(The following articles are from the May 1-15, 2008, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)

People's Voice Editorial, May 1-15, 2008

This year's International Workers' Day sees a continued growing trend of class struggles around the world. In every corner of the planet, working people are confronting the disastrous effects of imperialism and its neoliberal policies, with rising militancy and determination.

     In Latin America, the revolutionary Bolivarian process is gaining, as seen by the Venezuelan government's decision to nationalize a major steel producer at the demand of its workers. The left-wing election victory in Paraguay is the latest sign that workers can defeat even the most entrenched ruling class regimes. And in Cuba, the working class remains staunchly in support of the Revolution, defying North American media predictions following the change in leadership.

     The working class of the former socialist countries of Europe continues to fight heroically against the consolidation of capitalist rule. Using every tactic from hunger strikes to mass protests, workers in these countries are battling privatization, the elimination of social programs, and the frequent refusal of their new bosses to pay wages.

     In the "global south", millions of new workers are moving into the class war. Many of the most militant working class struggles of recent years are taking place in areas such as the Gulf states, the scene of rapidly growing capitalist expansion.

     Here in Canada, the working class refuses to surrender to capitalist pressures. Struggles against "two-tier" wages and attempts by governments and corporations to destroy the social safety net continue, and working people keep searching for ways to build unity against those who seek to divide us. Almost six years after Canadian troops were first sent into Afghanistan, the solid majority of working people still oppose this country's role as spear-carrier for the U.S. Empire.

     These are all welcome signs that May Day is not the relic of a previous century, but a day for all workers and our allies to unite around our dreams and aspirations for a better world. The next stage for debate in this process is the Canadian Labour Congress which opens in Toronto on May 26. We send our best wishes to the CLC delegates as they prepare for this important convention, and we salute all workers in struggle on May Day 2008!