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Utility shutoffs and the social rights of the working class: Organizing a fight back
Every year, millions of households in the US have their utilities turned off for non-payment. Shutoffs, which serve the profit interests of the giant utility companies, lead directly to deadly fires, people freezing to death in their homes and other social horrors.
The deregulation and privatization of utility companies throughout the country has led to sharp increases in electricity and heating bills. Worst affected are the poor. On average, an individual on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) now spends about 20 percent of income on utilities. Many workers face unpaid utility bills in the thousands of dollars. Federal and local programs for low-income energy assistance are grossly inadequate and underfunded, and the Obama administration is planning another $1.8 billion cut in assistance this year.
All the basic utilities—including electricity, gas, phone and Internet access—must be made available to everyone as a basic right, not subordinated to the profit needs of the utility companies.
Related Articles:
Demonstration in Detroit demands end to utility shutoffs
Written by Shannon Jones on March 14, 2011
On March 12, the Committee Against Utility Shutoffs (CAUS) held a spirited demonstration down Dexter Avenue in Detroit to demand an end to utility shutoffs.
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TwitterCAUS holds press conference to announce March 12 demonstration
Written by Shannon Jones on March 5, 2011
The Committee Against Utility Shutoffs (CAUS) held a press conference on Friday to announce plans for a March 12 demonstration against utility shutoffs. The event was held at the Dexter-Elmhurst center in Detroit, which is located in the same neighborhood where a house fire killed three people a little over a year ago after their utilities were shut off.
Detroit-area community issues layoff notices to entire fire department
Written by James Brewer on March 4, 2011
The Detroit-area community of Allen Park has issued layoff notices to all 25 of its firefighters due to a budget shortfall of $663,000. At a packed city council meeting on February 22, the motion to send out the pink slips was passed over objections from many angry citizens.
Thousands seek help in Detroit with winter utility payments
Written by Jerry White on December 14, 2010
Several thousand residents who have either lost their utility service or are in danger of doing so attended a “Customer Assistance Day” sponsored by DTE Energy in downtown Detroit on Monday.
End all utility shutoffs! Electricity and gas must be social rights
Written by Committee Against Utility Shutoffs on December 13, 2010The Committee Against Utility Shutoffs (CAUS) demands an end to all utility shutoffs. Those living without gas and electricity must have their services immediately restored.
Today’s “Energy Customer Assistance Day” has nothing to do with guaranteeing the basic right of all residents to gas and electricity. It is a public relations stunt by DTE and the city government.
Two-year-old boy dies in Detroit house fire
Written by Lawrence Porter on December 11, 2010
On Wednesday evening, December 8, during a bitter cold snap, another horrific fire ripped through a home in an impoverished area of Detroit’s east side, killing a two-year-old boy and severely injuring his grandmother and eight-year-old sister.
