With news from the USA, Cuba, Greece, Australia, Canada, Croatia and elsewhere. There is also a section with updates from the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China.
Xi Jinping addresses the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China
October 17:
At a time when the imperialist war in Ukraine is dangerously escalating, the European Parliament adopted a resolution (07/10/2022) that literally constitutes a warmongering frenzy. Among other things, it ratifies and endorses the decision of the EU and member states to “increase military aid to Ukraine”, calls for the establishment of “a mechanism for military aid through leasing and lending to Ukraine”, and calls for coordination between governments even in regard to arms deliveries to Ukraine.
All the political groups that voted for it provocatively claim that all this must be expedited “in order to help shorten the war”. They attempt to overlook the obvious, i.e. that this is precisely what is sharpening the military confrontation, considering the disastrous escalation brought about by Russia’s annexation of the Ukrainian territories of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Donetsk.
The resolution, which was also adopted by the ND, SYRIZA, and PASOK MEPs, and the dangers it entails, underscore the responsibility of the ND government for involving the country in the US-NATO plans, sending military equipment to Ukraine, and utilizing US bases.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) congratulates its Free State Provincial Secretary Bheke Stofile, Speaker of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality and President of the South African Local Government Association, on his election as one of the Co-Presidents of the United Cities and Local Governments. Stofile was elected at the World Congress of the United Cities and Local Governments, held in Daejeon, South Korea, from 10 to 14 October 2022.
“My election came when there are many challenges facing local governments across the world. The challenges revolve around co-operative governance and intra-government collaboration to deliver local government services to the people”, said Stofile upon his arrival in South Africa, at the OR Tambo International Airport, on Sunday morning, 16 October 2022.
October 18:
Chris Smalls, president of ALU, said in a statement that the voting process “wasn’t free and fair,” suggesting the union may seek to challenge the election results. Lawyers for the ALU have already filed 27 unfair labor practice charges against the company with the National Labor Relations Board.
“It was a sham election where workers were subjected to intimidation and retaliation on a daily basis and even the workers who volunteered to be election observers were faced with threats of termination,” Smalls said.
Workers at the Apple Store in Charlestown Square, Newcastle, walked out on October 18 as part of a nationwide industrial action by the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU). They are campaigning for job security, living wages, fair leave provisions and workplace safety measures.
These are the first national retail strikes in Australia's history, and set a precedent for further radical action in the retail sector.
Apple workers walked out at 10am and marched through Charlestown Square, where RAFFWU delegates addressed a crowd of unionists and supporters.
October 19:
Highlights:
- Between August 2021 and February 2022, the US blockade caused losses to the Cuban economy in the order of 3.8 billion dollars, a figure 49% higher than that reported in the previous period (January-July 2021)
- It is estimated that Cuban GDP could have grown by 4.5% in these seven months in the absence of the blockade, which projected to a year represents about 8% growth
- Taking into account the damages reported between January-July 2021, in the first 14 months of the Biden administration the damages caused by the blockade reached the figure of 6.364 billion dollars, which represents more than 454 million dollars per month and more than 15 million dollars per day.
- "As a result, the performance of the Cuban economy has experienced extraordinary pressures that manifest themselves in industry, service services, retail, shortages of food and medicine and the deterioration of the level of consumption and general welfare of the population"
Amazon workers in Georgia are the latest to go public with complaints about the retail giant’s labor practices. Workers at an Atlanta warehouse joined with United For Respect, at a press conference near the company’s ATL6 warehouse to detail new unfair labor practices complaints against Amazon.
The workers, who have petitioned Amazon for a wage increase, say the retailer exploits its warehouse staff with unsafe working conditions and low wages. In a statement, United for Respect noted that the demonstration in Atlanta comes just days after Amazon’s Prime Day, when warehouse workers face particularly stressful conditions.
In a genuinely grotesque, cynical and profoundly anti-democratic move, the BC NDP's provincial executive council has disqualified insurgent, anti-establishment candidate Anjali Appadurai from its leadership race. This leaves only party establishment supported candidate David Eby and turns the "contest" into little more than a coronation. Eby will become British Columbia's next premier.
