Holiday cheer: Red Star Horoscope

The
Rebel Youth Magazine 

ARIES Mar 21|Apr 19

Kudos to University of Toronto students for cancelling your Annual General Meeting.  Don’t stop here, however. Why not abolish the student union altogether, and have the U of T administration run it? If this doesn't sound appealing to you, Aries, maybe today would be a good time to begin organizing a broad-based grass-roots student mobilization for access to education and push back against the right-wing bums on campus.

TAURUS Apr 20 | May 20

Because of some negative planetary alignments or perhaps because of the growing struggle against Bill 115, you may have done something mildly subversive for a high school student and recently supported a solidarity rally for your teachers. Good work, Taurus.  Remember: teach'urs workin' conditions are ur learn'un conditions.

GEMINI May 21 | Jun 20

You may be tempted to skip school and spray-paint revolutionary slogans around the town. Before you start, remember Upper Canada College in Toronto. At $52,990 per year (plus admission and other fees) this is where capitalists go to high school. Grads include Conrad Black and J.C. Eaton.  You probably agree we need to put corporations under control and build socialism, so Gemini, maybe its time for a google map search.

CANCER Jun 21 | Jul 22

Have you noticed the personality cult developing around Thomas Mulclair? Well, we haven't seen much personality but it sure seems culty the way NDPers are forgiving their leader for pushing that party further and further to the right. Time to check out joining the YCL...

LEO Jul 23 | Aug 22

Punk group Anti-Flag is calling all punks to vote. “I don’t think there is anything more punk than trying to better the world,” says Chris Barker. In Canada, a recent survey shows 78 percent of 18 to 20 year-olds don’t vote. Not surprisingly, “Didn’t Care,” No appealing Parties, and “Too busy” surviving were the main reasons. This election, Leo, be a shit-disturber with a solution and vote Communist.

VIRGO Aug 23 | Sep 22

This week, Virgo, you may be denounced by a Trotskyist group, or other ultra-leftists. Don’t worry.  There more important ideological battles. And can you take a group seriously when they call themselves by the initials 'Prats'?

SCORPIO Oct 23 | Nov 21

It’s true: Barbie dumped Ken. Eight years ago. Okay so we are a little out of date but really “Mattel should just admit what we’ve all suspected, that Ken is gay,” said a York University Professor. This week, Scorpio, do the same and dump that sweat-shop doll’s body-image.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 | Dec 21

Capitalism is inherently screwed-up. For example, minimum wage across Canada is way too low. A full-time minimum wage worker in Ontario earns at least $7000 below the poverty line each month. It is a good time to consider your relationship to the means of production, and join the fightback. Don’t sit there passively, Sagittarius, hoping that fate will be nice to you. See you in the struggle!

CAPRICORN Dec 22 | Jan 19

You might check out a movie soon. “The Corporation” has been on for a while, so you may want to see the Wolfgang Becker’s Film “Goob Bye, Lenin!” about East German “ostalgia.” Yes, it’s a way better film than “The Cat in the Hat.” But don’t be confused. This is still a petit-bourgeois critique of socialism done by people who benefit from the capitalist regime, but can’t ignore the fact things are now worse in the former East Germany.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 | Feb 18

If you are a young worker somebody might approach you with a union card soon.  Sign it. Lately, workers have organized a series of protests outside WalMart's across the United States calling for union rights. Organizing work places is an effective way to fightback against the capitalist class.

PISCES Feb 19 | Mar 20

It’s check-in time, Pisces. Have you been drinking too much beer? Did you know that Molson and Labatt have a duo-monopoly, taking in roughly 90 percent of Canadian beer sales? Your slogan should be: Beer for the people, not for profit! And let’s nationalize the NHL while we’re at it.

Kimberly was deported today by Harper - shame.

Dear Members of Parliament,

We are writing to request that you reconsider your decision to deport Kimberly Rivera. We do not see how you can justify deporting Kimberly to a U.S. military prison for up to five years and at the same time say that you are for families and against crime? To us, it seems you are still fighting and supporting George Bush's war in Iraq.

Kimberly ought not to serve one second in custody, nor should she experience the pain of losing her four children.

To us, you are trampling on the graves of the 50 million people who died in the Second World War. That war taught us soldiers must feel and be protected if they refuse to participate in war crimes. Let us put it this way. A police officer who is ordered to commit a crime can always resign. A soldier ordered to commit a crime too often has a far more difficult time resigning, and you need to understand that.

Some of you are replying to letters from our supporters saying that Kimberly has broken the law in the U.S. by deserting the army. But in fact she followed international law by refusing to participate in an illegal, unjust war in which the U.S. military committed serious crimes on a monumental scale, killing hundreds of thousands of people and wrecking Iraq's economy, social programs, historical treasures and the environment for tens of thousands of years with depleted uranium.

This fully justifies her decision to desert. She complied with international law. It is the Conservative government that is breaking the law by not upholding Canada's legal obligation to oppose war crimes and to help soldiers who oppose such crimes.

The most important and progressive legacy of fascism's defeat in the Second World War is the United Nations Charter which sets out important laws for the future of humanity, including requirements to avoid war as a way of resolving disputes between nations - ignored in Iraq's case. As the Nuremberg Nazi trials established, soldiers could no longer say they were "just following orders" to avoid responsibility for war crimes.

We are also concerned that you do not care that you would be sending Kimberly to a harsh military prison in an army rife with serious sexual abuse and torture, as Bradley Manning is experiencing according to the U.N. special rapporteur on torture and hundreds of U.S. legal scholars.

We would appreciate a reply to our question: Will you reconsider?


Young Communist League of Canada

Submission on Bill 115 Putting Students First Act

From the Communist Party of Canada (Ontario)

September 6, 2012

The Communist Party of Canada (Ontario) calls on the Liberal government to withdraw Bill 115, the misnamed “Putting Students First Act”, as unconstitutional, an attack on free collective bargaining, an attack on the local autonomy and democracy of elected School Boards, and an attack on quality public education in Ontario.   If Bill 115 is passed, it will open up an attack on the collective bargaining rights of all public sector workers in Ontario, threatening the labour, democratic and civil rights of all citizens.

In the event Bill 115 proceeds to a vote, we call on MPPs across all parties who support quality public education to defeat it.

The provincial government is not the bargaining agent and has no bargaining rights, and no legal rights to impose a collective agreement on either Ontario School Boards or the education unions that negotiate with them.  It is noteworthy that collective agreements were in force right across the province in August when the government drew up this Bill and began its disinformation and fear-mongering campaign that schools would not open September 3 due to imminent strikes and lock-outs.

In fact, if the provincial government had not interfered School Boards and education unions in the province would have been in negotiations in September working towards collective agreements.

The only crisis in education today is the one wholly manufactured in Queen’s Park by the Liberal government which has continued the policy of the chronic under-funding of education that was started by its predecessors the Harris Tories. The Liberals have followed the example of the Harris government and its Education Minister John Snobelen, and ‘created a useful crisis’ in an attempt to remove large sums of money from their education transfers over the next two years.

The real crisis is not in education, it’s in the spring budget where the Liberals undertook deep cuts to education, health, and social spending as recommended by Ontario’s bankers and corporations in the Drummond Report.  Some cuts made by the provincial government are even deeper than those proposed by Drummond.

Removing funding from education is not a vote-getter as the government well knows.  So the problem for the government was how to remove these funds without also losing public support.

Attacking unions and education workers as greedy, and counter-posing their wages, benefits and pensions to the full-day kindergarten programs being rolled out across the province, is the government’s cynical solution.

But it has back-fired as the results of the Kitchener Waterloo by-election are showing.  The public is rejecting union-bashing and attacks on free collective bargaining, quality public education, and local autonomy and democracy.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has warned that Bill 115 is unconstitutional and that the round-table discussions with OECTA and the French Boards took place under duress.

The ‘agreements’ were forced, and therefore not legal.

The unions in the education sector have stated they will challenge Bill 115 all the way to the Supreme Court, should it pass September 10th.

They could be joined by the province’s School Boards whose collective bargaining rights have also been eliminated, and whose authority over collective bargaining, budgeting, and in other vital areas is also attacked in Bill 115.

The government should withdraw Bill 115, and instead deliver the over-due and long-promised needs-based funding formula for public education, which would enable collective bargaining to proceed quickly and new collective agreements to be ratified.

Finally, we call on the government to heed the UN Human Rights Committee and end the discriminatory funding of religious schools in Ontario.   In fairness, as Quebec and Newfoundland  have already done, Ontario should phase out Catholic School funding and establish a single, secular, and quality public school system open to all – regardless of religion, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality.

Ending the duplication of two parallel school systems would save billions of taxpayer dollars over the long haul, generating needed funds for investment in capital repairs as well as programs and operating costs.  This will deliver a better quality education for all.

The government cannot ‘put students first’ if it puts teachers, educational workers, school boards, and democracy last.  We call on all MPPs to defeat Bill 115, if the government refuses to withdraw the Bill.

