May Day Protests: Making U.S. Presidential Candidates Pay Attention

My parents (35 and 15 years) and I (for four years) worked at Boeing under the IAM, machinists union. Every three years, the union enters into negotiations with the company over such issues at pay, benefits, vacation and sick leave, and retirement. This year, the Puget Sound Boeing contract is up for renegotiation again in October, with bonus pay a big issue and with the usual issues over outsourcing according to the IAM Machinists 751 website. Union issues are sure to add spice to the coming US Presidential election.

When I worked in the factory during the 1980s, the last period of high inflation, we received an adjustment to our wages to compensate for the rising costs of credit and consumer goods. We appear to be nearing such a time again. My economist husband tells me that such a wage adjustment would be very unlikely since it contributes to inflation. Yet, workers that received 3% yearly bonus pay to compensate for the rise of inflation, now look around and want to know, why hasn't their base pay increased to permanently compensate for that rise. And will they also get a bonus to compensate for the coming years inflation? Twenty percent wage increases seem unlikely. Boeing workers are not the only ones concerned about maintaining wages after an era of high corporate profits. Contract negotiations have already begun for some Boeing workers in Kansas.

According to Reuters, on April 27-29, 2008 1,200 workers at the Grangemouth Oil Refinery in Scotland caused BP to shut down the oil fields, exacerbating already high fuel prices. Their issues related to their pension plan.

In the US, Indybay reports ILWU workers called for a shutdown of the west coast ports for the day to protest the war in Iraq. AP reports longshoreman walking picket lines. Is this show of solidarity just about the war?

When I worked at the Port of Seattle, longshoreman negotiated with Port authorities over traffic along their delivery routes. Seattle's Department of Transportation is working on some of the issues. No trucker wants to sit idly in traffic with high fuel costs.

The war, rising fuel prices and the $7.7 Trillion US Deficit budget are all issues for workers that want to have jobs and afford basic food, heat and housing costs.

Other May Day Protests world wide include:

According to Reuters, May Day Protests in central Istanbul, Turkey were held despite the fact that May Day demonstrations have been outlawed. Police had to break the protest up using tear gas and water cannons. The issue for workers is the sharp rise in retirement age.

According to the International Herald Tribune, the anti-immigrant National Democratic Party rallies against capitalism turned violent in many cities in Germany including Hamburg.

According to the World Socialists Website, 800 workers in Liaoyang, the capital of Liaoning province in China defied local authorities to demand the release of four men held in previous marches. Layoffs in this town have led to 25% unemployment.