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Vol. 82/No. 4 January 29, 2018
Workers donate ‘blood money’ bonuses to help build the SWP
BY TERRY EVANS
Twenty-three members and supporters of the Socialist Workers Party have
contributed a total of $4,648.11 to the party from bosses’ “blood money”
bribes in December and January so far.
Many workers get “bonuses” doled out at the end of the year for the
holiday. They’re aimed at winning workers to identify with the employer
and discourage them from fighting the bosses’ exploitation and
indignities. They’re called “blood money” because one of the bosses’
goals is to convince workers not to take on or report injuries from
unsafe working conditions. SWP members tell co-workers that they put
these bribes to the use of the working-class movement by turning them
over to the party’s Capital Fund to strengthen its long-term work.
Among the contributions was a $130 check from Larry Warham, a worker at
a meatpacking plant in Chicago. Workers there were given a $100 visa
card as a bonus after signing a four-year contract and a spiral ham for
Christmas. The agreement limited pay raises to a stingy 25 cents per
hour, and increased the workday from eight to 10 hours.
“Rather than hire more people, the bosses have been putting heavy
pressure on co-workers to work extra hours,” Clarice Watson wrote when
she sent in a check for $802 from a year-end bonus handed to workers at
the New York electronics factory where she works. Watson said she was
pleased to put the money “to work furthering the end of the bosses’
system.”
Bella Warren in Seattle sent in $100 that was given to temp workers. She
said the bosses at that workplace don’t provide any “safety or other
training.”
If you’d like to join in turning a bonus or other bribe from the bosses
to the SWP, contact the branch in your area listed in the directory on
page 10.
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