Oct 18, 2003

VAN NUYS, Calif. – Daniel Lucra, 19, just wants to keep his health care in case he gets sick or hurt on his job behind the deli counter at Albertson’s, where slippery floors and sharp blades can cause injuries.

This week an important new development for a negotiated resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis emerged from a meeting in Jordan of Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

QUEENS, N.Y – “This is really excellent,” a woman in attendance at the closing rally of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride said about the People’s Weekly World/Nuestro Mundo. “I’m gonna make my kids read it and write a paper on this stuff for their school.”

Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger hasn’t even taken office yet and already he and his Republican handlers are moving quickly to make California “business friendly.”

The movement to defeat George Bush in November 2004 got another boost on Oct. 6 when the Voices for Working People Coalition (VWPC) announced its arrival on the electoral battlefield.

One year after it authorized use of the Armed Forces to defend the nation against the alleged “threat posed by Iraq and to enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions,” Congress is considering an additional $87 billion for the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.

PHILADELPHIA – The FBI admitted on Oct. 7 that it bugged the office of Mayor John Street’s office. Later that day the FBI confiscated Street’s personal e-mailing device.

SOUTH BEND, Ind.: Cheney picks up checks, anger / HARRISBURG, Penn.: High court rejects Mumia Abu-Jamal’s appeal / MISSOULA, Mont.: Blue/Green coalition saves union jobs / BROOKLYN, N.Y.: Women defy racism, build safe haven for moms and kids / DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn.: Corporate greed contaminates drinking water

“We’re going to use our saw to trim that shrub,” vowed carpenter Pat Stell, using the tools of her trade to describe the role of union women in next year’s presidential campaign.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), which represents the nation’s grocery and retail clerks, has set Jan. 14 as a National Day of Action against Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer.