The virtual place to go for information on this weekend's International Socialist Convention, is portlandsocialists.org/oregonsocialistconference. The reality-based place is of course, PSU's Smith Hall. For those who are not thoroughly in the spirit of the events, Get there by seeing the documentary, 'Workers' Republic'. It's the story of one of the most important victories in Labor's collective recollection - in this country, at least. The rest of the world is out in front when it comes to hearing from Those Who Create the Wealth on a regular basis.
'Workers' Republic' is a 60-minute documentary that chronicles one of the most important labor victories in recent memory. Three weeks before Christmas 2008, in the depths of the economic crisis, the Chicago company Republic Windows and Doors announced the factory's closure. They informed their work force that they would not be paid for their final week or receive their accrued vacation pay. In a move that harkened back to the sit-down strikes of the 1930s, the workers occupied the doomed factory day and night for nearly a week, declaring they would not leave until they were given what their employer owed them. The workers won over the public to their cause and the story made headlines all over the world. 'Workers' Republic' conveys the courage, the creativity, and the solidarity of those window-builders who vowed to stand up for their rights. See it! PSU 5th Avenue Cinema 510 SW Hall St. 7 pm. Free.
The Devil never sleeps: Aabout 200 SEIU Local 49 worrkers at the McKenzie-Willamette Hospital in Springfield were out on strike this week. They have been working without a contract since June. The way the story has been reported in the mainstream media one wopuld think that Management were Father Christmas come to bring joy to the childlike employees ...only to be rudely rebuffed by said workers. The facts are, of course, very different. Management - contrary to reports - won't talk. Union members have been offered a pittance of a raise while at the same time their healthcare and retirement saving plans have been gutted. That's the deal they are being presented with. That's why they were out on strike this past Wednesday. And that's why this nation is rapidly approaching Third world discepancies between the very rich and the rest of us.
And - mirabile dictum! - University Regents announced another tuition hike - plus further vicious attacks on the little that has been left to University workers... This week students and workers marched on campuses across the state.
- KBOO