Workers in Russia, Donbass express solidarity with GM strikers

Struggle-La Lucha received this statement from workers’ organizations in Russia and the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.

We declare our solidarity with workers of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union on strike at the General Motors enterprises.

The drastic attacks of capital on the rights of the workers, gained in heavy class battles in the twentieth century, are taking place in all countries and all sectors of the economy. After the downfall of the East European socialist system and the collapse of the USSR, all games of “social partnership” were thrown into the past by the bourgeoisie. Assaults on union rights are carried out systematically. 

Whenever possible, labor contracts are replaced by hired labor, where the worker doesn’t have any social protection. The retirement age is raised and the length of the working day is increased as well. Social benefits, medical insurance and health care are being cut down. The gap between female and male workers’ pay is growing. Migrant workers are exposed to ruthless exploitation. Access to education by the working masses is being decreased.

Working people in industrialized countries are extorted by the threat of production transfer to Third World countries, where wages for equal labor are much lower. The actions of capitalists are consistent, disciplined and carried out by a united front. It is necessary to oppose the full-scale pressure of capital and reaction by our proletarian solidarity. As in the time of the rise of capitalism, working people have nothing to lose but their chains. All we’ve got are our work-weary hands. But without these hands capitalists won’t gain their capital.

Capitalists are lying that they can get by without us, the workers. They can’t! But the workers can do it without the capitalists; seventy years of Soviet power are the proof.

Together — we are the power!

Even one workplace that is able to defeat the greed of the capitalists gives hope for the victory of all working people!

Keep up the fight, comrades!

Warm proletarian greetings from Russia!

Workers University

United Communist Party 

Red Carnation Club

Aurora Women’s Club in Donetsk

Red Television (RTV)