Jack Ray
Swedish syndicalists call general strike
Sweden's libertarian socialist trade union, the Sveriges Arbetares Centralorganisation (SAC) has called a general strike for November 15th against new unemployment laws.
The SAC has called for a 24 hour strike in protest against unemployment laws proposed by the new right-wing government. The strike has been called for November 15th, the day before the Swedish parliament votes on the bill.
Recruitment agency accused of breaking JJB strike
The GMB Union has accused JJB of illegally breaking a strike by warehouse workers at its Wigan depot.
JJB, the sports retailer owned by former footballer and Wigan Athletic FC Chairman Dave Whelan, has been accused by the GMB union of breaking laws that prohibit employment agency staff from doing the jobs of strikers.
Former BNP men face explosives charges
Former BNP candidate, Robert Cottage, and 62 year old dentist David Jackson have been charged with possessing explosives.
Robert Cottage, a BNP candidate in Colne last year, and David Jackson, a dentist from Nelson, Lancashire have been charged with possessing explosives at Preston Crown Court today.
The lawyers for the pair declined to ask for bail and were remanded in custody. A trial is set for February 12th at Manchester Crown Court.
Two more Oaxaca communards murdered
Two more members of the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO) have been murdered by supporters of Governor Ruiz, bringing the total to nine.
Gunmen loyal to Governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz have stepped up attacks on those involved in the mobilisations in Oaxaca, killing two members of the APPO, taking the total death toll to 9.
Oaxaca communards shot by police
Four people have been wounded after police and hired thugs loyal to Governor Ruiz opened fire on a popular assembly's 'mobile brigade'.
Members and supporters of the Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca (APPO) have been injured by police gunfire in an incident on October 10th outside the Department of Civil Protection. Part of an APPO 'mobile brigade', the group had spent the day painting slogans and peacefully occupying government premises when they were attacked.
Stirling rejects stock transfer
Council tenants in Stirling have voted by a large majority to reject stock transfer to a not-for-profit company, Housing Stirling.
Despite a massive propaganda campaign by the Scottish Executive, Stirling Council and not-for-profit housing organisation Housing Stirling, tenants have overwhelmingly rejected the transfer of their homes out of council control.
Swissport exploits migrant workers
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Eastern European workers, working as baggage handlers for multinational Swissport at Stansted Airport are being denied basic rights through the company's contracting out system.
Swissport, the multinational company that holds the contract to supply baggage handling at Stansted Airport, is using the employment system to exploit its migrant workers, denying them basic rights such as sick and holiday pay, as secondary companies take further large cuts from their wages for accommodation and "administration fees".
Nicaragua to ban abortion
The Nicaraguan government is threatening a complete ban on abortion, including in the case of rape and if the mother's life is threatened.
Nicaragua's parliament is moving toward a complete ban on abortions, with a proposed reform bill currently being discussed by the judicial commission. The proposed change to the law stems from a controversial case in 2003, when the Public Prosecutor ruled than an abortion carried out on a 9 year old girl was legal, as it was carried out to save the mother's life.
Indigenous Peruvians shut down Amazon oil facility
The Native Federation of the Corrientes River (FECONACO) has shut down Pluspetrol's Amazon oil facilities in protest at water contamination.
Seven hundred Peruvians have occupied oil facilities in the rainforest territories of Loreto, on the border with Ecuador, halting production. After 30 years of drilling, protesters are demanding that steps be taken to stop the Argentinian company Pluspetrol from continuing to dump one million barrels of untreated toxic waste each day.
Repression of Korean civil servants continues
The repression of the Korean Government Employees Union (KGEU) continues, with 125 out of the union's 251 local offices now shut down, often welded shut with iron bars and plates.
The Korean government declared the 140,000 member union illegal, after it refused to register under new union legislation curbing rights to strike and recruit. From September 22nd, the security services have been shutting down union offices and attacking members.
