A growing labor dispute could disrupt shipping on the West Coast. On July 21, Bay Area longshore workers with the ILWU walked off the job to honor picket lines at the C&H Sugar refinery in Crockett, California.
The refinery is owned by the Fanjul family, one of the country’s largest sugar producers. The company is fighting a strike by members of ILWU Local 6. It has also brought in replacement workers to unload the sugar ship Tia Herald, which arrived from the Philippines.
Filipino community activists have joined the strike in solidarity. They say workers on the Philippine island of Negros, where much of the sugar is grown, face brutal labor conditions, violence, and the killing of labor organizers. They spoke to Pacifica’s Steve Zeltzer.
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Robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming the workplace. Many workers fear these technologies will eliminate millions of jobs.
Greg Mitre, president of the Southern California ILWU Pensioners, joined the C&H Sugar picket line in Crockett to support the strike. He discussed the impact of automation in both the United States and China. Mitre argues that corporations are using new technology to eliminate jobs and increase profits. He believes the resulting unemployment and inequality could spark a mass rebellion by working people.
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As we go to air, some 60 drivers, operators, and maintenance workers of Amalgamated Transport Union (ATU) Local 1208 in Jackson, Mississippi entered their third week of a strike against Jackson Transit (JTRAN) and its management contractor, MV Transportation, demanding better wages and working conditions. Although some buses driven by scabs continue to run, the Local’s President Charles Tornes, Jr. says spirits remain high among the ranks. He spoke to Pacifica’s Thomas O’Rourke on Day 8 of the strike last Tuesday, July 21st.
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Next, Comrade Cairo of the Spartacist League spoke at a demonstration in defense of Cuba and its Revolution on Friday 17 July in front of the statue of Cuban poet and freedom fighter José Martí in New York’s Central Park South.
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We thank all of Pacifica’s sister stations and affiliates that contribute to the production of this show. Today’s program was produced by the Capitalism, Race & Democracy collective, with contributions from Steve Zeltzer, Polina Vasiliev, and Thomas O’Rourke.
You can find this and all previous episodes at our website “capitalism race and democracy dot ORG”. Make sure you click the subscribe button. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @PacificaCRD.
Thanks for listening.
Music:
Natalie Merchant singing “Which Side Are You On”
Billy Bragg singing “Which Side Are You On”
Dropkick Murphys, “Workers Song”
