http://themilitant.com/2016/8036/803632.html
The Militant (logo)
Vol. 80/No. 36 September 26, 2016
—ON THE PICKET LINE—
Maggie Trowe, Editor
Workers rally in Mumbai, India, Sept. 2, during massive one-day
nationwide strike of tens of millions of public union workers and others
demanding increased minimum wage, universal social security payments and
against privatization of government-run industries.
Help the Militant cover labor struggles around the world!
This column gives a voice to those engaged in battle and building
solidarity today — including United Gas Workers Union members fighting a
Dominion Gas lockout in six eastern states, workers locked out by
Honeywell and construction workers demanding safe conditions. I invite
those involved in workers’ battles to contact me at 306 W. 37th St.,
13th Floor, New York, NY 10018; or (212) 244-4899; or
themilitant@xxxxxxx. We’ll work together to ensure your story is told.
— Maggie Trowe
L.A. Farmer John meatpackers push back concessions
LOS ANGELES — After conducting protests to press their demands, workers
at Farmer John packinghouse in nearby Vernon voted overwhelmingly Aug.
18 to approve a new two-year contract. The members of United Food and
Commercial Workers Local 770 pushed back company concession demands,
shop steward Pedro Albarran told the Militant. “They wanted to take away
one vacation week, two floating days and to double the health insurance
premium. We defeated those.”
The unionists scored other gains, including wage increases for all
classifications, explicit protection of workers’ right to use the
restroom, and improved safety enforcement, the UFCW website reported.
The wage increases, weighted toward the lowest tiers, help close the gap
between tiers that have existed since the union lost a two-month strike
in 1985, when meat bosses were carrying out a big offensive across the U.S.
Members of the Socialist Workers Party spoke with Farmer John workers at
shift change Sept. 9. Fernando Sanchez likes the contract. When he went
to the medical department for shoulder pain the day before, he learned
that 27 people had been there the previous day. “The line is too fast,”
he said.
Rina Chavarria, with three years on the job, said she had been against
the contract, but “the majority voted for it, so I’m with them.” The
union is key in fighting for safety, she said. “More people should be on
the safety committee.”
“The contract is good,” Enrique Casas said. “We got more money and
insurance. The union will be stronger.”
“No good,” said Francisco, who has worked at the plant for 38 years,
adding that the union “has no power.”
Making the right to go to the restroom explicit in the contract, even
though it is already required by law, was important to many workers, who
said bosses complain when they ask to go.
— Bill Arth
Tens of millions of workers carry out one-day strike in India
Tens of millions of public union members in India took part in a one-day
strike Sept. 2 against the Bharatiya Janata (Indian People’s Party)
government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The strike was supported by
nearly all major unions and by the Communist Party of India. The
unionists call for a $225 monthly minimum wage and universal social
security, including a minimum pension of $45 a month. They oppose
privatization of government-run industries, contracting out of work and
Modi’s plans to allow more foreign direct investment in the railway and
defense industries.
Official unemployment is more than 7 percent in this country of 1.2
billion people, and the per capita gross domestic product is $6,200,
compared with $55,800 in the U.S.
State banks and power stations were closed, public transport was shut
down in some states, and protesters blocked railway tracks and roads in
Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.
— Maggie Trowe
Related articles:
Coal miners demand gov’t protect health care, retirement benefits
On the Picket Line
Fight for health care, retirement for all
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