Since it’s founding on October 2, 1945, the WFTU has fought against capitalism, imperialism and war, and fought for justice for workers and building class-consciousness in unions. The WFTU stands in contrast to the Yellow Union collaborationists on the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The WFTU has stood by it’s principles of class-consciousness in trade unions and fighting against capitalist exploitation and imperialist war.

The WFTU, along with the various unions both local and international, held rallies and protests on October 1 and 2nd, culminating in a meeting held at a worker’s exchange in Paris. WFTU President Michael Mzwandile Makwayiba gave a digital greeting, then speeches were given by head of the Unione Sindicale di Base, Cynzia Della Porta, the prior General Secretary and Honorary President of the WFTU, George Mavrikos, and a speech was given by a representative of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions. Then WFTU General Secretary Pambis Kyritis gave a speech on the struggles and victories of the past 80 years and gave optimism to the future of the WFTU.

LUEL salutes the WFTU for 80 years of class struggle against exploitation by monopoly capitalism and will work with the WFTU to build presence and class-consciousness here in the United States. Long live the WFTU!

The post WFTU Celebrates 80th Anniversary in Paris first appeared on Labor Today.

Aside from LUEL, other panel members included representatives from the museum itself, Public Rail Now (PRN), Sustainable Earth Council (SEC) and Movement for People’s Democracy (MPD). The event was also streamed live online, bringing the total number of participants both online and in person to about 20 people.

The event started off with a performance of a well-known gospel song “This Train,” then each panelist delivered a speech about the importance of nationalizing railroads from the perspective of their organization’s mission. Participants were able to ask questions and share their thoughts for the last segment.

Representing Public Rail Now was Adam Barrington, expressing how dire the conditions of railroads in the US are, from the implementation of the disastrous Precision Scheduled Railroading to the major decline in recruiting and retaining railroad workers. Adam also emphasized the necessity of rail workers taking the lead to properly handle freight and passenger lines and how crucial their role is in nationalizing the rail industry.

Other panelists showed solidarity with the cause and spoke on why their organization supports PRN. Movement for People’s Democracy is a coalition of various mass movements, including climate activists such as those from SEC or labor organizers such as members of LUEL. According to MPD representative Larry, “this is about more than just trains. This is about democracy,” where workers can have a safe, stable and well-paying job, and families can enjoy affordable, eco-friendly transportation.

Sustainable Earth Council speaker Shruti elaborated on how damaging the current rail system is to the environment due to train derailments which spill tons of toxic chemicals and general inefficiency of the freight lines. SEC advocates for a future where nationalizing the railroads will lead to safer working conditions and adequate staff to prevent derailments, as well as a reliable, efficient travel option for people all over the country.

Labor United Educational League showed their support to the rail workers, who receive no concessions from the rail companies in their contract and risk their health and safety on the job. LUEL speaker Tim mentioned it was the 80^th anniversary of the World Federation of Train Unions (WFTU), an organization dedicated to uniting workers all over the world, including rail workers. “It is time we went on the offensive. It is up to us today to learn from the past and to build a fighting coalition which can draw support from everyone who sees the utility in a railroad system that serves the American people,” according to Tim.

In summary, the event was quite a success and helped further cement these organizations in the cause for Public Rail Now. As the movement gains momentum, hopefully in the future events such as this one become common and heavily attended, further gaining followers and supporters for a Campaign for Public Rail Now.

Panel sobre Public Rail Now en el Museo del Trabajo

El pasado fin de semana, 4 de octubre, la Labor United Educational League (LUEL) organizó una mesa redonda en apoyo a la campaña “Public Rail Now”. El evento se celebró en el Museo Americano del Trabajo en Haledon, Nueva Jersey. Este sitio histórico fue el punto de encuentro de la Huelga de la Seda de Paterson de 1913.

Además de LUEL, otros panelistas incluyeron representantes del propio museo, de Public Rail Now (PRN), del Consejo de la Tierra Sostenible (SEC) y del Movimiento por la Democracia Popular (MPD). El evento también se transmitió en vivo en línea, lo que elevó el número total de participantes, tanto en línea como presencialmente, a aproximadamente 20 personas.

El evento comenzó con la interpretación de la conocida canción gospel “This Train” (Este Tren), y luego cada panelista pronunció un discurso sobre la importancia de nacionalizar los ferrocarriles desde la perspectiva de la misión de su organización. Los participantes pudieron hacer preguntas y compartir sus ideas para el último segmento.

En representación de Public Rail Now, Adam Barrington expresó la grave situación de los ferrocarriles en Estados Unidos, desde la implementación del desastroso sistema ferroviario de precisión (Precision Scheduled Railroading) hasta la drástica disminución en la contratación y retención de trabajadores ferroviarios. Adam también enfatizó la necesidad de que los trabajadores ferroviarios tomen la iniciativa para gestionar adecuadamente las líneas de carga y pasajeros, y la crucial importancia de su papel en la nacionalización de la industria ferroviaria.

Otros panelistas se solidarizaron con la causa y explicaron por qué su organización apoya a PRN. El Movimiento por la Democracia Popular es una coalición de diversos movimientos de masas, incluyendo activistas climáticos como los de la SEC o organizadores sindicales como los miembros de LUEL. Según Larry, representante del MPD, “esto va más allá de los trenes. Se trata de democracia”, donde los trabajadores puedan tener un trabajo seguro, estable y bien remunerado, y sus familias puedan disfrutar de un transporte asequible y ecológico.

Shruti, portavoz del Consejo de la Tierra Sostenible, explicó los daños que el sistema ferroviario actual causa al medio ambiente debido a los descarrilamientos de trenes, que derraman toneladas de sustancias químicas tóxicas, y a la ineficiencia general de las líneas de carga. La SEC aboga por un futuro donde la nacionalización de los ferrocarriles genere condiciones laborales más seguras y personal suficiente para prevenir descarrilamientos, así como una opción de transporte confiable y eficiente para personas de todo el país.

La Liga Educativa Unida del Trabajo (LUEL) mostró su apoyo a los trabajadores ferroviarios, quienes no reciben ninguna concesión de las compañías ferroviarias en su contrato y arriesgan su salud y seguridad en el trabajo. El orador de LUEL, Tim, mencionó que era el 80.º aniversario de la Federación Mundial de Sindicatos Ferroviarios (FSM), una organización dedicada a unir a los trabajadores de todo el mundo, incluidos los ferroviarios. “Es hora de pasar a la ofensiva. Nos corresponde hoy aprender del pasado y construir una coalición de lucha que pueda obtener el apoyo de todos los que ven la utilidad de un sistema ferroviario que sirve al pueblo estadounidense”, según Tim.

En resumen, el evento fue todo un éxito y ayudó a consolidar aún más la causa de estas organizaciones por el Public Rail Now. A medida que el movimiento gane impulso, esperamos que en el futuro eventos como este se vuelvan comunes y con gran asistencia, ganando más seguidores y simpatizantes para la Campaña por el Public Rail Now.

The post Public Rail Now Panel Held at Labor Museum first appeared on Labor Today.

209 years after that date, the working people continue to fight for their definitive independence, in a context of the advance of capital that seeks a society without freedom or rights for workers. In this sense, the government headed by President Javier Milei is carrying out disastrous policies that go in the direction historically defined by the enemies of the people. However, the multiplicity of sectors across the country, including retirees, who are confronting their reactionary initiatives are a clear example that the people, as in those days, are willing to wage whatever battles are necessary to thwart the anti-popular and quisling attempts of the government and its allies, while also building a just and democratic society.

In this regard, from the National Coordinating Board of Retiree and Pensioner Organizations, we urge grassroots organizations to converge in common actions with a united attitude to achieve our objectives.

“THE ONLY BATTLE YOU LOSE IS THE ONE YOU ABANDON”
Argentina, July 7, 2025

The post ARGENTINA: Wednesday Retiree Update first appeared on Labor Today.

Over 30,000 people took to the streets with USB to demand a class-based alternative based on peace and justice.The extraordinary national demonstration organised with the Disarmiamoli coalition group concluded in Rome, with over 30,000 people participating, including workers, young people, students, activists, and trade unionists.

The crowd shouted clear messages to the country: ‘No more war! No more rearmament! No more complicity with NATO, the arms industry or the genocide of the Palestinian people!’Today’s demonstration was an integral part of the national general strike called by USB on 20 June.

This strike united the struggle against rearmament with demands for higher wages, more rights and welfare to defend public health and education and save an industrial apparatus sinking deeper every month.

While the Meloni government continues European policies by pouring billions into rearmament and militarisation, ordinary people suffer: hospitals are collapsing, schools are being closed down, and deindustrialisation is desertifying territories while rents are skyrocketing.In this context, continuing to invest in weapons, military missions and aggressive alliances such as NATO — which is complicit in the genocide currently being carried out in Gaza by the terrorist state of Israel — is a political, social and moral crime that must be strongly denounced.

Yesterday’s demonstrations and protest initiatives throughout Italy, along with today’s large rally, confirm USB’s position as a trade union and class alternative, connecting the defence of social rights with the struggle against permanent global war.

The post ITALY: USB Holds Historic Day of Protest Against War and Rearmament first appeared on Labor Today.

We are inspired by the courage of the people of Los Angeles and join in their call for Brother Huerta’s release, and the release of all those who have been persecuted in the Trump Administration’s vicious and hateful raids.

Make no mistake – Brother Huerta’s arrest and the ongoing violence directed at our immigrant communities constitute an attack on the entire working class. We must stand together and fight for our sisters and brothers who are being harassed, arrested, detained, and deported. An injury to one is an injury to all.

In Solidarity,
Public Rail Now

The post Public Rail Now Condemns the Arrest of David Huerta and Stands in Solidarity with Immigrant Communities first appeared on Labor Today.

We retirees have begun to outright reject the policies of Javier Milei’s government from the moment he took office. No wonder. The level of inhumanity of these bootlicking stooges of the US and Israel in geopolitics and economic power, as their employees, knows no bounds.

Every day that passes, we learn of a new betrayal of the Argentine people, and particularly of the working people. Therefore, it is extremely important and auspicious to see how, week after week, our call to protest before Congress is growing, not only with more retirees but also with new sectors punished by the government and its “dialoguing” allies.

This Wednesday, June 4th, we will be surrounded by workers from the Garraham Hospital, families of people with disabilities, especially children, researchers from Conicet (National Council of Workers), migrants, representatives of indigenous peoples, those laid off by the state and private sectors, and, above all, the Ni Una Menos collective.

It has been mentioned a lot lately, starting with the series El Eternauta (The Eternalist), but it is a slogan that, for us, comes from the depths of history:

“No one is saved alone.”

For this reason, we call for a united, broad front of workers that will halt and destroy all the reactionary policies pursued by this government, with the miserable complicity of the so-called “dialogue-oriented” opposition, and, in turn, build the political tool defined and led by the working class that will build the new, just, and democratic society we dream of.

The post ARGENTINA: Wednesday Retiree Update first appeared on Labor Today.

This anniversary coincides with that of the WFTU, which is celebrating its 80^th anniversary, a world trade union federation of class and mass struggle. CATH salutes its efforts and wishes the WFTU a long life. Today, CATH, as a member of the Trade Union International of Leather, Clothing, Textiles, and Footwear workers and the Trade Union International of Pensioners and Retirees, notes that all struggles to change the living conditions of workers encounter enormous obstacles that are difficult to overcome (low wages, the high cost of living, mistreatment of workers in the workplace, systematic violations of their rights, dismissals without apparent cause, non-payment of workers’ contributions to the Old Age Insurance (ONA) pensions and the Workplace Accident, Sickness and Maternity Insurance Office (OFATMA) benefits, etc.). These obstacles have led not only to the degeneration of the country but also to the deepening poverty of our workers.

What are the root causes of this situation? For more than three (3) decades, Haiti has experienced only shadow governments appointed by the global capitalist and imperialist system, exploiting the labor force of our workers. These visionless, irresponsible, careless, and useless leaders are working for the destruction of their country. They prefer to join the so-called “state banditry” to decimate an entire defenseless people for the benefit of capitalist and imperialist countries that want to suck the blood of our workers at all costs. Therefore, banditry is a vicious lever of exploitation.

CATH, as a class-based and mass trade union organization, cannot associate itself with unhealthy and unacceptable initiatives. CATH denounces with repugnance the destructive policies pursued by the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), which fail to take into account the situation of the Haitian people, particularly workers and pensioners.