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Rowley
Executive Committee
Communist Party of Canada (Ontario)

No war in Iran - a message from the Communist Party of Canada

Dear comrades and friends,

We are writing you with regard to the ever-growing danger of aggression and war in the Middle East – especially foreign aggression against Syria and Iran – and the need for all peace-loving individuals, groups and organizations across Canada to speak out against any such aggression, and to condemn the role of the Harper government in imposing crippling sanctions, breaking off diplomatic relations and helping to whip up an atmosphere of war hysteria with its bellicose and dangerously irresponsible statements.

The prevailing propaganda campaign in the mass media and from government circles would have Canadians believe that this drive to war is motivated by the most noble of considerations: the humanitarian “responsibility to protect” (R2P) innocent civilians from a bloodthirsty government (in the case of Syria), and the need to prevent a nuclear holocaust brought on by a fanatical regime (in the case of Iran).  Nothing could be further from the truth!

The real intent of this aggressive campaign is to further weaken and destabilize these governments and bring about ‘regime change’ to impose ‘US friendly’ client states in these countries; to completely isolate and crush the Palestinian movement once and for all; and to consolidate Western imperialist domination over the oil resources of  this entire region.

Whatever differences or criticisms one might have of the governments in either Syria or Iran, it is essential to see through this elaborate construction of demonization and lies, and to oppose imperialist designs on this region which, if unopposed, will invariably lead to another catastrophic war (or wars). Instead, we must reject foreign interference and aggression, uphold the national sovereignty of all states, and support peaceful resolutions to conflicts in the region.

The Canadian Peace Alliance has called for demonstrations and rallies across the country on October 6th to denounce the recent decision by the Harper government to sever all diplomatic ties with Iran, to oppose any NATO military intervention in Syria and to call for an end to the ongoing war and occupation in Afghanistan (the 11th anniversary of which will be on October 7).

The Call for an International Day of Anti-war Action on October 6th is an important initiative, and we urge all members and friends of the Communist Party, and all progressive-minded people to mobilize the largest and widest mobilizations possible on October 6th. If local peace and solidarity groups are organizing a local event, we urge you to support and help build for their success. If nothing is yet planned in your area, we encourage you to initiate an anti-war action.

The Communist Party of Canada has taken clear and principled positions on both Syria and Iran, which we reproduce below. As always, we welcome your consideration and feedback.

Central Executive Committee,
Communist Party of Canada

BC public employees demand "Fair deal now!"

People's Voice Vancouver Bureau

     The sands of time appear to be running out for British Columbia's Liberal government, but that hasn't stopped Premier Christy Clark from picking a fight with public sector workers. Over 25,000 members of three unions held a one-day walkout on Sept. 5, closing liquor stores and many government offices in 153 communities.

     The one-day action did not include child protection workers, correctional officers and forest firefighters. Hospital, ferry and school workers were also not on strike.

     But further action is expected as the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU), Canadian Office and Professional Employees Local 378 (Insurance Corporation of BC employees), and the Professional Employees Association (representing over 1,200 licensed professionals) press for a new collective agreement after two years of frozen pay rates.

     For months, the Liberals have been 20% or more behind Adrian Dix's NDP in the polls, and nearly half of Clark's caucus say they will not run in the May 2013 provincial election. In fact, the B.C. Conservatives are challenging the Liberals for second place. Barring the unexpected, next spring could see an electoral tsunami sweep the Liberals out into the Pacific.

     A survey conducted in late August for the B.C. Federation of Labour showed that a majority of B.C. residents agreed with the statement that public sector workers should at least get a cost of living increase without having to take cuts elsewhere in their collective agreement (38 per cent strongly agree, 36 per cent somewhat agree).

     Almost as many backed the public sector workers job action if the government refuses to offer at least a cost of living wage increase (28 per cent strongly agreed, and 33 per cent somewhat agreed).

     In another significant finding, most British Columbians support an increase in corporate taxes (79%) and a surtax on high‑income earners (80%). This overwhelming sentiment could help pressure an incoming NDP government to reverse the Campbell Liberal tax cuts which mainly benefitted the wealthy and the corporations, and to use the resulting revenues to raise public sector salaries and improve social programs.

     In a media commentary issued for the Sept. 5 one-day walkout, the leaders of the three unions said, "For the first time in more than 20 years, the entire government of B.C. is behind picket lines today in support of a fair and reasonable collective agreement...

     "We have not taken the decision to strike lightly - striking is our only recourse to a fair deal. B.C. has the leanest public service in Canada on a per‑capita basis. In 2010, with the world economy in the doldrums, B.C. government workers did their part and took two years with no wage increases. Their last increase was three and a half years ago, which amounts to a five‑per‑cent wage cut after you take inflation into account. COPE 378 members have been without a contract for over two years, with wages stagnant since 2009.

