'Strike not over until we say it is over,' vows P-9 Pres. Guyette

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STAND I FIGHT Soclalist Action/Lynn Henderson AUSTIN, Minn.—Local P-9 strikers have refused to call off their nine-monthlong strike here against the Hormel meatpacking corporation-despite a mounting attack by the company, the courts, local banks, the International leadership of the United Food and Com -mercial Workers (UFCW), and the U.S. Postal Service.

On May 8, UFCW International officials declared they were placing Local P-9 in trusteeship and removing its elected leadership. The response of P-9's president, Jim Guyette, was direct and simple, "This strike is not over until the membership says it's over."

If the International's representatives Minnesota Postmaster to forward all P-9 mail to the UFCW.

In the meantime, Hormel is obviously taking advantage of the situation to press ahead with its plans to smash the local, smash the union, and organize a decertification election later in the year.

P-9's response to all of this has been to reaffirm that the local's membership will determine the leadership and the policies of P-9. Plans to step up the nationwide boycott of Hormel products were announced.

now to head off this crisis, warned Shanker. Students must be recruited now for teaching careers.

Shanker projected reforms to include salaries comparable to those of other professions, smaller class sizes, and paid time for teachers to consult with other teachers and upgrade their skills.

The most important issue for K-12 teachers, however, said Shanker, is their ability to exercise their own judgment and self-direction in their work. This is not only necessary for the success of classroom teachers today, but also to improve the public image of teachers and attract the best At the start of fishing season last month, P-9 supporters unfurled banners reading "Boycott Hormel Greed" across highways used by anglers heading toward northern Minnesota waterways. Tens of thousands of working people saw the banners.

P-9 supporters also announced that the boycott had been endorsed by the 6000member Minnesota chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), by Minnesota's Branch 9 of the National Association of Letter Carriers, and by Local 299 of the Graphic Communications International Union.

P-9 has called for a week of peaceful demonstrations and picketing outside the Hormel plant during the week of June 2228. A "Solidarity City," reminiscent of tent cities erected during the civil rights actions of the 1960s will be set up in Austin at that time.

On June 15, a benefit concert for the P-9 strikers will be held in Austin, featuring Arlo Guthrie and David Bromberg. For more information on this month's actions—the concert, the "Solidarity City," and the mass picketing-call (507) 4374110.

To ensure that the P-9 strikers receive all funds donated to them, checks should be made out to The United Support Group and mailed to 316 4th Ave., N.E., Austin, Minn. 55912.

qualified people in sufficient numbers to ensure that the children of the '90s will get a good education.

A resolution on pre-school education was debated. The resolution reaffirmed CFT policy supporting state-provided pre-school education for all children from the age of four whose parents elect to send them.

The CFT represents approximately 25,000 of the close to 600,000 AFT members. The AFT is among the AFL-CIO unions which has continued to grow, especially during the past several years. It represents not only teachers but also healthcare and other public service workers.

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AMBES FAMILIE MACA