Aug 20, 2005

CRAWFORD, Texas – Cindy Sheehan’s roadside vigil has reverberated in towns and cities around the nation and even through the gates of President Bush’s ranch here. Vowing to trail the president back to Washington at the end of his vacation, this 48-year-old mother, whose son Casey died in Iraq last year, has voiced what a growing number of Americans are thinking, judging by the latest polls: Bush’s Iraq war is a cruel failure, based on lies, and it’s time to end it.

WASHINGTON — A newly released legal memo by Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts calling pay equity for women a “pernicious” legal doctrine touched off demands by women’s organizations that he be quizzed closely on the issue in Senate confirmation hearings next month.

“What a change! What an improvement! The place looks great!” These were some of the thoughts running through my head as I walked into the Los Angeles Workers Center for the first time in several months.

TUCSON, Ariz. — Copper workers on strike against Asarco are resolved to stick it out. The mine and smelter workers walked off their jobs July 1 in protest of Asarco’s (and parent company Grupo Mexico’s) refusal to bargain in good faith with the coalition of unions representing 1,500 workers in Arizona and Texas.

ALIQUIPPA, Pa. — If you want to start a fight in this tidy, hard-working former steel producing center, defend Bush and speak up for privatizing Social Security.

CARACAS, Venezuela — More than 17,000 young people from around the world concluded the 16th World Festival of Youth and Students here Aug. 15 with a colorful ceremony of music, dance and fighting spirit. The festival slogan was “For peace and solidarity we struggle against war and imperialism.”

HOUSTON — The Texas AFL-CIO held its 45th convention at the new, all-union Hilton Americas Hotel here Aug. 11-13. Among its decisions, the convention took a strong stand in support of immigrant rights and against racism — particularly against the “Minutemen” vigilantes who are threatening to carry out their anti-immigrant program in Houston this October.

WASHINGTON: Federal workers stop Bush union-busting; PHILADELPHIA, Miss.: Convicted Klan terrorist released on bail; HOOVER CITY, Ala.: City Council evicts Latino resource center; ZEB MOUNTAIN, Tenn.: Activists take over mountain

COMMACK, N.Y. — Hundreds of community residents, elected officials and members of AFL-CIO unions as well as those who recently left the federation united here Aug. 10 in a rally to stop the construction of a new Wal-Mart in nearby Dix Hills, and to oppose the policies of already existing Wal-Marts.

Among California labor councils getting a running start for the Nov. 8 special election is the Sacramento Central Labor Council, with affiliates in six counties stretching from the Central Valley into the Sierras. The SCLC started talking with potential voters in person and by phone on July 30.