More than 97% of the Haitian capital has been handed over to terrorists, in full view of the CPT. This is intentional and planned. May 18, the date on which the Haitian people celebrate their flag and university, is seen as a secondary event because the government cannot celebrate it in its usual location due to the occupation of that site by the desired and planned terrorists. The location of the May 18 celebration has been transferred this year to Cap-Haïtien following the security crisis. What a shame for the government and the CPT! The leaders placed at the head of state solely to steal and plunder resources have failed in their republican responsibilities. They cannot give any satisfaction to the Haitian people, knowing that corruption is the rule.

The CATH notes that: The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) spent a year doing nothing, disregarding the Haitian people; 2. The referendum promised by this government team failed miserably, even though the leaders already know the extent of the security crisis and constitute a blockage. The leaders persisted until failure to save bonuses, per diems, etc.

The government is not taking any security measures to protect the Haitian population (for example, the territories controlled by terrorists are increasing, namely: Kenscoff, Pétion-ville, Delmas, Port-au-Prince, Croix-des-Bouquets, Gressier, Artibonite, Mirebalais, Carrefour, Arcahaie, etc.) and they have issued threats to take over other important municipalities.

CATH demands:

An adjustment of the minimum wage to 2,500 gourdes ($19.14);

The unconditional departure of the useless, disengaged, and irresponsible members of the CPT.

Long live the workers’ struggle!
Long live CATH!
May peace reign in Haiti!
Thank you!

Louis Fignole SAINT-CYR
General Secretary
Autonomous Center of Haitian Workers (CATH)

The post CATH Position on its 40th Anniversary, Which Coincide With the 80th Anniversary of the WFTU first appeared on Labor Today.

Instrumental in this task were certain officials who set the guidelines for economic and social policies. One of them was José Alfredo Martínez de Hoz, who, as Minister of Economy, defined and implemented policies harmful to working people. Another was Domingo Felipe Cavallo, former president of the Central Bank during the last dictatorship, among other positions he held before and after, and who, as Minister of Economy under Menem, created the AFJP (Financial Pension Funds). All of the above is relevant because they are two figures admired by President Javier Milei, who, from their positions of public office, only brought misery and pain to the people.

We, the Coordinating Board of Retiree and Pensioner Organizations, point this out because the Pension System in Argentina is just beginning to be debated, which requires us retirees to make the greatest efforts to disseminate our proposal. It consists, in essence, of a public, supportive, pay-as-you-go, intergenerational, assisted system, led and administered by active workers and retirees, with the participation of the State, as the National Constitution states, it is the guarantor of social security.
It is important to emphasize that any pension system is closely related to the current labor system. You cannot expect the best retirement system with job insecurity and informality, miserable wages, the absence of employer contributions, and a negligent State.

The slogan remains the same: “We are all retirees, it’s just a matter of time.” We call on the working people to join our struggle through unions and central organizations, as well as social, cultural, student, and political organizations within a broad framework of unity.

The post ARGENTINA: Wednesday Retiree Update first appeared on Labor Today.

Taken over and forced into administration by the Albanese government, CFMEU workers and their officials are being hounded, spied on, and subjected to intimidation by the state, including the Australian Federal Police. The administrators are using the union’s money to persecute its members.

Although Labor officially disbanded the ABCC and transferred most of its vicious anti-union, anti-worker powers to the Fair Work Act Commission, the remaining powers are still being wielded as a political weapon aimed at destroying militant trade unionism. The criminalisation of legitimate trade union activity and use of the courts to bleed unions of their funds remains in place, albeit with reduced penalties.

Union officials attempting to recruit members, speak to their members or organise in the workplace are still being prosecuted. Workers who take industrial action to protect their wages and working conditions or refuse to work in unsafe conditions are pursued.

The ABCC used its draconian powers to call workers in for secret interrogation sessions. Failure to attend or refusal to inform on who said what at a union meeting was punishable by huge fines and up to six months jail.

The ABCC was set up by the Howard government and retained in a modified form by the Rudd and Gillard Labor governments under a new name. As well as having drained CFMEU members’ money, it also wasted millions of dollars a year of taxpayers’ money and cost the court system millions more.

The Albanese Labor government placed the Construction and General Division of the union into administration and appointed Mark Irving KC as Administrator on 23 August 2024 for up to five years.

