North America
Massive explosion kills 31, injures scores at fireworks market in Mexico
By Genevieve Leigh, 22 December 2016
A massive chain-reaction explosion erupted at one of the largest fireworks markets in the country in Tultepec, just north of the capital.
Unifor selects General Motors Canada as pattern bargaining target
By Carl Bronski, 8 September 2016
The selection of GM is a signal to the Detroit automakers that Unifor is set to negotiate deals that attack the wages and benefits of autoworkers and bolster corporate profits.
Hardship grows in Alberta as oil industry contracts
By Janet Browning, 5 August 2016
The economic slump brought on by the oil price collapse has increased poverty rates, food insecurity and homelessness.
Canadian court rejects indefinite detention of man under anti-democratic Security Certificate
By Roger Jordan, 4 June 2016
Under Security Certificates, anyone who is not a citizen can be detained indefinitely on the government’s say-so and with the detainee having no right to see the evidence against them.
Thousands lose their homes in Alberta wildfire
By Roger Jordan, 12 May 2016
While the fire is now reportedly contained, the authorities have said it will be another two weeks before they can say when the 90,000 it has displaced can return to the Fort McMurray area.
Alberta wildfire continues to spread, forcing further evacuations
By Roger Jordan, 6 May 2016
The vast wealth extracted from the Fort McMurray area stands in striking contrast with the paltry resources the authorities have mobilized to tackle the wildfire and assist the displaced.
Québec Solidaire ready to govern with pro-austerity Parti Quebecois
By Laurent Lafrance, 19 April 2016
Québec Solidaire leader Francoise David has said her party “would perhaps be in power together” with the big business PQ had the latter implemented proportional representation.
Canada’s pseudo-left rallies round discredited pro-war, pro-austerity NDP
By Roger Jordan, 8 April 2016
Pseudo-left groups like Fightback and the Socialist Caucus shamelessly distort, falsify and lie about the political record, social composition, and class orientation of the NDP.
Canada’s establishment “canonizes” former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford
By Carl Bronski, 25 March 2016
An arch-right winger, notorious for his ignorance and appeals to prejudice, Ford was used by the big business elite to push the city’s politics sharply to the right.
Manitoba aboriginal youth suicides exemplify systemic crisis
By Carl Bronski, 18 March 2016
Leaders of the Pimicikamak Cree First Nation in Northern Manitoba have declared a state of emergency after the sixth suicide of a young person in three months.
Minnesota’s Iron Range hammered by steel industry layoffs
By a correspondent, 11 March 2016
The United Steelworkers and the Democratic Party have responded with nationalist demagogy, blaming China for “illegal dumping” of steel products on the US market.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
By , 8 March 2016
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Canada’s pseudo-left silent on trade unions’ support for Liberal government
By Roger Jordan, 26 February 2016
A Socialist Project article bemoans the Liberals’ success in donning a “progressive” guise, but is completely silent on the unions’ and NDP’s role in fashioning it.
After tiny tax hike
Canada’s Globe and Mail demands Trudeau “stop whacking the 1 percent”
By Roger Jordan, 19 February 2016
The Globe fears even the most limited and dishonest appeal to antiestablishment feeling could fuel social anger and inadvertently trigger social opposition.
On what program should workers oppose the sellout agreement in Quebec’s public sector?
By the Socialist Equality Party (Canada), 2 February 2016
Quebec public sector workers face a political struggle. In rejecting the sellout agreement touted by the inter-union Common Front, they will be challenging the austerity program of the entire ruling elite.
Canada’s prime minister courts global financial elite
By Roger Jordan, 27 January 2016
Even as Trudeau enthused over Canada’s “financial stability,” the country’s economy was being roiled by plummeting oil prices and the rapid depreciation of the Canadian dollar.
Canada’s central bank expresses trepidation over economic downturn
By Roger Jordan, 29 December 2015
Canada’s central bank has announced that in the event of a major crisis it will consider adopting negative interest rates and other unconventional policies.
Montreal suspends 2,400 workers for participating in an “illegal” meeting
By Laurent Lafrance, 19 December 2015
Montreal’s mayor is accusing workers of “bullying” while his administration is attacking wages, pensions and benefits won through generations of struggle.
Trudeau’s refugee “welcome” and the real agenda of Canada’s new government
By Roger Jordan, 15 December 2015
Trudeau is giving his government “progressive” and humanitarian hues to provide political cover for continuing the Canadian elite’s aggressive foreign policy agenda.