October 20:
The KKE denounces the cowardly attack by fascist groups against the offices of the Central Committee of the New Communist Party of Yugoslavia ( NKPJ) in Belgrade.
The fact that this is the fifth time in the past year that the headquarters of the CC of the NKPJ has been the target of an attack by fascist groups, without any action been taken by the authorities, demonstrates the provocative tolerance or even support that these groups enjoy from the competent security authorities of the country.
It seems that they are bothered by the activity of the NKPJ, which acts in defence of the interests of the working class and the other popular strata of the country, against the imperialist unions of NATO and the EU, and for the promotion of socialism as the only true alternative for the working people.
It’s Day 2 on the picket lines for unionized instructors and teacher assistants at Dalhousie.
The two sides have been working at a deal for the past two years but talks broke off earlier this week over pay.
“A labour dispute is one of the more challenging experiences a university community can go through. It puts strain on nearly every facet of our university — most of all, on our students. In the case of a CUPE strike, it’s important to remember that many of those who are striking are also students themselves,” said Deep Saini, the university’s president and vice-chancellor.
The university is offering pay increases of 17 percent for teacher’s assistants and 30 percent for markers and demonstrators. They revealed the details of their so-called “final offer” on the first day of the strike.
October 21:
A new version of the labor act discussed in the Croatian parliament has led to protests by trade unions, civil society organizations, and left political parties. Protesters gathered in front of the governments’ headquarters on Friday, October 21 under the banner “Za radnički ZOR” – an initiative for a workers’ labor act. The initiative warned against the negative effects of the new law, which would open the doors to more precarious forms of employment, uncontrolled overtime work, and weaken the position of some trade unions.
The government introduced the proposal under the pretext of adapting national legislation to new EU directives, which reflect conditions encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Formally, it is supposed to regulate employers’ responsibilities towards employees working from home, as well as offer basic protection to platform workers. But trade unionists Marina Palčić (Nezavisni sindikat radnika Hrvatske – Independent Trade Union of Workers of Croatia) and Denis Geto (Tehnos) warned that none of these aims would be fulfilled by the proposed act.
Lowe’s, the American big box home improvement chain, is facing an effort to form the company’s first US union in New Orleans, Louisiana, where 172 workers, under the banner of Lowe’s Workers United, recently filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Employees at a second Chipotle location are unionizing, this time in Lawrence, Kansas. The young workers are forming an independent union, and facing harsh—and likely illegal—pushback from management.
A majority of workers’ signatures were collected on a petition to submit to the National Labor Relations Board, only to have that petition thrown away by management. So now they’re filing an unfair labor practice charge as they push to form a union.
October 22:
Some Starbucks workers in St. Louis County are walking the picket line, going on strike to protest the firing of an employee.
Workers picketed the Ladue location Saturday morning in the 1500 block of Lindbergh Boulevard. For the second straight day, many held signs in protest of an employee’s dismissal.
Bradley Rohlf, who served as a shift supervisor at the Ladue store, tells FOX 2 he was fired for wearing a union shirt to work.
CPC 20th Party Congress:
The Communist Party of China (CPC) on Sunday unveiled its new top leadership, which will lead the world's most populous nation on its new journey toward a great modern socialist country in all respects.
Xi Jinping was elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee at the first plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee following the Party's twice-a-decade national congress.
Greeted by rapturous rounds of applause, Xi led Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi onto a red-carpeted stage at the Great Hall of the People.
They are members of the newly-elected Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
According to the Party Constitution, the highest leading bodies of the Party are the National Congress and the Central Committee which it elects. Between plenary sessions of the Central Committee, the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee shall exercise the functions and powers of the Central Committee.
The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) came to a successful conclusion on the morning of October 22 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing after electing a new CPC Central Committee and a new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), and passing the Resolution on the Report of the 19th CPC Central Committee, the Resolution on the Work Report of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Resolution on the Revised Constitution of the Communist Party of China.
