15 January 2019

Rebellion in Matamoros, Mexico
70,000 workers strike at US-Mexico border sweatshops

By Alex González and Eric London, 15 January 2019

Workers are waging a struggle against the pro-company trade union and the brutal “maquiladora” sweatshops across the US-Mexico border.

50,000 march on first day of Los Angeles teachers strike

By Jerry White, 15 January 2019

The first strike by LA teachers in three decades is shaping up to be a direct conflict with the Democratic Party, which is backing the campaign to privatize public education.

This walkout should be nationwide
Los Angeles teachers, students and parents speak out on first day of strike

By Our Reporters, 15 January 2019

Teachers and their supporters denounced the bipartisan attack on public education and supported the call by the WSWS Teacher Newsletter to expand the strike throughout California and the US.

Los Angeles teachers strike in second largest school district in US

For a united struggle to defend public education in California and beyond!

Los Angeles and the billionaires’ plan to destroy public education

Denver, Colorado teachers move closer to strike action

By J. Cooper, 15 January 2019

If negotiations fail between the Denver Public Schools board and the union by January 18, a strike vote will be taken the next day.

More on teachers' struggles »

US shutdown: Sickouts by screeners throw airports into crisis

By Rebecca Campbell, 15 February 2018

The sickouts are one reflection of growing anger and determination to take action against uncompensated, compulsory labor for 420,000 workers and the lockout of another 380,000.

Sickouts spread, impact widens as US shutdown enters fourth week

Trump at the Rubicon

Trump’s “national emergency” threat and the danger of presidential dictatorship

More on the Trump presidency »

US ratchets up threats against Iran, Turkey amid Syria withdrawal plans

By Bill Van Auken, 15 January 2019

While the timetable for US troops to pull out of Syria remains unclear, Washington is steadily escalating tensions in the region.

Pompeo in Cairo: The ugly face of US imperialism

World Bank warns of “storm clouds” over global economy

By Nick Beams, 15 January 2019

The bank cut its June forecast for global growth of 3 percent this year to 2.9 percent and warned that “the risks are growing that growth could be even weaker than anticipated.”

UK parliament to vote on Brexit deal today

By Chris Marsden, 15 January 2019

The fight over Brexit revolves around the best means of advancing the interests of British imperialism for control of global markets.

UK People’s Assembly protest shows Corbyn’s role in demobilising the working class

The struggle against austerity and the fight for the United Socialist States of Europe

Top UK executives earn average worker pay within three days

By Alice Summers, 15 January 2019

While the vast majority of British workers have suffered a decline in wages unsurpassed for over a century, top bosses have seen their pay grow rapidly year on year.

US, Turkey clash over Turkish plan to buy Russian S-400 missiles

By Baris Demir, 15 January 2019

The US team is expected to warn Ankara that Washington will not tolerate a Turkish purchase of Russian air defence systems.

Brazil’s Bolsonaro increases drive for “pensions’ reform,” more state powers in second week of government

By Miguel Andrade, 15 January 2018

As Bolsonaro prepares unprecedented attacks on the Brazilian working class, the Workers Party (PT) is seeking an accommodation with possible “dissidents” in his cabinet.

India: Daikin air conditioning workers target of police assault, frame-up charges

By Kranti Kumara, 15 January 2019

In the midst of last week’s all-India strike, police launched a brutal attack on Daikin workers and are now conspiring with the company to frame up worker-militants on charges of attempted murder.

The political significance of India’s two-day general strike

Sri Lankan government proposes pay “formula” to end plantation workers’ struggle

By W.A. Sunil, 15 January 2019

The aim of the suggested three-year wage plan is to impose the burden of the crisis in the plantation industry onto workers.

Engineers disagree on whether Australian high rise is safe to reoccupy

By John Wilson, 15 January 2019

Some residents of Opal Tower in Sydney have moved back in, despite one engineering report advising against it.

New in Russian

Эта неделя в истории
75 лет назад: Американские сталинисты «распускают» Коммунистическую партию

14 января 2019 г.

9 января 1944 года Коммунистическая партия США по распоряжению, поступившему из Москвы, на открытом собрании в Мэдисон-сквер-гарден объявила о том, что «распускается» как политическая партия.

New in Turkish

İşçi sınıfı ve çevre krizi

Patrick Martin, 14 Ocak 2019

İklim değişikliği krizi, kapitalist üretimin, kar ve en güçlü kapitalist ulus devletlerin stratejik çıkarları eliyle yönlendirilen anarşik ve plansız karakterinin ölümcül sonuçlarının altını çizmektedir.

Kanadalı, ABD’li ve Meksikalı otomotiv işçilerini birleştirin!
GM’nin Oshawa’da ve ABD’de fabrikaları kapatmasına karşı taban komiteleri inşa edin

WSWS Otomotiv İşçileri Bülteni, 14 Ocak 2019

General Motors’un Kanada’daki ve ABD’deki beş fabrikayı yaklaşık 15.000 iş kaybına yol açacak şekilde kapatma planı, tüm işçilere yönelik durdurulması gereken amansız bir saldırıdır.

75 yıl önce: Amerikalı Stalinistler Komünist Parti’yi “kapattı”

14 Ocak 2019

9 Ocak 1944’te, ABD Komünist Partisi, Moskova’nın emriyle, kendisini siyasi bir parti olarak kapatacağını ilan etti.

New in Spanish

La operación policial-estatal del FBI contra Trump

Por Patrick Martin, 15 enero 2019

Un reporte del New York Times dirigido a revivir la campaña antirrusa contra Trump revela la conspiración de la policía política del FBI para negar los resultados de las elecciones de 2016.

La rebelión en Matamoros, México

Por Alex González y Eric London, 15 enero 2019

Los trabajadores están librando una lucha contra el sindicato propatronal y las brutales empresas maquiladoras a lo largo de la frontera entre EUA y México.

Las protestas masivas de “chalecos amarillos” en Francia continúan creciendo en 2019

Por Alex Lantier, 15 enero 2019

Las protestas este sábado crecieron significativamente en comparación con la semana pasada, en medio de una creciente enojo entre amplias capas de la población conta el presidente Emmanuel Macron.

Miles de docentes franceses se unen a protesta de “Lapiceros rojos” en Facebook
“Tenemos la misma lucha en Francia que en Estados Unidos”

Por Will Morrow, 15 enero 2019

Se está desarrollando un movimiento cada vez más grande de maestros franceses en las redes sociales y, en gran parte, de forma independiente de los sindicatos nacionales del sector educativo.

El partido ultraderechista español Vox respalda el gobierno de coalición derechista en Andalucía

Por Alejandro López, 15 enero 2019

Es la primera vez que un partido ultraderechista que promueve el legado del dictador fascista Francisco Franco ayuda a formar un gobierno desde que cayera hace 40 años la dictadura franquista.

Cómo el WRP traicionó al trotskismo:1973-1985
7. El gobierno laborista en crisis

Declaración del Comité Internacional de la Cuarta Internacional, 15 enero 2019

Este es el texto del análisis realizado en el verano de 1986 por el Comité Internacional de la Cuarta Internacional sobre el colapso de su sección británica, el Workers Revolutionary Party.

New in French

Montée de la mobilisation des «gilets jaunes» pour «l’Acte IX»

Alexandre Lantier, 15 janvier 2019

Sur fond de montée de la colère contre Macron, les manifestations samedi des «gilets jaunes» ont rassemblé plus largement que les deux semaines précédentes.

L’opération d’État policier du FBI contre Trump

Patrick Martin, 15 janvier 2019

Un rapport du New York Times visant à relancer la campagne anti-Russie contre Trump fait apparaître une conspiration de la police politique du FBI pour annuler les résultats des élections de 2016.

Les enseignants de Los Angeles font la grève dans le deuxième plus grand district scolaire des États-Unis

David Brown, 15 janvier 2019

Les enseignants de toute la Californie et du pays qui cherchent un moyen de défendre l’éducation publique font face aux efforts des syndicats pour les isoler.

Les partis politiques allemands et les médias expriment leur solidarité avec l’AfD d’extrême droite

Ulrich Rippert et Johannes Sturn, 15 janvier 2019

L’affaire Magnitz révèle le degré auquel l’AfD a été integrée à la politique institutionnelle

Le parti d’extrême droite espagnol Vox soutient le gouvernement de coalition de droite en Andalousie

Alejandro López, 15 janvier 2019

C’est la première fois depuis la chute de la dictature franquiste il y a 40 ans qu’un parti d’extrême droite faisant la promotion de l’héritage du dictateur fasciste Francisco Franco contribuait à former un gouvernement.