Obama’s crisis speech on San Bernardino attack
By Patrick Martin, 7 December 2015
Obama’s speech Sunday night from the White House reflected the growing political crisis in his administration, amidst mounting calls for an expansion of the US war drive in Syria.
Canada: Liberals mask right-wing program with “real change” rhetoric
By Roger Jordan, 7 December 2015
Friday’s Throne Speech underscored that the Liberals’ “real change” rhetoric is a fraud, aimed at obscuring their plans to assert the interests of big business at home and abroad.
Canada’s finance minister acknowledges sharp economic slowdown
By Roger Jordan, 23 November 2015
Finance Minister Bill Morneau vowed the Liberals will implement their pledge to eliminate the budget deficit in 2019, even if that requires steeper cuts.
Canada’s NDP rallies behind Mulcair after election debacle
By Roger Jordan and Keith Jones, 29 October 2015
The NDP leadership has reacted to the party’s electoral rout by declaring its full support for the party’s pro-austerity federal leader, Tom Mulcair.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
By , 27 October 2015
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Canada’s incoming Liberals will pursue austerity and war
By Roger Jordan, 21 October 2015
Trudeau’s government will use “progressive” rhetoric and cosmetic changes to repackage big business’s agenda of attacks on workers rights and imperialist aggression.
“Team Trudeau”: Tried and trusted representatives of big business
By our reporter, 21 October 2015
In the wake of the Liberals’ sweeping victory in Monday’s federal election, Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau has vowed to move quickly to appoint his cabinet.
Canada’s Liberals sweep to power on phony anti-austerity vow
By Keith Jones, 20 October 2015
The pro-austerity campaign mounted by the social-democratic NDP and unions enabled the big business Liberals to fraudulently pose as the proponents of “progressive” change.
Canada’s elections: “Progressive” bluster, war and reaction
By Keith Jones, 17 October 2015
Canada’s election campaign has illustrated the extent to which the traditional political structures are impervious to the needs of working people, and the ruling elite indifferent and hostile to fundamental democratic principles.
Canada’s Greens shill for “Anybody but Harper” fraud
By Dylan Lubao, 16 October 2015
The Greens are vocal supporters of a Liberal or Liberal-NDP government that would employ “progressive” rhetoric while pursuing austerity and imperialist aggression.
Canada’s NDP to prop up big business Liberal government
By Keith Jones, 14 October 2015
NDP leader Tom Mulcair has said that should no party emerge on October 19 with a parliamentary majority, his party would be ready to form a government with the Liberals.
Why are Canada’s politicians mute about the Canada-US military integration plans?
By Roger Jordan, 6 October 2015
Not a single politician or major newspaper has so much as referred to the integration talks, let alone discussed their implications or demanded further information about them.
Canada’s military to “weaponize” its public affairs branch
By Roger Jordan, 5 October 2015
On the orders of the Canadian Armed Forces’ high command, journalists who write stories critical of the armed forces are to be shunned and intimidated.
Canadian election: Militarism and reaction dominate foreign policy debate
By Roger Jordan and Keith Jones, 30 September 2015
The leaders of Canada’s three main parties used Monday’s foreign policy debate to stake their claim as the most capable and determined defenders of Canadian imperialism.
Death of Syrian infant exposes Canadian complicity in refugee crisis
By Keith Jones, 5 September 2015
The Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper rebuffed efforts by a woman living in Vancouver to rescue her Syrian relatives, including three-year-old Alan Kurdi.
Strong support from Canadian Fiat Chrysler workers for an international struggle
By Jerry White, 24 August 2015
A campaign team distributed the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter to FCA workers in Brampton, Ontario.
Harper formally launches Canada’s federal election campaign
By Keith Jones and Roger Jordan, 3 August 2015
Harper used his first campaign speech to serve notice he will run a hard-right campaign, highlighting his government’s austerity record and its aggressive foreign policy.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
By , 28 July 2015
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Canada boosts Kiev regime with free trade pact
By Roger Jordan, 17 July 2015
The agreement is aimed at demonstrating Canada’s staunch support for the Kiev regime, which was brought to power last year in a pro-western coup spearheaded by fascist forces.
Quebec unions seek to smother opposition to austerity
By Laurent Lafrance, 3 July 2015
The Quebec Liberal government’s frontal assault on public sector workers is a key element of a broader austerity agenda that targets the entire working class.
Alberta NDP government asks ex-Bank of Canada head to draft budget plan
By Roger Jordan, 1 July 2015
The NDP is soliciting advice from a right-wing mandarin involved in formulating sweeping attacks on working people, including the draconian cuts of the Chretien-Martin government.
Canada: Alleged ISIS supporter released on bail after lengthy, illegal detention without charge
By Roger Jordan, 20 June 2015
Twenty-three-year-old Aaron Driver was quietly released on bail late last week by a Manitoba court, after being detained since his arrest by police on June 4.
Québec Solidaire renews offer to work with Péladeau-led PQ
By Laurent Lafrance, 19 June 2015
Following the PQ’s election of the right-wing media mogul Péladeau as its leader, Québec Solidaire feigned astonishment—as it does whenever the PQ shows its true class character.
Mexican president deploys military in Jalisco state
By Kevin Kearney, 25 May 2015
The military operations of the Peña Nieto government are aimed at a far more dangerous internal enemy: Mexico’s increasingly restive working class.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
By , 12 May 2015
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Quebec government criminalizes student strike
By Laurent Lafrance, 17 April 2015
The government is determined to break the student protest movement against its austerity program and to put an end to Quebec’s tradition of political protest through student strikes.
Canada: Conservatives fast-tracking Bill C-51 into law
By Roger Jordan, 11 April 2015
Canada’s Conservative government is determined to adopt legislation that attacks core democratic rights.
US orders 7,700 children deported without court hearings
By Patrick Martin, 7 March 2015
While Obama pretends to sympathize with undocumented children, his administration is carrying out the most brutal crackdown on immigrants in US history.
Canada’s Bill C-51: A sweeping assault on democratic rights and legal principles—Part 2
By Roger Jordan and Keith Jones, 7 March 2015
The WSWS continues its exposure of how Canada’s ostensible new anti-terror legislation attacks key democratic and constitutionally protected rights.
Canada invokes “jihadi threat” to pursue agenda of war and reaction
By Keith Jones, 28 February 2015
Canada’s Conservative government is steamrolling through parliament legislation that tramples on core democratic rights and dramatically augments the power of the state.
Canadian NDP declares willingness to enter coalition with Liberals
By Dylan Lubao, 20 February 2015
The leader of the social democratic NDP has reiterated the possibility of joining hands with a party that has carried out the greatest social spending cuts in Canadian history.
Peru’s currency falls sharply amidst economic crisis
By Cesar Uco, 2 February 2015
The most significant cause of the deterioration of the Peruvian economy is the sharp drop in copper exports caused by a slowdown in global demand.
Koch brothers pledge to spend nearly $900 million on 2016 US elections
By Patrick Martin, 29 January 2015
Charles and David Koch plan to spend more money to elect right-wing candidates in 2016 than either the Democratic or Republican parties.
Mexican government rushes to close case of disappeared students
By Bill Van Auken, 29 January 2015
Peña Nieto told Mexicans to get over the fate of the 43 students so he can move ahead with a “reform” agenda backed by Washington.
Canada’s International Socialists promote unions’ “anti-Harper,” pro-Liberal campaign
By Dylan Lubao and Keith Jones, 13 December 2014
The pseudo-left International Socialists are lining up behind the trade unions’ campaign to back a Liberal or a Liberal-NDP coalition government.
“They just killed him for nothing”
Hundreds mourn death of 12-year-old boy killed by Cleveland police
By Samuel Davidson, 2 December 2014
Hundreds of people from throughout the Cleveland area attended a viewing Sunday for 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was shot by police while playing with a toy gun.
Billions in handouts to Canadian auto companies yet to be repaid
By Carl Bronski, 2 December 2014
The true aim of the auto industry bailout was to make the Detroit Big Three once again a lucrative source of profits for rich investors by gutting auto workers’ jobs and wages.
Angry protests sweep Mexico after government says 43 students are dead
By Don Knowland, 11 November 2014
The attorney general’s presentation of gang confessions claiming that the 43 missing students were killed and burned has further incited an outraged Mexican public.
Peña Nieto implicated in rail contract scandal
By Our reporter, 11 November 2014
The Mexican president’s private mansion has been linked toa multibillion-dollar contract awarded to a corporatesupporter.
Protests across Mexico over disappearance of students
By Rafael Azul, 16 October 2014
At least 29 universities joined the protest walkout, and in Guerrero, 87 percent of schools were on strike.
Tens of thousands protest massacre of Mexican student teachers
By Rafael Azul, 10 October 2014
The killings have triggered a tidal wave of national anger that threatens the stability of the government of President Enrique Peña Nieto.