The congress calls on the whole Party, the entire military, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to stay closely rallied around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, to keep in mind that empty talk will do nothing for our country and only solid work will make it flourish, to maintain firm confidence, unite as one, forge ahead with resolve, and to strive in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts.
Comrade Xi Jinping presided over the closing session.
Seated at the front row of the rostrum were members of the Standing Committee of the Presidium of the 20th CPC National Congress, including Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Wang Qishan, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Chen, Liu He, Xu Qiliang, Sun Chunlan, Li Xi, Li Qiang, Li Hongzhong, Yang Jiechi, Yang Xiaodu, Zhang Youxia, Chen Xi, Chen Quanguo, Chen Min'er, Hu Chunhua, Guo Shengkun, Huang Kunming, Cai Qi, Hu Jintao, Li Ruihuan, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Song Ping, Li Lanqing, Zeng Qinghong, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun, He Guoqiang, Liu Yunshan, Zhang Gaoli, You Quan and Zhang Qingli.
The week-long 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) successfully concluded on Saturday in Beijing, and it noted that the establishment of Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has set the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on "an irreversible historical course."
The establishment of both Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era represents a major political achievement for the Party in the new era and a decisive factor in the historic successes and changes in the cause of the Party and the country, the Congress noted.
The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) came to a successful conclusion on the morning of October 22 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing after electing a new CPC Central Committee and a new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and passing the Resolution on the Report of the 19th CPC Central Committee, the Resolution on the Work Report of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Resolution on the Revised Constitution of the CPC.
Leaders of foreign countries, diplomats and leaders of foreign political parties sent their congratulatory messages to China on the successful convening of the Congress, which attracted global attention, and for the positive signals carried out during the meeting that indicate China will continue making progress and contributing to global development.
Xi Jinping was elected general secretary of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC at the committee's first plenary session held on Sunday, according to a communiqué, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday.
The session, presided over by Xi, was attended by 203 members of the 20th CPC Central Committee and 168 alternate members.
Here is the official translation of the speech delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on Oct 16:
Comrades,
On behalf of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), I will now deliver a report to the 20th National Congress.
The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is a meeting of great importance. It takes place at a critical time as the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups embark on a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advance toward the Second Centenary Goal.
The theme of this Congress is holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully implementing the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carrying forward the great founding spirit of the Party, staying confident and building strength, upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, forging ahead with enterprise and fortitude, and striving in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.
The following is the full text of a resolution on an amendment to the Constitution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) adopted Saturday at the closing session of the 20th CPC National Congress.
Resolution of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on the Revised Constitution of the Communist Party of China
Adopted on October 22, 2022
Li Keqiang on Monday participated in a group discussion with delegates from northwest China's Gansu Province who are attending the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Li said he gave his unequivocal support to the report delivered by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, on behalf of the 19th CPC Central Committee to the congress.
Li had in-depth exchanges with the delegates. He said impressive advances have been achieved in the cause of the Party and the country over the past decade. These were achieved through the concerted efforts of the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) on Sunday sent a congratulatory message to the communists of China on the occasion of the celebration of the 20th Congress of their organization.
The message highlights the political significance of this event, the PCC website reported, and recognizes the "proven capacity and wisdom of the communist vanguard" of the Asian nation to lead its people in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and unity.
The note also highlights the leadership of the Communist Party of China -PCCh-, in the construction of socialism, in the economic development of the country and in the consolidation of the Asian giant as a factor of stability and balance at world level.
The congratulatory message also refers to the successes achieved by the organization, based on the application of Marxism and the important theoretical and practical contributions to the construction of socialism, which has made possible the fight against corruption and the eradication of extreme poverty, among other achievements.
With a major focus on maintaining public security, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has reported that the country has one of the lowest crime rates, making it one of the safest countries in the world.
Addressing reporters at a press conference during the party’s historic 20th National Congress, Xu Ganlu, Vice Minister and member of the CPC Committee of the Ministry of Public Security revealed that China has the lowest homicide rate, the lowest criminal crime rate and the fewest gun explosion cases, with 0.5 homicides per 100,000 people.