Working people have had enough!

Two years ago, millions of immigrant workers demonstrated on May 1 using the stay-away strike as a key weapon in their battle for the right to full citizenship and the right to work. This year on May 1, the longshore union, ILWU, led protest marches demanding an end to the war in Iraq and the full funding of social services.

We should demand sufficient funding for social services, not just “no cuts.” The program advanced by President Hittelman and the California Tax Reform Association is a good beginning with the exception of the regressive vehicle license fee. Funding must come totally at corporate expense.

Lobbying is not enough. Labor has one tool that can alter the framework of the debate: the political strike. Shutting down all schools, asking students and other unions to join us, and inviting other social service workers to act, will send an unmistakable message statewide that working people have had enough.

Bob Mandel

Oakland AFT, Local 771

Please direct letters to California Teacher, CFT, 1201 Marina Village Pkwy, Suite 115, Alameda, CA 94501. Fax: 510-523-5262. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .