Northwoods Socialist Collective

The first couple of weeks of Trump's second administration has seen a wave of attacks on immigrants and trans people.  ICE is sweeping the country, raiding workplaces and communities with the aim of deporting undocumented workers.  And so far at least six executive orders have been issued attacking trans people - from barring government agencies from recognizing more than one gender to mandating that trans women be transferred to men's prisons. This deluge of reactionary and bigotry fueled attacks can be overwhelming.  But for those of us who can, it is crucial that we stand up and fight back!  The Northwoods Socialist Collective is holding a series of events in solidarity with immigrants and trans people.  We have three events planned for the coming weeks, with more that we'll be announcing soon.  Please help us spread the word, and if you can, plug in to them.

Donald J. Trump’s first round in office was an unmitigated disaster. This term threatens a perfect storm, unfolding against a backdrop of economic pain, unending war, and climate catastrophe. Who better to lead capitalism’s reactionary journey than a 34-count convicted felon, who has Supreme Court approval to do whatever he wants? Last time, strong man Trump was challenged by the Black Lives Matter upsurge. Since then, the pro-Palestine movement has emerged. And restive workers, from baristas to delivery drivers, are showing resistance is alive. To quash these opponents of profits and privilege, ruling elites are dumping U.S. capitalism’s veneer of democracy for more fascistic methods, such as mass deportations of people of color and political witch-hunts of radicals.

At a two-hour community discussion on racism at Rock Ridge Public Schools, local organizers and concerned parents and citizens vented frustrations about years of systemic failures to protect students of color. Cultures, Humanities, and Arts on the Iron Range in Virginia hosted the meeting Thursday, Jan. 23. Rock Ridge Superintendent Noel Schmidt was the only school official present. Representatives from Voices for Ethnic and Multicultural Awareness engaged in most of the discussion, with about 20 people attending. Parents and community members periodically questioned Schmidt and shared their experiences with racism in the school and community.

SEIU Healthcare MN & IA members are celebrating their contract agreement with Essentia Deer River. The new contract significantly improved on the offer proposed by management before the strike. The new contract was tentatively agreed upon early this weekend, after two days of bargaining, and approved by the full membership Sunday afternoon with 92% support. Today’s vote to approve the contract will end the ULP strike that lasted 49 days. This was the longest strike by SEIU Healthcare MN & IA members in more than 40 years.

After months of bargaining, approximately 260 USW health care workers at UP Health System– Marquette in Marquette, Mich., ratified their first contract in early January, winning historic wage increases, boosting on-call pay, securing much-needed safety protections, and more.

On January 13 a coalition of water protectors and Indigenous leaders rallied at the Wisconsin DNR’s headquarters to protest its recent approval of Enbridge’s plan to construct a 41-mile reroute of the Line 5 oil pipeline in northern Wisconsin. The DNR granted the permits just days after it was notified of an oil spill from Enbridge’s Line 6 pipeline in Jefferson County. Moreover, Enbridge has been trespassing on the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s lands for over a decade, and the reroute threatens irreversible damage to the Band’s homelands and Lake Superior.