New in German

Die politische Bedeutung des zweitägigen Generalstreiks in Indien

Keith Jones, 14. Januar 2019

Der Generalstreik in Indien letzte Woche, einer der größten Streiks der Geschichte, ist Teil eines wachsenden Aufschwungs der Arbeiterkämpfe weltweit.

Jaguar Land Rover will in England fast 5000 Stellen streichen

Robert Stevens, 14. Januar 2019

Der größte britische Autobauer verzeichnete schon im letzten Oktober Verluste von 90 Millionen Pfund. Die Umsätze in China, dem wichtigsten und profitträchtigsten Markt, brachen um fast 50 Prozent ein.

Die Lehren von 1933 und der Kampf gegen Faschismus heute
Erfolgreicher Wahlauftakt der IYSSE an der Humboldt-Universität

unseren Reportern, 14. Januar 2019

Am Mittwoch diskutierten 60 Studierende über den Aufstieg des Faschismus, die Lehren der Geschichte und die Bedeutung einer sozialistischen Perspektive.

New in Arabic

أصول ونتائج التحقيق الأمني الذي قامت به الأممية الرابعة

١٣ تشرين الثاني نوفمبر ٢٠١٨

تجدون فيما يلي نص وتسجيل لمحاضرة ألقاها إريك لندن في مدينة ديترويت في ولاية ميتشيغان وفيها استعراض للتحقيق الضخم الذي أجرته اللجنة الدولية للأممية الرابعة تحت عنوان الأمن والأممية الرابعة.

New in Bengali

সামাজিক বিপর্যয় ও রাজনৈতিক প্রতিক্রিয়াশীলতার বিরুদ্ধে লড়াই করতে ভারতীয় শ্রমিকদের প্রয়োজন এক বিপ্লবী সমাজতান্ত্রিক কার্য্যক্রম

দীপাল জয়েশেখেরা ও কিথ জোনস্‌, ৮ জানুয়ারী ২০১৯

সামাজিক বিপর্যয় এবং "বিনিয়োগকারীদের স্বার্থে" বিজেপি সরকারের করা অর্থনৈতিক পন্থার - অর্থাৎ বর্বর নিষ্ঠুরতা, বেসরকারিকরণ, নিরাপত্তাহীন চুক্তি অনুযায়ী কাজের প্রচার, পরিবেশ বিধি ও কর্মক্ষেত্রে নিরাপত্তার নিয়ম না মানা, বড় ব্যবসা ও ধনীদের জন্য কর-এ প্রবল ছাড় দেওয়া এবং শ্রমিক ও গ্রামের গরীব মানুষদের কর-এ ব্যাপক বৃদ্ধির বিরুদ্ধে আগামী মঙ্গলবার ও বুধবার হাজার হাজার শ্রমিক ও যুব সারা ভারত ব্যাপী ৪৮ ঘন্টার ধর্মঘটে অংশগ্রহণ করবে।

New in Urdu

سرمایہ دارانہ حکمرانی کا عالمی بحران اور سوشلسٹ انقلاب کی حکمت عملی

جوزف کشوور

قومی خصوصیات خواہ کچھ بھی ہو ں، طبقاتی حکمرانی کا سیاسی بحران ہر ملک میں یکساں عالمگیر پروسس کی وجہ ہے

New in Turkish

Hindistan’daki iki günlük genel grevin siyasi önemi

Keith Jones, 15 Ocak 2019

Hindistan genelinde on milyonlarca işçi, geçtiğimiz hafta ülkenin aşırı sağcı hükümetinin “yatırımcı yanlısı” politikalarına yönelik muhalefetlerini dile getirmek için iki günlük genel greve katıldı.

Other Languages

Perspective

One hundred years since the murder of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht

15 January 2019

The ruling class had to kill Luxemburg and Liebknecht to prevent the revolution, which spread like wildfire throughout Germany during November 1918, from overthrowing capitalism as it had done in Russia.

