the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
Aug 21, 2023
Here are two of the strikes that are going on in the U.S. These strikes may remain isolated and separated today. But others could join them.
In New Brunswick, N.J., 1700 nurses of United Steelworkers Local 4—200 went out on strike August 4. They are up in arms over the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s refusal to bargain and adjust the dangerous short-staffing practices ever since COVID.
A striker exulted in their strike action at long last: "We don’t get recognized for the hard work we do. Stuff that we deal with like getting peed on, getting all these bodily fluids, 12, 14-hour shifts that turn into 16-hour days, barely any rest break. I’m lucky if I could go to the bathroom. I don’t know how many times I’ve actually sat down and had a proper break for lunch. So, I think this is absolutely beautiful."
In Newton, Iowa, Thombert Inc. refused to begin bargaining with the 84 members of UAW Local 997 until one week before their contract expired July 24. Then the company demanded takeaways like reducing Sick and Accident insurance. "We brought the company’s offer to the members, and it received a 90% NO vote," said the Local 997 president.
Workers at Thombert produce polyurethane wheels for electric forklifts. If they have to make the wheels come off of production, to get some fair treatment, then so be it. The workers went out on strike on August 1.