A Thank You from Workers World

The Partisan Defense Committee received the following October 24 letter from Workers World Party (WWP). Despite our political differences with WWP, we called for their defense against a sinister “defamation” lawsuit by Ira Rennert’s union-busting outfit Renco. The lawsuit was in retaliation for a Workers World article describing attacks on pensions by Renco’s subsidiary, WCI Steel (see “Defend Workers World Party Against Robber Baron Lawsuit,” WV No. 873, 7 July).

Our thanks to you and the Partisan Defense Committee for your letter of support in the Renco vs. Workers World lawsuit, and for your generous contribution of $100 to the Pension Defense Project.

My apologies for not having responded earlier. We were doing some renovation of our offices for several months and I unfortunately misplaced some of my papers during that period.

Yes, Ira Rennert is a supreme example of a big capitalist with a right-wing agenda who would love to crush the left with lawsuits. However, we have won a victory in the first round of this struggle. A New York State Supreme Court judge has thrown out Renco’s charges against us. (See www.workers.org/2006/ us/lawsuit-1019/index.html) We hope this legal decision will give encouragement to others who “speak truth to power” and be of benefit to all progressive and working class organizations.

It is very likely that Renco will appeal the judge’s ruling, so we consider the case to be active and are preparing for the next stage of this contest. In the meantime, the fightback to stop the robbing of workers’ pensions and other benefits is as urgent as ever. Being able to call things by their right name is only a first, but important, step in this battle.

Yours in the struggle,
Deirdre Griswold
Editor, Workers World