Today, South Africa will be rocked by a one day general strike called by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu). Dave Stockton argues that it shows the explosive class contradictions in the African National Congress (ANC) and that South African workers need their own party, not the popular front. Read more...

We express our total solidarity with the hunger strikers of COBAS, fighting for the democratic rights of workers in the private sector to hold meetings in work time and to join the trade union of their choice. Read more...

Comrades,

Mayday is a special day in the tradition of the workers movement. From 1889 we have protested against exploitation, war, racism simultaneously with our fellow workers in all the countries of the world. Some of us will suffer severe repression today for celebrating the workers festival. Those of us who have won the legal right to celebrate Mayday should highlight the heroism of those who still have not. Read more...

It’s an old message, but one that remains true today: unity is strength. On your own, you can do nothing against the power of your employer. But together, workers can resist their employers’ attacks. That is why wherever industry exists, wherever a working class is created, trade unions will be formed. Read more...

Current strike after the break down of negotiations at Skoda VW Mlada Boleslav will have without any doubts great impact on all workers’ struggles for higher wages and better working conditions in coming years. Trade unions at Skoda were one of the few who were in the past years able to successfully fight for decent conditions, with the last strike two years ago. Good economic results of the company, surge of profits and sold cars, have signalled to the Skoda workers that it is their credit as producers and that it should be reflected also in their pay - not only in the wallets of shareholders who hardy lift their hands. Read more...

Four general strikes of 60 days in total during the past year have posed point blank the question: who rules society? The workers have defied martial law and faced down army terror tactics, leading the Guinean masses against the misrule of President Lansana Conte and his cronies. Read more...

The Oaxaca commune has been defeated and a wave of repression has been unleashed.

Keith Spencer argues that while the popular movement has been thrown back, the masses in Mexico must come out on the streets to defend Oaxaca and drive Calderon from office Read more...

In Rome an 80,000 strong demonstration made its way from Porta Pia to Piazza Barberini and impressive demonstrations took place in Naples, Milan and Florence. According to union organisers at least one and a half million workers took strike action and more than 300,000 participated in the street protests. Mass rallies took place in 27 major towns and cities. In addition some 50 per cent of schools were closed with many of their students joining the demonstrations. Read more...