpaid furloughs imposed on air traffic controllers will result in flight delays and cancellations at airports across the US.
A tale of two cities
By Barry Grey, 23 April 2013
The Boston bombings continue to dominate the American media, while the Texas fertilizer plant explosion has virtually dropped out of the news.
Boston bombing suspect gets death penalty charge
By Bill Van Auken, 23 April 2013
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the 19-year-old surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings, was formally charged Monday before a federal judge, who was brought to his hospital bed.
Detroit emergency manager proclaims power to end collective bargaining
By James Brewer, 23 April 2013
Emergency manager Kevyn Orr claims he is under no legal obligation to participate in bargaining with public safety employees, including police, firefighters and emergency medical responders.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
23 April 2013
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Ontario Liberals to keep raising post-secondary tuition fees
By Dylan Lubao, 19 April 2013
Ontario’s NDP-backed minority Liberal government has announced plans to raise university tuition fees to $8,000 by 2016.
Child poverty in US among the highest in developed world
By Nick Barrickman, 18 April 2013
A new report by the United Nations details the growing levels of poverty facing children in the major capitalist countries, with the US ranking near the bottom on all metrics.
Media hysteria grows over Boston bombing
By Barry Grey, 18 April 2013
While the nation, including the people of Boston, have remained calm, deeply saddened and shocked by the bombings as they are, the media and their leading personnel present a picture of disorientation and panic.
Sequestration cuts hit Michigan
By Lawrence Porter, 18 April 2013
As a result of the sequester cuts signed by President Obama, $150 million will be cut from programs that particularly affect the poor in Michigan.
New York stop-and-frisk trial bares massive police abuse
By Sandy English, 18 April 2013
Plaintiffs in an ongoing federal trial have alleged that New York’s Police Department has violated the constitutional rights of millions of people in its decade-long stop-and-frisk program.
Homeless in San Diego, California
Life on the street in “America’s Finest City”
By Jake Dean and Toby Reese, 18 April 2013
San Diego, California ranks third in the nation for the number of homeless, with estimates of 10,000.
Mass layoffs in Illinois
By Shane Feratu and Jeff Lusanne, 18 April 2013
A large number of companies in Illinois have announced closures and job cuts.
The US Justice Department brief for the assassination of US citizens
Part one
By Tom Carter and Eric London, 18 April 2013
Since the publication of the white paper, leading figures in the US political establishment have declared that the asserted power to assassinate includes the power to kill US citizens on US soil.
Locked-out American Crystal workers narrowly pass concessions contract
By Michael Stapleton, 18 April 2013
The ratification ended the 20-month lockout by American Crystal Sugar Company.
Media rush to judgment in Boston Marathon bombing
By Barry Grey, 16 April 2013
At least three people were killed and 144 wounded, including 15 with critical injuries, by two bomb explosions in downtown Boston.
Emergency manager to impose contract on Detroit firefighters
By WSWS reporting team, 16 April 2013
Detroit firefighters will have a new contract imposed on them by emergency manager Kevyn Orr starting July 1.
US Head Start preschool program hit with sequester cuts
By Danielle DeSaxe, 16 April 2013
The Obama administration has announced that Head Start, a federally funded program that provides preschool for low-income families, will face cuts.
US Postal Service announces new attacks on workers
By James Brewer, 16 April 2013
The USPS Board of Governors announced its intention to reopen the contracts of postal workers in order to impose new wage and benefit concessions.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
16 April 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Obama budget slashes Social Security, Medicare
By Andre Damon, 11 April 2013
US President Barack Obama unveiled his budget proposal Wednesday, calling for a historic attack on Medicare and Social Security.
Newark, New Jersey students protest education cuts
By Dan Brennan, 11 April 2013
Hundreds of high school students in Newark, New Jersey walked out of class Tuesday to protest millions of dollars in education cuts.
What is the Common Core US education initiative?
By Allison Smith and Phyllis Scherrer, 11 April 2013
Common Core standards are being implemented in K-12 classrooms across the US this year. They have been promoted by the Obama administration, corporations and teachers’ unions.