Earlier Perspectives »

Autoworkers struggles

Fight the Ford layoffs! Build rank-and-file committees to unite autoworkers across Europe!

By Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, Socialist Equality Party and Parti de l’égalité socialiste, 15 January 2019

The working class cannot accept the “right” of the corporations to shut plants down, decimate entire communities and destroy the lives of tens of thousands of workers.

Ford to lay off thousands, close plants across Europe

Jaguar Land Rover announces nearly 5,000 UK job losses in global restructuring

No layoffs! No concessions!
Autoworkers call for demonstration February 9 to fight GM plant closings

By Jerry White, 12 January 2019

Following Oshawa GM sitdown protest, autoworkers fed poison of Canadian nationalism at Windsor rally

By Shannon Jones, 12 January 2019

More on autoworkers issues »

Commentary

The American media revives the methods of McCarthyism

By Patrick Martin, 15 January 2019

The campaign sparked by reports over the weekend by the New York Times and Washington Post harks back to the anti-communist witch-hunt of the 1950s.

The FBI’s police state operation against Trump

By Patrick Martin, 14 January 2019

A New York Times report aimed at reviving the anti-Russia campaign against Trump exposes a conspiracy by the political police of the FBI to negate the results of the 2016 election.

How the French state and big business finance the unions

By Anthony Torres, 15 January 2019

Macron and the pseudo-left parties linked to the unions are calling for the unions to seize control of the “yellow vest” movement.

France’s mass “yellow vest” protests continue to grow in 2019

Thousands of French teachers join “Red Pens” protest on Facebook
“We have the same fight in France as the US”

People’s Assembly protesters back yellow vest movement, unity of European workers

More on the 'yellow vest' protests in France »

The Strategy of International Class Struggle and the Political Fight Against Capitalist Reaction in 2019

By James Cogan, Joseph Kishore and David North, 3 January 2019

The year 2019 begins amidst the explosive interaction of geopolitical, economic and social crises. All over the world the ruling class is turning to ultra-right and neo-fascist politicians and organizations to defend the capitalist system. The threat of dictatorship and war can be defeated only through the political mobilization of the working class on the basis of an international socialist strategy.

Hypocritical outrage from media, politicians after latest racist outburst by Iowa Congressman Steve King

By Trévon Austin, 14 January 2019

US astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson targeted by #MeToo campaign

By David Walsh, 12 January 2019

Actor Kevin Spacey arraigned on indecent assault charge in Massachusetts

Arts Review

The Largess of the Sea Maiden—Short stories by American author Denis Johnson

By Sandy English, 15 January 2019

Johnson (1949-2017) wrote convincingly and often movingly about the painful personal conundrums that people found themselves in, particularly as social conditions declined in the US in the 1970s and beyond.

We The Workers: A limited documentary about labour rights groups in China

By Richard Phillips, 14 January 2019

Steins;Gate 0: A sequel to the popular time-travel anime series

By Matthew MacEgan, 12 January 2019

If Beale Street Could Talk: A film version of the James Baldwin novel

South Park episodes dramatize plight of Amazon workers, ridicule Jeff Bezos

Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko: A novel of 20th century Korea and Japan—“History has failed us, but no matter”

Workers Struggles

Six-hour strike by Honduran public health workers over wage demand
Workers Struggles: The Americas

15 January 2019

The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

Australia: Casual coal miners begin week long strike in Wollongong

By Oscar Grenfell, 14 January 2019

New Zealand doctors prepare nationwide strike

By Tom Peters, 14 January 2019

Security personnel at German airports continue protest strikes

By K. Nesan and Marianne Arens, 12 January 2019

“The Teamsters won’t fight for us. It’s not a good contract”
Chicago UPS workers speak out against sellout contract

By George Marlowe and Jessica Goldstein, 11 January 2018

Amazon hires public relations firm to counter popular hostility to headquarters project in New York City

By Clare Hurley, 11 January 2019

Amazon worker describes brutal conditions at Tracy, California warehouse during Camp Fire

“Amazon ruined my life”
Amazon hired private detectives to spy on injured worker

More on Amazon »

Actors and stage managers strike against developmental work with Broadway League

By Katy Kinner, 11 January 2019

25 years ago: Northridge earthquake strikes Los Angeles

An earthquake struck the city of Los Angeles at 4:30 a.m. on January 17, 1994, centered in the Northridge area of the San Fernando Valley.

