Over 100 trade unionists from 60 union and Central Labor Councils met in
Chicago Sat., Jan. 11 at Teamster L. 705. They heard reports summarizing the
growing union antiwar activity around the country. They also heard reports
about what is really going on at the UN and around the world, and about the
other antiwar coalitions. They unanimously passed a resolution saying Bush
has simply "not make the case" that Hussein poses a threat to America and
that this war must be stopped. The resolution encouraged unions to get
involved in this debate because "union members and leaders have the
responsibility to inform the members about issues that affect the lives and
jobs of members, their families, and all other working people." They created
an organization, US Labor Against the War (USLAW) to carry on and build the
union antiwar movement, and they rose over $30,000 in the room to support it;
every local in the room agreed to go back to their local to try to raise more
money. They decided to ask all unions and members coming to demonstrations in
DC and SF on Jan 18 to march together under the "Labor Against War" banner.
And they decided to try to get at least 200 unions to sign onto the
resolution before Jan 28, and to carry on the union antiwar activity no
matter what the Bush administration does on Jan 28 and beyond."
"We here in this room have an historic opportunity to stop this war from
happening." With these words Bob Muehlenkamp, one of ten conveners, opened
the "National Meeting of Labor Organizations and Officials Opposed to US War
in Iraq," January 11 in Chicago. Over 100 representatives of central labor
councils, ad-hoc labor committees against the war, and local unions from
across the country met to discuss a unified labor strategy against the Bush
administration's move towards a preemptive war. In attendance were
representatives from such local unions as AFSCME, AFT, ILWU, SEIU, Teamsters,
HERE, and the UAW. During the course of the day-long meeting, held in the
historic Teamsters Local 705 hall, delegates exchanged resolutions against
the war passed by various labor bodies and reported on union activities and
strategies used to pass these resolutions. A pre-meeting tabulation counted
42 local unions, 13 district or regional bodies, 5 national unions, 12
central labor councils, and 5 state federations who had passed anti-war
resolutions, but discussion at the meeting revealed that actual numbers were
far higher. ...
We Establish US Labor Against the War
Whereas over 100 trade unionists from 76 local, regional and national unions,
central labor councils and other labor organizations representing over 2
million members gathered in Chicago for an unprecedented meeting to discuss
our concerns about the Bush administration's threat of war; and Whereas union
members and leaders have the responsibility to inform all working people
about issues that affect their lives, jobs and families, and to be heard in
the national debate on these issues; and Whereas the principal victims of any
military action in Iraq will be the sons and daughters of working class
families serving in the military who will be put in harm's way, and innocent
Iraqi civilians who have already suffered so much; and Whereas we have no
quarrel with the ordinary working class men, women and children of Iraq, or
any other country; and Whereas the billions of dollars spent to stage and
execute this war are being taken away from our schools, hospitals, housing
and Social Security; and Whereas the war is a pretext for attacks on labor,
civil, immigrant and human rights at home; and Whereas Bush's drive for war
serves as a cover and distraction for the sinking economy, corporate
corruption and layoffs; and Whereas such military action is predicted
actually to increase the likelihood of retaliatory terrorist acts; and
Whereas there is no convincing link between Iraq and Al Qaeda or the attacks
on Sept. 11, and neither the Bush administration nor the UN inspections have
demonstrated that Iraq poses a real threat to Americans; and Whereas US
military action against Iraq threatens the peaceful resolution of disputes
among states, jeopardizing the safety and security of the entire world,
including Americans; and Whereas labor has had an historic role in fighting
for justice; therefore We hereby establish the "US Labor Against the War'
(USLAW)"; and Resolve that US Labor Against the War stands firmly against
Bush's war drive; and Further resolve that US Labor Against the War will
publicize this statement, and promote union, labor and community antiwar
activity.