The framework giving Irving incredible powers and absolute control over the union was put in place by former Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.

One of Irving’s first actions was to sack paid union officials in Queensland, NSW, and Victoria and dismantle elected positions and the democratic bodies of the union.

BLEEDING THE CFMEU DRY

The Australian Financial Review (AFR) reports that the administration appointed by Irving has spent $4.4 million in expenses in its first seven months. These costs have been borne by the union’s NSW, Victorian, and Queensland branches.

The bill mostly consists of employees’ hefty salaries and investigation costs, including contractors and consultants. According to the AFR, Irving is paid  $643,640 a year. That will come to $1.9 million over the administration’s minimum three-year term.

Irving’s deputy chief of staff, former Australian Services Union official Michael Flinn, is reportedly paid $330,000 a year.

CFMEU SINGLED OUT

Under the ABCC the construction union paid out tens of millions of dollars in penalties for the ‘crime’ of chasing workers’ unpaid entitlements and attempting to make construction sites safe. Union officials and workers were also fined for organising and taking action.

The ABCC’s obsession was such that some of the cases taken to court were petty and vindictive.

For example, in one case the magistrate commented on the waste of time and public funds involved in a long drawn-out case in which an organiser was accused of swearing at a boss, saying: “We have had one witness today about a case whether a bloke took his hat off or didn’t take his hat off and whether he said, f-ck off, to somebody or he didn’t say f-ck off to somebody. One wonders. One wonders about the motive for all this.”

Nonetheless the official was found guilty. The union received a combined total of $12,500 in fines and the organiser lost his right of entry to building sites for 12 months. The organiser was on the site workers were instructed to work in pouring rain on an unsafe site. Never forget; unions make work safer. No job can be too safe.

Now with the union handicapped, bullying and harassment cases are now on the rise.

Despite the hefty penalties, the militant union never let up pursuing bosses who killed and injured workers and stole worker’s entitlements. Those bosses were rarely chased by the ABCC.

IT PAYS TO BE UNION

It is not hard to work out why the CFMEU is the main target. The union has collected millions of dollars for workers who were ripped off by unscrupulous employers. “That’s a lot of hard-earned money back in the pockets of workers for them and their families that they otherwise wouldn’t have,” the union’s Construction Worker reported.  Speaking of rip-offs, the laws being used by the government and employers are funded by the public purse.

Urgent action is required to:

• End the administration of the CFMEU and return the union to its members
• Repeal all anti-union legislation
• Legislate for the unfettered right to strike
• Abolish the system of right of entry permits for union representatives
• Restore all rights to union officials and members
• Not just union coffers have been affected. Workers and their families have been hard hit by the ABCC, and after that, the Albanese government. They should receive full compensation. The International Labour Organisation has repeatedly found the provisions of the laws in breach of international law.

This struggle affects all unions, not just the CFMEU or other unions in the construction industry. If the government in its anti-union campaign on behalf of employers succeeds against the CFMEU, it will come after the other unions.

Guardian readers are urged to write to the Prime Minister, Workplace Relations Minister, their local MP, Senators including the Greens and independents, and contact media outlets and social networks.

The struggle to defeat the government’s attack is the struggle to defend trade unionism in Australia.

Originally published in The Guardian (Australia).

The post AUSTRALIA: Police State Attack on Unions first appeared on Labor Today.

For decades, PAMI has been under intervention, rendering it no longer the public agency in whose direction and administration workers should participate. Quite the contrary, it is run by officials of the current government. As if that weren’t enough, several cases have been reported in different parts of the country recently, evidencing the political misuse of PAMI and the use of its resources to settle internal disputes. The concern or obligation of these bureaucrats, paid with members’ money, to address their pressing needs is far from obvious.

For this reason, on the occasion of the new anniversary of the creation of PAMI, we, the National Coordinating Board of Retiree and Pensioner Organizations, demand:

– The immediate implementation of all benefits without restrictions;

– Establish free access to all medications, including those recently classified as over-the-counter for the benefit of pharmaceutical companies and to the detriment of workers;

– Stop the intervention! Normalize PAMI NOW! Active and retired workers must participate in its management and administration.

The post ARGENTINA: Wednesday Retiree Update first appeared on Labor Today.