South America
Brazil: Volkswagen workers on indefinite strike
Workers at the Sao Paulo plant approved the strike in a mass assembly of 10,000 workers, starting immediately in “direct response” to the firings.
The 1,800 layoffs are seen as the first wave of cuts at the 12,000-worker Sao Bernardo do Campo car plant. Workers will decide on a day-by-day basis the course of the strike. The main demand is guarantees of job security, which runs counter to bosses plans. The cuts are due to be made effective in November.
The Soccer War 1969 - Kapuscinski
"In Latin America, he said, the border between soccer and politics is vague."
"... existing tensions between the two countries were inflamed by rioting during the second North American qualifying round for the 1970 FIFA World Cup. On July 14, 1969, the Salvadoran army launched an attack against Honduras. The Organization of American States negotiated a cease-fire which took effect on July 20, with the Salvadoran troops withdrawn in early August." (Wikipedia)
Worldwide report details brutal suppression of workers' rights
115 trade unionists were murdered for defending workers’ rights in 2005, while more than 1,600 were subjected to violent assaults and some 9,000 arrested, a report states. according to the ICFTU’s Annual Survey of Trade Union Rights violations, published today.
In addition, nearly 10,000 workers were sacked for their trade union involvement, and almost 1,700 detained states the ICFTU’s Annual Survey of Trade Union Rights violations, published today.
Is Latin America really turning left?
James Petras examines recent social movements and developments in the class struggle in Latin America.
A new series of social and national polarities in the Western Hemisphere has dominated political life over the past few years. At the beginning of the new millennium the national confrontation was between Cuba and the US/EU, and the social confrontations between the rural/indian and urban/unemployed movements and a continent-wide collection of neo-liberal regimes.
Bolivian military take control of airports to break strike
Bolivian military and police forces have taken control of four main airports, aiming to break an airline workers' strike in major cities.
Employees from the country's main airline, Lloyd Aereo Boliviano (LAB), are demanding its nationalisation.
But President Evo Morales has ruled out nationalisation, saying the partially private company is seriously corrupt.
The government said it took control of airports in an effort to avoid accidents and ensure passenger safety.
The Bolivian state already holds a 48% stake in the LAB.
Anti-CPE Movement: Embassy protest in Brazil
Leafletting and sit-down protest at the French embassy in Brazil. Photos from http://paris.indymedia.org/article.php3?id_article=56520
Wilckens, Kurt Gustav, 1886-1923
A short biography of German-born anarchist Kurt Gustav Wilckens, who assassinated the man responsible for the deaths of 1,500 workers, and whose murder provoked a general strike.
Kurt Gustav Wilckens
Born 3 November 1886 - Germany, died 15 June 1923, Argentina
Radowitzky, Simon, 1891-1956
A biography of Ukrainian-born anarchist Simon Radowitzky, who assassinated a police chief responsible for the killings of workers.
Simon Radowitzky
Aka Szymon Radowicki, born 10 September or November 1891 - Ukraine, died 29 February 1956 - Mexico
Szymon Radowicki (more usually known in Argentina as Simon Radowitzky) was born on either the 10th of September or November 1891 into a workers family in the Jewish community in the little Ukrainian village of Stepanice (Stapanesso).
Del Monte: A can of worms
Rob Ray reports on the devastation and horror surrounding America’s biggest fruit giant.
January 2006 was a big month for a smiling guy in a white suit. The plucky fellow has every reason to say "Yes" to trade legislation he himself has helped organise which will finally break his great enemy.
Bolivia - struggles continue under socialist Morales
Despite the election of Evo Morales from the Movement for Socialism as President of Bolivia, several strikes are in process and the persecution of the landless movement MST continues under the new regime.
This week has seen an ongoing strike by pilots at private LAB. The Pilot Association paralyzed work Thursday demanding the reinstatement of 15 fired workers, alongside the cessation of lawsuits against three others, and payment of $8 million instalments to retirement funds that were deducted by LAB.