National Writers Union Embraces USLAW Resolution
YES - 55 votes, NO - 16 votes, ABSTAIN - 4 votes
Letter Carriers Union #214 Endorse "US Labor Against the War" Statement
Whereas, over 100 trade unionists from unions, Central Labor Councils and
other labor organizations representing over 2 million members gathered in
Chicago for an unprecedented meeting to discuss our concerns about the Bush
threat of war; established US Labor Against the War; and issued this
statement ... Resolved, that Golden Gate Branch #214 of the National
Association of Letter Carriers hereby supports "US Labor Against the War"
(USLAW); and be it further Resolved that the NALC Branch #214 stands firmly
against Bush's war drive; and be it finally Resolved, that NALC Branch #214
will publicize this statement, and promote union, labor and community
anti-war activity. (Adopted at the regular membership meeting, February 3,
2003, San Francisco CA)
NOTE: This statement by US Labor Against the War was also adopted by the ILWU
Local #10 Executive Board (Jan. 14, 2003) and by the SF Labor Council (Jan.
13, 2003).
"I am very pleased to report that, less than two hours ago, the New York
Metro Area Postal Union (APWU Local 10) voted without a single nay or
abstention to adopt the US Labor Against the War statement. Following my
Legislative Director's report, which included a report on my participation in
the Chicago meeting, Brother Bill Bachmann, a rank and file member who had
downloaded the statement off the Internet, moved the resolution and read it
to the meeting. It passed without discussion. Please add NY Metro to the list
of endorsing unions. ... " In Solidarity, Dennis O'Neil, Legislative
Director, NY Metro Area Postal Union
The APWU National Executive Board opposes the pending war with Iraq. This
declaration is based on the information made available to the American public
at this time. We abhor terrorism, and we endorse all action - diplomatic and
military - to appropriately respond to acts of aggression. However,
preemptive attacks against sovereign states are not consistent with the
principles of freedom and respect for all people.
Whereas, International and Local unions, state bodies, and Central Labor
Councils across the country have made statements opposing war in Iraq and
Whereas, union members and leaders have the responsibility to inform all
working people about issues that affect their lives, jobs and families, and
to be heard in the national debate on these issues ... therefore Resolve that
the SE Massachusetts Central Labor Council stands firmly against Bush's war
drive and We urge our member Local unions and the state federation to join us
in speaking out against this possible war.
Whereas the "Bush" Doctrine of preemptive war is a violation of international
law, and of generations of US foreign policy; Whereas this policy would open
the world to international anarchy with no restraint on other nations
declaring "preemptive war" on one another; Whereas sending women and men in
the armed forces to kill and be killed in war should always be the last
resort of government; and it will largely be the daughters and sons of
working people who are called upon to make the sacrifice; Whereas preemptive
war is a danger to world peace, increases the threat of terrorism, and offers
nothing but unending military conflict ... Therefore Be It Resolved that we
call upon the Bush Administration to halt its plans for war against Iraq and
to instead seek peaceful resolution of differences within the framework of
the United Nations ...
"Our member are split 50/50 on Bush. Fifty don't believe a word he says.
Fifty think he's a liar." ... I was in Chicago for a meeting on January 11 of
about 100 union antiwar advocates or activists from across the country,
gathered there to initiate a national labor organization against a war that,
in its hottest phase, has yet to begin. The term "historic", used throughout
the day, was not misplaced. Among the group were Staughton Lynd from
Youngstown, who'd chaired the first demonstration on Washington against the
Vietnam War in April of 1965; Frank Emspak from Wisconsin, who'd chaired the
National Coordinating Committee to End the War in Vietnam when it called the
first mass days of protest in October 1965; and Jerry Tucker from St. Louis,
who was present when unions formed a peace faction outside the ultra-hawkish
AFL-CIO in 1971, by which time, as he notes, the Vietnamese had won the war.
Something profoundly different is happening now, and while it's unclear how
broad labor opposition will become, its very existence, now given national
expression, represents the deepest crack in the supposed consensus for war.
...
Statement of Jonathan Kissam at January 18th Antiwar Rally, Montpelier,
Vermont
I bring greetings on behalf of the national executive board of the United
Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE). UE was the first
national union to denounce this war, back in September, but we have been
joined by many others in the trade union movement, including the 1.3-million
member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and
dozens if not hundreds of local and regional labor organizations. Just last
Saturday, over 100 trade unionists representing more than 2 million workers
gathered in Chicago to found US Labor Against the War. And just this morning,
the Vermont Workers Center, a labor-community coalition including many
Vermont unions such as the Vermont State Employees Association, the United
Nurses and Allied Professionals at Copley Hospital, the Alliance@IBM and the
Washington-Orange County Central Labor Council, passed a resolution against
the war. The mission of the labor movement is to fight for justice for
working people. This war is a threat to the lives, the economic well-being,
and the civil liberties of workers, both here and in Iraq, so we in the labor
movement must speak out against it. ...
