Layoffs, immigration raids deepen crisis in California public education
Layoffs of thousands of California school workers expose bipartisan austerity, union complicity and a growing movement of educators and students.
Kimie Saito, Marc Wells•
Educators Rank-and-File Committee
The Educators Rank-and-File Committee is an international network of educators, students, parents, and workers fighting for workers power in the schools, to stop the capitalist destruction of public education and eliminate COVID-19.
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Labour’s SEND “reform”: an austerity-driven attack on vulnerable children
Many core elements of the reforms have been postponed until the next parliament, as ministers attempt to defuse anger among parent campaigners who recognise the measures as austerity imposed on the most vulnerable.
Tania Kent•
Opposition mounts against San Diego school layoffs
The political establishment insists there is “no money” for bus drivers, aides, counselors and teachers. Yet there is unlimited money to wage illegal war with Iran.
Ivan Cardenas, Kevin Martinez•
“Master Plan” outlines devastation of public education in Philadelphia
The $2.8 billion facilities plan unveiled by administrators on February 26 would shutter 18 schools across the Philadelphia School District.
Matt Allen•
Sue Phillips•
Our reporters•
Nancy Hanover•
Carolyn Kennett•
Stephen St. Clair•
Reject the BP Whiting contract! Organize rank-and-file committees to prepare a national struggle!
Every refinery worker has a direct stake in defeating BP’s demands, which would pave the way for oil companies to dismantle national bargaining altogether.
International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees•
Reject CWU/Labour government whitewash of Royal Mail crisis: for rank-and-file opposition to corporate collusion
Public anger must not be diverted, nor our independent organisation blocked against renewed attacks on jobs, terms and conditions and the crippling workloads imposed by those responsible for a wrecking operation.
Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee•
Australia: Health Workers Rank-and-File Committee supports striking US nurses and healthcare workers
Australian doctors, nurses, pathology and disability support workers, as well as other hospital services employees, passed a powerful resolution backing the determined strike action by health workers in New York, California and Hawaii.
Our correspondent•
Thomas “TJ” Sabula is back at work—but the lessons must be learned
Ford worker Thomas “TJ” Sabula has reportedly returned to work after being suspended without pay for calling Donald Trump a “pedophile protector” during the president's January 13 tour of the plant.
Ford Rouge Workers Rank-and-File Committee•
New York Healthcare Workers Rank-and-File Committee•
International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees•
New York Healthcare Workers Rank-and-File Committee•
Carl Bronski•
Transport Workers Action Committee•
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the term “rank-and-file” mean and where does it come from?
“Rank-and-file” is originally a military term. It refers to the lower “ranks” of soldiers, who literally stand in lines or “files”. These soldiers have a different set of interests in preserving their lives than the officers or “brass” who prosecute the wars on behalf of the ruling elite.
Rank-and-file committees are of, by and for the rank-and-file workers, who have a different set of interests in preserving their lives than management, the bosses, the politicians, and the trade union apparatus, who send workers to die while defending the profits of the ruling elite.
Is it legal to build rank-and-file committees of educators and other workers to stop the spread of COVID-19?
Yes. The formation of rank-and-file committees is 100% completely legal under the First Amendment to the US Constitution.
The right to freedom of speech means you can say whatever you like about what you agree or disagree with. Freedom of association, also covered under the first amendment, means you have the right to associate with others who share your views, for political ends. You also have the right to petition the government for redress, to make demands on the government and tell them what you want them to do.
Does HIPAA law prevent schools or workplaces from disclosing information about the spread of COVID-19?
No. HIPAA has an exception for disclosures to prevent and control the spread of disease, but the state is deliberately not invoking this exception in order to conceal information from workers, so that they can pretend that what they are doing is safe when it’s not.
Rank-and-file educators have the right to know who’s gotten sick, where, when, and what happened. Rank-and-file committees have to demand this information, and have to share it with other workers as a matter of collective self defense.