WORLD rench rail, dockers’ strikes directed at right wing policies PARIS — With the Chirac government smarting from its defeat at the hands of France’s university students, railway workers kicked off the New Year with a Militant strike aimed at smashing the anti-worker policies France’s right wing government is trying to impose on the State-run railway system. The action was launched Dec. 18 with Spontaneous strikes by railway workers throughout the country protesting the government’s plan to replace the cur- rent, seniority-based promotion system i the railways, with a system sup- posedly based on merit. Rail traffic ground to a halt as railway workers picketed train depots, occupy- ing Some in the process. There have been clashes with French riot police who were ordered in by the government during the WR ieee oman holiday rush in a bid to break up picket lines. While the SNCF, France’s state-run railway last week tried to claim that rail traffic was returning to about 50 per cent effectiveness, the unions pointed out that the workers at the overwhelming major- ity of the country’s 94 depots have voted to keep the strike going. Also at issue in the dispute is SNCF Management’s wage offer mounting to slightly more than the government’s 3 per cent public sector wage controls. On average, French railway workers make about $1,250 a month (5,800 fr.). The unions say the wage offer the government’s planned 3.08 per cent overall increase in the SNCF’s wage bill would translate into a paltry 1.7 per cent flat increase for the lower paid workers — less than the country’s projected in- flation rate for 1987. Chirac has adamantly refused to move from the government’s wage position, prompting the Communist-led trade union central, the CGT, to call for wide- spread industrial action throughout France. In a recent two-page-article in the Communist Party daily, 1’ Humanite, CGT general secretary, Henri Krasucki, called for ‘‘stoppages and demon- strations in all public sector and na- tionalized bodies throughout the coun- try, and others if they are prepared for it~. : The CGT called for strikes in the elec- tricity and gas industries, the Paris sub- way system, the suburban train network and on the docks. This call for a national campaign sup- porting the railway workers was echoed by the Socialist Party-led CFDT, which in turn called for a 24-hour strike in the subways, Jan. 6. The call was also en- dorsed by an independent transit work- ers union. Dock workers, 98 per cent of whom are affiliated to the CGT, held a 24-hour strike protest, Jan. 6, to protest planned job cuts. CFDT and CGT job actions were also being planned in the country’s state-owned arsenals later in the week. WORKERS’ POWER confronts the Chirac government's right wing agenda on the heels of the epic student victory last month. PHOTO — L'HUMANITE The railway strike is taking a pattern similar to last month’s historic student protests which forced the Chirac government to abandon plans to dis- mantle the relatively democratic univer- sity system and restructure it along Americanized, and elitist lines. It was shortly after the CGT and the trade unions moved to support the stu- dents that the government scrapped its reactionary education bill. Similar to the students’ fight, national strike co-ordinating committees sprang up spontaneously throughout the coun- try. But in this battle, the workers have shown their powerful potential to paralyze the French economy to back their demands. The confrontation between the government and the trade union move- ment is a major test of strength for Chirac’s government and its ability to implement its neo-conservative agenda. ‘ Chirac, who is eyeing the presidency when socialist leader Francois Mitterand ends his seven-year term, has vowed publicly that he will resign as prime min- ister before he will give in to the workers’ demands. This wave of strike action and the stu- dents’ successful revolt against the De- vaquet bill display a powerful groundswell of resistance in France to the neo-conservative agenda being implemented throughout the globe by the likes of Reagan, Thatcher and Mulroney. The unity and determination displayed in these battles demonstrate at once that victories can be won and that extra parliamentary mass action can help shape government policy in the people’s interests. — M.P. INTERNATIONAL FOCUS Tom Morris A little hashish for “freedom” 1987 has hardly begun and the embarassments start. It seems the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in its stalwart fight against illegal drugs, is Tunning into packages of hash- ish stamped with ‘‘Freedom for Afghanistan’ markings. RCMP Chief Superinten- dent Rod Stamler, head of the force’s drug enforcement un- it, when reached by the press, offered this view: ‘‘There are thousands and thousands of Afghan refugees who live in Peshwar. Many move back and forth across’ the (Afghanistan-Pakistan) bor- der.”’ “Many of them may be Classified as so-called re- bel/freedom fighters,’’ Stamler explained. ‘‘They are, of Course, largely responsible for the movement of hashish from Afghanistan into Pakistan and Subsequently into the Western World market . . .”’ And why not? The Nicaraguan contras deal heavily in the U.S. cocaine trade, even ‘investing’ U.S. gOvernment and private aid dollars in the lucrative busi- ness. So why shouldn’t the West’s mujahedeen darlings make a few bucks on the side peddling hash and grass in the ‘‘free world’? All this might be embarrass- ing for contra and mujahedeen supporters, but if they jump into bed with polecats, they’re going to smell a bit. Happy New Year from Reagan And Ronald Reagan began 1987 in typical fashion. First he babbled his usual drivel about ‘‘peace and C Ne imvven Hi! (MINOT A PRESIDENT... BUT | PLAY ONE ON TY... understanding”’ to the Soviet people on Voice of America, throwing in standard cliches about his USA and its marvel- ous social system. Later he unveiled his new budget. It calls for military spending of $1.8-trillion over five years (an increase of $20-billion for each year) ending up with a massive arms bill of $369.9- billion for 1992. These weapons aimed at their cities, if Reagan is to be believed, are designed to bring the Soviet people peace and freedom. Diet News America vedi sie, 1985 Next, to pay for more guns, Reagan’s budget calls for cuts in farm aid (by more than 50 per cent!) and cuts in other so- cial programs such as food aid for the poor, child nutrition and welfare. More money, however, will go to law enforcement (the poor and homeless might get rowdy), tax collection and space programs. One thing can be said about Reagan: he isn’t subtle. The ultimate in old reruns West Germany’s right-wing Chancellor Helmut Kohl watched his troubles begin the very first day of 1987. Poor Kohl had taped his traditional New Year’s mes- Sage with special care this year because his Christian Demo- crats face a general election Jan. 25. To his horror he watched on television as his 1986 message was rerun. A Kohl aide said she “noticed something was wrong when he didn’t have on the same suit as he taped his message in.”’ But opposition officials said the mix-up didn’t matter be- cause ‘“‘Kohl’s speeches tend to sound alike anyway.” PACIFIC TRIBUNE, JANUARY 14, 1987 e 7 Some Papal housecleaning Another not-too-subtle indi- vidual is Chile’s dictator Pino- chet. He announced in his New Year’s speech he will permit most exiled opponents to come home (within 90 days), and lift the state-of-siege imposed last September. In case you’re tempted to cheer, Pinochet’s largesse is geared to the coming Chile visit this April by Pope John Paul reflecting pressure to clean up his act. Prior to papal visits, many countries spruce up the streets and paint dull things in bright colors. Others remove prosti- tutes and beggars for a few days while the Popemobile passes through. Augusto Pinochet’s role is to slightly lift his reign of terror and free the Vatican from ap- pearing either critical of fas- cism or blind to it. With these cosmetic touches done, John Paul can now concentrate on his main task — lecturing Chile’s poor and op- pressed on the dangers of lib- eration theology.