The September 11 attacks by al Qaeda brought together citizens in the United
States and throughout the world. The horror and heartlessness of those events
dispelled differences and united us in a demand for justice and in a promise
to ourselves and to next generations: we would support all efforts to track
down those guilty of killing thousands of innocents on that infamous day; we
would support efforts to forge a new multilateral commitment to oppose
terrorism worldwide; and we would, through these efforts, restore the sense
of peace and security to our land and to the world that was lost during the
attacks. ... There is no credible evidence linking Saddam Hussein to al
Qaeda, nor with any imminent attack on the United States. ...
Editorial Comment: In tones reminiscent of George Meany and Al Shanker, the
Executive Council of the American Federation of Teachers stands virtually
alone in the ranks of US labor organizations which have taken a position on
the impending aggression against Iraq by lending support to that war drive by
Bush and Company. Many AFT locals, however, dissent from this position. One
of the largest labor contingents in the historic peace rally in New York City
on February 15th was made up of the professional staff of the City University
of New York.
The attacks of September 11, 2001, awakened this nation to the vulnerability
of its citizens indeed, the citizens of all nations - to terrorist attacks by
individuals, groups and states motivated by anti-democratic ideas. This
threat is magnified by the proliferation of chemical, biological and nuclear
weapons in the hands of people who, in the service of tyranny, have inflicted
savagery on innocents. We are harshly reminded that democracy, with its
hard-won rights and freedoms, exists here at home and is growing throughout
much of the world today only because the world's democracies have fought to
defend it. ...
Whereas, the hotel and restaurant workers of Chicago depend on a vibrant
tourist economy for their livelihood, and the destabilizing effects of a
preemptive war on Iraq would mean the loss of thousands of hospitality jobs;
and Whereas, spending billions of dollars to execute an invasion of Iraq
means billions of dollars will be taken away from our schools, hospitals,
social security and other programs that benefit working families; and
Whereas, the sons and daughters of working families will make up a
disproportionate share of the casualties that would result from such a war;
and Whereas, we support and uphold the American values of opportunity,
freedom and civil liberties; and Whereas, American was built on the labor of
immigrants; and Whereas, we support collective bargaining rights for all
workers; Therefore Be it Resolved, that Local 1 of the Hotel Employees and
Restaurant Employees Union: Opposes the unjustified, unilateral and
preemptive attack against Iraq; Opposes the arrest, firing, internment, man
datory registration of, and harassment of immigrants; and Opposes new laws
that further infringe upon the rights of workers and upon our civil liberties.
... While our union cannot deal with every issue facing our nation and our
communities, some issues rise to such importance and have generated enough
activity by members and local unions to require our attention as the largest
union in North America. The board decided that the pending US invasion of
Iraq is one of those issues. The board agreed that it is important to allow
for a discussion within the union on this issue so members can participate in
a national decision that could seriously affect all of us. ...
Motion Against the War in Iraq
United Teachers of Los Angeles, January 29, 2003
Moved, that UTLA join the County Federation of Labor and many other unions
across the country in strenuously opposing the Bush administration's march
toward war with Iraq, Further moved, that UTLA urge its members and
affiliates, through motions, its website and publications, to become involved
with organizations working toward stopping the Bush administration's march
toward war with Iraq. Further moved, that UTLA endorse the International Week
of Anti-war Resistance from February 13-21, 2003, and encourage its
membership to participate at whatever level they feel comfortable. Finally
moved, that UTLA encourage the Board of Education to support a day of
education about the war at schools throughout the district. ...
Motion to Support Muslim, Arab, and South Asian Immigrants
Passed by the UTLA House of Representatives, January 29, 2003
Moved, that UTLA express its opposition to the registering and detaining of
Muslim, Arab, and South Asian immigrants by federal authorities, and further
moved that UTLA join with other labor organizations and non-governmental
organizations in the call for a National Day of Solidarity with Muslim, Arab
and South Asian Immigrants on February 20, 2003. On December 18, 2001, in the
face of forced registrations and detention of up to 1000 immigrants, a
demonstration of 3000 in Los Angeles carried signs that said, "What's Next?