Atlantic City, New Jersey casino workers arrested at protest over slashed benefits
By Sandy English, 10 October 2014
Workers blocked traffic to oppose draconian cuts to their health and pension benefits.
The “Detroit Homecoming”: City planning by and for the billionaires
By Thomas Gaist, 22 September 2014
A select group of billionaires and wealthy private foundations gathered at an invitation-only event this week to plan Detroit’s future.
Socialist Equality Party campaigns against war in Detroit and Minneapolis
By our reporters, 22 September 2014
Socialist Equality Party campaign teams spoke to workers and young people in Detroit and Minneapolis last weekend to promote the upcoming lecture series on the danger of world war.
The Ray Rice case and the violence of American football
By Alan Gilman and Jerry White, 10 September 2014
Nowhere in the round-the-clock media coverage and sanctimonious statements of NFL officials, team owners and political figures has there been the slightest insight into the broader social causes of such violence.
New Jersey, New York part of a national trend
Northeastern US states seek to cut public worker pensions
By Philip Guelpa, 10 September 2014
Governments in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York are mounting efforts to severely reduce public worker pension benefits.
LAPD suppresses autopsy reports in police killings
By Kevin Martinez, 10 September 2014
Los Angeles Police Department detectives shot unarmed 24-year-old Ezell Ford six times in the back on August 11, less than two weeks after the August 2 killing of Omar Abrego.
Former governor of Virginia found guilty on corruption charges
By Nick Barrickman, 10 September 2014
Former Republican governor of Virginia Robert F. McDonnell and his wife Maureen were found guilty of 20 felony counts of corruption, conspiracy and fraud.
Toronto’s mayoralty candidates ignore growing poverty
By Carl Bronski, 10 September 2014
A report compiled by the Social Planning Council and various community groups concluded that child poverty in Toronto has reached “epidemic” levels.
Wave of layoffs sweeps North American coal industry
By Clement Daly, 22 August 2014
Alpha Natural Resources plans to lay off approximately 1,100 coal miners and support staff at 11 affiliated coal mining operations in southern West Virginia by mid-October.
Bank of America agrees to sweetheart settlement with US Department of Justice
By Gabriel Black, 22 August 2014
The actual financial hit of BoA is far less than the $16.7 billion price tag touted by the Obama administration.
Florida courts prepare fast-track hearings for immigrant children
By Matthew MacEgan, 8 August 2014
Florida immigration courts are seeking to establish special “dockets” to speed up the process of hearing the cases of thousands of immigrant children who have recently arrived in the state.
Mediocre US jobs report points to ongoing unemployment crisis
By Gabriel Black, 2 August 2014
The US economy added 209,000 jobs in July, below analysts’ predictions and less than the amount of jobs needed to keep up with population growth.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
By , 23 July 2014
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Federal Judge rules California death penalty law is unconstitutional
By Alan Gilman, 18 July 2014
The judge found that lengthy and unpredictable delays have resulted in an arbitrary and unfair capital punishment system.
US Supreme Court backs Christian college against contraception mandate
By Tom Carter, 5 July 2014
On Thursday, in the wake of its decision in the Hobby Lobby case, the US Supreme Court issued an order that further undermines workers’ rights and the separation of church and state.
Talks to end BC teachers’ strike collapse
By Keith Jones, 5 July 2014
Talks to end a strike by 41,000 British Columbia public school teachers collapsed this week after the provincial government refused to discuss teachers’ demands.
US appeals court rules defendant has no right to secret surveillance documents
By Gabriel Black, 19 June 2014
A federal appeals court overturned a previous ruling allowing a terrorism defendant’s lawyer access to FISA material.
Retired Detroit bus mechanics denounce cuts to pensions and transportation services
By Shannon Jones and Debra Watson, 19 June 2014
The World Socialist Web Site recently spoke with two retired Detroit bus mechanics about the upcoming vote on the Plan of Adjustment proposed by Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr.
California court ruling signals nationwide attack on teacher tenure, seniority rights
By Gabriel Black, 12 June 2014
The anti-teacher ruling was immediately hailed by the Obama administration as creating a “new framework for the teaching profession” for the entire country.
Illinois Democrats gut Chicago city worker pensions
By Alexander Fangmann and Kristina Betinis, 12 June 2014
Democratic Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill cutting the pensions of tens of thousands of Chicago workers by an estimated 20 percent.