Common Core: A California kindergarten teacher’s experience
By our reporter, 11 April 2013
A kindergarten teacher in the Long Beach Unified School District in Southern California spoke with the WSWS about the impact of the Common Core curriculum.
US states de-fund public education through expanded voucher schemes
By Zac Corrigan, 11 April 2013
Various state programs divert an ever-increasing amount of funding from the public education system to private schools.
Detroit area gas explosion reveals deadly state of pipeline infrastructure
By James Brewer, 11 April 2013
Utility company Consumers Energy released an interim report that covers up its responsibility in a recent lethal explosion.
General Motors in drive to cut skilled trades jobs in US plants
By Shannon Jones, 11 April 2013
GM is seeking to eliminate skilled and high seniority workers in order to slash costs.
Obama defends plan to cut Medicare and Social Security
By Andre Damon, 9 April 2013
After media reports that the Obama administration plans to slash Medicare and Social Security in its latest budget proposal due to be released Wednesday, government officials have been seeking to diffuse popular opposition to the cuts.
Communities across US feel impact of sequestration cuts
By Kate Randall, 9 April 2013
The effects of the sequestration order signed by President Obama on March 1 began to be felt in earnest beginning April 1.
Thousands of scientists protest US cuts to medical research
By Nick Barrickman, 9 April 2013
Up to 15,000 scientists from around the country attended Monday’s rally, which was called by the American Association for Cancer Research.
AT&T workers reject contract, face déjà vu betrayal by union
By Juan Verala Luz and Marc Wells, 9 April 2013
AT&T West workers resoundingly rejected a proposed contract that would have capped wages at $22 an hour and offered paltry health care plans.
California union supports Democratic-sponsored attack on teachers
By Juan Verala Luz and Marc Wells, 9 April 2013
Proposed California Assembly Bill 375, sponsored by Democrats and supported by the union, expedites the firing of teachers.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
9 April 2013
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Rank-and-file committee points way forward for New York school bus workers
By Jerry White, 8 April 2013
A committee formed by school bus drivers and escorts after the union betrayed their month-long strike issued a leaflet to a mass meeting of workers in New York City last Thursday.
New York City school bus drivers, escorts denounce contractors’ “final” offer
By our reporters, 8 April 2013
School bus workers spoke about their struggle at a mass local union meeting in New York City.
One month after victimization of Alex Wassell
UAW breaks silence on Chrysler firing skilled tradesman
By Shannon Jones, 5 April 2013
Auto workers should place no confidence in the UAW to fight for the reinstatement of the 20-year veteran Chrysler Warren Stamping worker.
California governor seeks end to federal prison oversight
By Norisa Diaz, 4 April 2013
California is seeking to regain oversight of its vast prison system, arguing that it has made adequate improvements in mental health care and overcrowding.
Canada’s government suppresses scientific reporting
By Carl Bronski, 4 April 2013
Canada’s Conservative government has muzzled government scientists as part of a systematic campaign to manipulate and suppress scientific information.
Atlanta testing scandal exposes fraud of anti-public school “reform”
By Andre Damon and Barry Grey, 3 April 2013
The types of practices exposed in Atlanta are the inevitable outcome of the reactionary drive to dismantle public education in the name of “reform.”
Three years since West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch mine disaster
Sequester cuts pose new threat to US mine safety
By Kate Randall, 2 April 2013
Three years after the West Virginia tragedy, cuts threaten to further undermine mine safety, inevitably leading to more deaths.
Approval of Stockton, California bankruptcy paves way for new assault on workers’ pensions
By Gabriel Black, 2 April 2013
A federal bankruptcy judge ruled on Monday that the city of Stockton, California could proceed with the largest municipal bankruptcy in US history.
Tenants angry over New York Housing Authority’s plans to sell to developers
By Alan Whyte, 2 April 2013
Tenants in New York City public housing voiced opposition to plans to lease public land to private developers.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
2 April 2013
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
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