     "BCGEU and PEA members can't keep falling behind the higher cost of living. BCGEU public‑sector workers are asking for a wage increase of 3.5 per cent in Year 1 and a cost‑of‑living allowance in Year 2. The PEA is also seeking inflation‑based increases, which is reasonable. Non‑union workers across Canada can expect average wage increases of 3.2 per cent next year, according to global consulting firm Mercer.

     "By contrast, Victoria's final offer to the PEA and BCGEU amounted to 3.5 per cent over two years, amounting to a further wage cut after inflation. ICBC offered COPE 378 less - a four‑year contract with one‑per‑cent increases in the last two years.

Government workers cannot subsidize the operation of the B.C. government through continued wage cuts. A looming shortage of professionals is forecast in the next couple of years and real wage cuts only exacerbate the problem. Maintaining a strong professional workforce after years of job cuts is a priority for the PEA.

     "Three‑quarters of British Columbians don't want the men and women - and 60 per cent of the public service are women - on the front lines of public service falling further behind, according to a recent Environics survey. Seventy‑four per cent said public sector workers should at least get a cost of living increase without having to take cuts elsewhere. A majority also supports our one‑day strike.

     "We do not want to increase your taxes. Instead, the BCGEU made several proposals that would generate additional revenue for the government.

     "Of 197 public liquor stores, 175 are closed on Sundays. Opening them seven days a week would generate up to $100 million annually...

     "Assigning additional duties to the B.C. Sheriff Services would save money and generate revenue. In Alberta, sheriffs handle traffic duties alongside the RCMP. The successful program was doubled in size in the first year, and spawned $111 million in new government revenue in 2009‑10, half of which was returned to general revenue. Expanded sheriff duties would also reduce health care costs by improving road safety, alleviating delays in courts and freeing up police to focus on the Criminal Code.

     "COPE Local 378 has suggested savings ICBC will gain by implementing new technologies and work processes should be returned to its workers as improvements to wages and benefits.

     "The time for a fair deal for public sector workers is now."

WFTU meets with South African miners and praises US teachers

South African police have murdered protesting mine workers in demonstrations recently

A high-delegation meeting was held this week in Athens between the World Federation of Trade Unions and the Nation Union of Mine workers of South Africa discussed the situation in South Africa and the mines of Lonmin multinational.

In the discussion NUM was represented by its President, Senzeni Zokwana and Madoda Sambatha, Regional Coordinator for Carletonville. A joint release from the two organizations stated that "the meeting took place in a comradely, sincere and militant spirit" with "an exchange of experiences and a profound debate on the situation of workers in South Africa and around the world."

The trade unionists also discussed the importance of the forthcoming 11th Congress of COSATU and the next Congress of ANC.

The WFTU was represented by George Mavrikos, General Secretary, Mohammed Iqnaibi-of the General Union of Palestinian Workers (Palestine) and Councilor for Middle East issues, and Apostolos Sotiropoulos, Permanent representative of WFTU in UNESCO.

"Through the open, democratic and fraternal discussion, there was agreement between the two delegations" about a number of subjects, they said in the joint release, including:

• Joint initiatives for the rights of miners, the conditions of health and safety, the wages, the labor relations, the social security rights.
• The continuation of the joint comradely effort for COSATU to play a first role in the international level through the lines of the WFTU.
• The joint position of defending the Palestinian People, the Cuban revolution to beat off the imperialist plans.
• Our coordination within the framework of the International Organizations for the benefit of the workers and the unemployed.

In a separate statement also issued recently, the WFTU expressed its solidarity with the teachers on strike in Chicago and demanded the complete satisfaction of their claims. "Education is a social right and not a business," the statement said, adding that "it is a social good. It should serve people's  needs. It needs to be public for all and not to serve the interests of few.

"Teachers around the world are poorly paid and cannot cover their contemporary needs. Labor relations have deteriorated, a large proportion of teachers who work in schools are forced to be satisfied with part-time contracts, are poorly paid and they have no rights," the WFTU added.

The WFTU called on the US and Chicago authorities to meet the demands of striking teachers so that both teachers and pupils to go back to their schools. "The WFTU is extending to you a message of support, solidarity and proletarian internationalism among workers of the world," they said.

The World Federation of Trade Unions was formed in 1945 following the defeat of fascism and building from previous labour internationals and especially the united contribution of working people and labour unions during the Second World War.  Today the WFTU represents 80 million members in 130 countries around the world.