Vol. 73/No. 8      March 2, 2009

“Blood money” is bribes aimed at getting workers to shut up and not fight for higher wages, safe working conditions, and for full medical coverage for all workers. Working-class fighters refused to take these bribes and instead turn them against the bosses and their system of exploitation.

Members of the communist movement have a proud tradition of contributing blood money to the Capital Fund. These contributions advance the long-term publishing program to produce the political weapons workers need to fight to take political power out the hands of the billionaire families and begin organizing society to end the wages system.

After waiting a few months and no check arrived, Shangold, an office worker, and Honts, a railroad engineer, decided to inquire about what had happened. “They seemed to be using every technicality to not send the check,” Shangold said. They were told at one point that “it’s in the mail.” Nearly nine months later it finally came.

John Staggs and George Chalmers sent $209 from a Christmas bonus from the bosses at the JBS Packerland slaughterhouse near Philadelphia. “They also gave us a ham, which we donated to the Militant Labor Forum dinner,” they wrote. They were referring to dinner discussions at Militant Labor Forum halls where participants get together for a meal and conversation before the main forum presentation.

Jacquie Henderson, a sewing-machine operator, sent a $25 New Year’s bribe she received from bosses at the plant where she made wedding dresses.

— BY SAM MANUEL