US House Republican leader defeated in primary election
By Patrick Martin, 12 June 2014
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, a right-wing Republican, lost to a challenger who managed to outflank him from the right on immigration and budget-cutting.
Detroit officials agree at DIA press conference: Workers must pay for bankruptcy
By Larry Porter and Jerry White, 12 June 2014
An announcement that the Big Three automakers are contributing a paltry sum to the so-called Grand Bargain was used to demand that retirees support the plan to gut their benefits.
Unrest grows as Mexico’s economy goes into slump
By Don Knowland, 12 June 2014
President Peña Nieto’s plan to modernize the Mexican economy has led to slower growth and widespread disaffection with government policies.
Internal GM report shields top executives for cover-up of deadly car defects
By Jerry White, 6 June 2014
The internal investigation claims bureaucratic incompetence and communication glitches were behind the automaker’s failure to recall defective vehicles responsible for scores if not hundreds of fatal accidents.
Workers at Detroit retiree meetings voice anger over pension cuts
By Shannon Jones, 6 June 2014
Following the pattern of previous retiree meetings, organizers presented an ultimatum—accept the drastic cuts contained in the plan of adjustment or face far worse.
Bipartisan deal on US veterans’ health care includes step toward privatization
By Kate Randall, 6 June 2014
Under a two-year trial, veterans who live 40 miles or more from a VHA facility “will be able to go to the doctor of your choice, under the direct supervision of the VA.”
Michigan steel worker crushed to death on the job
By Zac Corrigan, 6 June 2014
Thirty-one-year-old Andrew Beckman was crushed by over 3,000 pounds of steel rods at a Saginaw steel plant.
California governor Jerry Brown calls for raising teachers’ pension contributions
By Kevin Martinez, 6 June 2014
As part of his May budget revision, California governor Jerry Brown is calling for increasing teachers’ contributions into the California State Teachers’ Retirement System.
Teachers and transit workers ratify New York City contract deals
By Alan Whyte and Dan Brennan, 6 June 2014
The mood among teachers and transit workers is far from one of satisfaction.
Ontario NDP and unions in spat over what rightwing road to follow
By Carl Bronski, 6 June 2014
The campaign that the social-democratic NDP has mounted for the Ontario elections has been described, not without reason, as being to the right of that of the governing big business Liberals.
Median CEO pay in US tops $10 million
By Andre Damon, 29 May 2014
The median compensation of chief executives of US corporations listed on the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index has grown by more than 50 percent since 2010.
Obama defends global US interventionism in West Point speech
By Bill Van Auken, 29 May 2014
In a speech riddled with lies and evasions, the US president put forward a rationale for continued US aggression in every corner of the planet.
Supreme Court issues unanimous decision defending police in fatal shooting
By Tom Carter, 29 May 2014
The US Supreme Court unanimously ruled Tuesday in favor of three Arkansas police officers who fired 15 bullets at a fleeing motorist and his passenger, killing both.
Supreme Court stops Florida execution, requiring more evidence to assess mental competency
By Gabriel Black, 29 May 2014
The Supreme Court stopped the execution of a man from Florida on the basis that the judge needed to allow more evidence to assess his mental competency and that an IQ test was not always enough.
Detroit “blight” task force calls for demolition of 20 percent of city’s housing stock
By Thomas Gaist, 29 May 2014
Such a vast destruction of housing is historically unprecedented outside of conditions produced by war or natural disaster.
Governor’s revised budget signals renewed attack on California workers
By Dan Conway, 29 May 2014
After years of cuts, the new budget is being seized upon as an opportunity to cut billions more from social programs.
Occupy Wall Street protester jailed for three months in case of police beating
By Sandy English, 20 May 2014
In a ruling designed to intimidate opponents of social inequality in the US, a judge in New York City sentenced Occupy Wall Street activist Cecily McMillan to 90 days in jail.
Quebec charges employees, not owners, of railroad in Lac-Mégantic tragedy
By Jeff Lusanne, 20 May 2014
Charges of criminal negligence have been filed against three employees of the now-bankrupt Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railroad, but not its CEO and principal shareholder.
Detroit’s “plan of adjustment”: A declaration of war against the working class
By Jerry White, 8 May 2014
All the major political actors—the courts, the two big business parties, the corporate-controlled news media and the trade unions—have taken sides against the working class.
Obama nominates author of drone memo for appellate court judge
By Ed Hightower, 8 May 2014
President Barack Obama has nominated David Barron, the author of pseudo-legal memos that authorize the drone assassination of US citizens, as a judge for a top appellate court.
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