For a general strike against war!

A level 5 hurricane is ravaging the U.S. economy, in the form of war costs, housing foreclosures, rising unemployment and fuel costs. Many working people have few illusions that politicians will rescue them. After all, Democrats and Republicans are part of the problem — bailing out banks, rubber-stamping war funds, sharpening the axe for budget cuts.
No resistance is coming from top labor leaders either. Something must be done.
So grass-roots unionists are doing it. In July, three Seattle-area locals of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) passed two resolutions. They call on national AFSCME and the U.S. labor federations, the AFL-CIO and Change to Win, to mobilize for a general strike to fund public services by ending the war and taxing corporations or taking over big oil.
The resolutions are being embraced by unionists who realize the urgent need to act — before everyone loses their homes and jobs. They go to August conventions of the Washington State Labor Council and AFSCME. To build steam, unionists across the U.S. need to emulate the leadership these locals are providing, and longshoremen who closed ports on May Day to protest war. Let the call for a general strike go forth. There’s no time to waste! For resolution copies or information, email AFSCME member Steve Hoffman at stevhoff@earthlink.net.