More »

50 years ago: Japanese police storm Tokyo University

Over 8,000 riot police moved onto the campus of Tokyo University on January 20, 1969, at the request of school authorities to crush a student occupation.

More »

75 years ago: Soviets launch offensive against siege of Leningrad

On January 14, 1944, the Red Army launched the Leningrad-Novgorod offensive aimed at breaking a protracted Nazi blockade of supplies to Leningrad.

More »

 

100 years ago: World War I victors open “peace conference” in Paris

On January 18, 1919, the imperialist victors in World War I, Britain, France, Italy, Japan and the United States, convened the infamous Paris Peace Conference to divide up the spoils of the four-year-long bloodbath.

More »

Featured Interview

Portland State University threatens to fire Peter Boghossian for authoring “Grievance Studies” hoax

By Eric London, 10 January 2019

The “Grievance Studies” hoax exposes postmodernist charlatans

A discussion with Helen Pluckrose, co-author of “Grievance Studies” hoax article

Editorial Cartoon

Military prepares for post-Brexit civil war in Britain and Northern Ireland

Preparations involve 50,000 troops in mainland Britain and 1,000 more police in Northern Ireland—close to half the current size of the British Army and more than the force sent by the government to invade Iraq.

Socialist Equality Party (Germany)

Socialist Equality Party takes legal action against surveillance by German secret service

By the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, 10 January 2019

Dr. Peer Stolle, the lawyer for the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, has submitted formal notice in writing to the German Federal Agency for the Protection of the Constitution. The text of the letter is published here.

Obituary

In memory of Halil Celik (1961–2018)

By the International Committee of the Fourth International, 2 January 2019

Halil Celik, founder and leader of the Sosyalist Eşitlik group, which supports the International Committee of the Fourth International in Turkey, died on December 31, 2018 following a serious illness.

Science

Scientific breakthrough promises to increase agricultural productivity by 40 percent

By Philip Guelpa and Thomas H. Douglass, 9 January 2019

ICFI meeting announcement

Indian Trotskyists in Kolkata to celebrate 80 years of the Fourth International

7 January 2019

The Kolkata meeting will review the essential political lessons of the protracted struggle of the Fourth International and their relevance to the fight for socialist internationalism today.

International Committee of the Fourth International

The 50th anniversary of the founding of the SEP (Sri Lanka)
Victory of the Trotskyists in the 1985–1986 split in the ICFI

By Saman Gunadasa and K. Ratnayake, 29 December 2018

David North addresses New Zealand meeting celebrating 80 years of the Fourth International

By our reporters, 11 December 2018

80th anniversary of the Fourth International celebrated in Melbourne with public lecture

Eighty Years of the Fourth International: The Lessons of History and the Struggle for Socialism Today

By David North, 9 October 2018

On the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Fourth International

Book Review

Rohini Hensman’s Indefensible: The ISO discovers its muse—the CIA

By Alex Lantier, 14 December 2018

Rohini Hensman’s book, issued by the International Socialist Organization’s (ISO) Haymarket Books publishing house, is an endorsement of imperialist war.

Part one | Part two | Part three | Part four

Socialist Equality Party

Resolution of the SEP (UK) Fourth National Congress
The resurgence of the class struggle and the tasks of the Socialist Equality Party (UK)

By the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 6 December 2018

This resolution was unanimously adopted by the Fourth National Congress of the Socialist Equality Party in Britain, which was held October 27-30, 2018.

Security and the Fourth International

The origins and findings of the Security and the Fourth International investigation

By Eric London, 14 November 2018

This is the text and audio of a lecture delivered by Eric London in Detroit, Michigan reviewing the monumental investigation conducted by the International Committee of the Fourth International titled Security and the Fourth International, which exposed the infiltration of the movement by agents of the FBI and Stalinist GPU.

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Seventy-eight years since the assassination of Leon Trotsky

By Eric London and David North, 21 August 2018

On August 21, 1940, Leon Trotsky, the founder of the Fourth International and the co-leader of the Russian Revolution, died from wounds inflicted the day before by an assassin, the Stalinist GPU agent Ramon Mercader.