Concentration Camps?" Most of those demonstrating were immigrants themselves,
a courageous act considering they could be the next targets. Can we do less?
Federal authorities detained over 1200 in the immediate wake of 9/11, with
little to substantiate any charges against them. If war is declared on Iraq,
we can expect mass roundups of immigrants and a possible repeat of the
Japanese Internment of WWII. ...
California Nurses Association Statement on the Iraq War
Adopted by the CNA Board of Directors, February 2, 2003
The California Nurses Association joins with scores of other health care
advocacy groups, nurses, and labor organizations and local governments to
oppose a unilateral war by the Bush Administration against Iraq. CNA condemns
all acts of terrorism. CNA supports peaceful efforts to promote disarmament
and the elimination of all nuclear, chemical, biological, and other weapons
that inflict large scale destruction. CNA believes that international
disputes are best resolved through the role of broad based international
organizations, particularly the United Nations, to promote a peaceful end to
conflict and social and economic justice, not through unilateral
intervention. Whereas the Code of Ethics for Nurses underscores, "the nurses'
primary commitment is to the patient whether as individual, family, group or
community," and that the "profession of nursing is responsible for
articulating nursing values and shaping social policy," CNA has particular
concerns about the health and social impacts of a war with Iraq. The first
Persian Gulf War produced up to 3,000 casualties among Iraqi civilians,
according to Human Rights Watch, and devastating long term health
consequences for untold numbers of Iraqis and Americans. Some 160,000 US Gulf
War veterans have endured chronic disorders, at 12 times the rate of non-Gulf
War veterans, with cancer, birth defects, memory loss and other elements of
Gulf War syndrome. A new war with Iraq would likely cause even more immense
casualties and human suffering. Presently, 13 million Iraqi children
according to the Independent Study Team, "are at a grave risk of starvation,
disease, death and psychological trauma." A United Nations contingency
planning report estimates up to 500,000 Iraqis would require medical
treatment, and another three million would face dire malnutrition and require
therapeutic feeding. The outbreak of cholera, dysentery, and other epidemics
would be likely. The report also projects up to 900,000 refugees would need
food and shelter, and endure continuing casualties from land mines. US
personnel participating also face unknown direct casualties and likely long
term health effects, such occurred to the 130,000 Gulf War troops, according
to the US Department of Defense, who were exposed to chemical weapons as a
result of the US bombing of one Iraqi arms depot. At home, the pending war
would also have serious consequences for public health and the social safety
net. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the war would cost between $9
billion and $13 billion each month, prompting draconian reductions in public
spending on health care and other social needs. The increase in defense
spending in advance of the war coincides with a growing health care crisis in
our nation and cutbacks in vital funding for public hospitals, community
clinics, disease prevention programs, and our emergency response network.
Unilateral US military action against Iraq is likely to increase retaliatory
attacks against US civilians, placing a further strain on our overburdened
health care system. Plans by the Bush Administration for smallpox
vaccinations for up to 10 million RNs and other health care workers and
emergency personnel demonstrate our concern. Local health departments across
the US are reporting that many health care programs, including cancer and
tuberculosis screenings, immunization clinics for children, and children's
dental programs are being curtailed as funds are diverted for the smallpox
program. The smallpox program is also risky. The Institute of Medicine says
the program lacks adequate safeguards. The CNA Board of Directors will
communicate our position to our elected representatives and to CNA members,
and conduct an educational campaign for CNA members on the consequences of
the war.
February 03, 2003 - Emilie: The South Florida AFL-CIO (our CLC) also passed a
USLAW-type resolution unanimously. - Dale
Last night the Philadelphia Chapter of CLUW (Coalition of Labor Union Women)
voted to adopt the USLAW statement and join your coalition. If you need
anything else from me, please let me know. Likewise, if there is any news or
activity at your end, please advise us. Thanks, Kathy Black, President,
Philadelphia CLUW
Compiled by Kenneth Morgan, member, Local 6, International Longshore and
Warehourse Union, and an anti-war Vietnam War Veteran.
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME); American
Postal Workers Union; California Nurses Association; Canadian Auto Workers;
Coalition of Labor Union Women; Communication Workers of America; National
Writers Union/UAW Local 1981; Pride at Work; Service Employees International
Union; United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers (UE); United Farmworkers of
America; Hawaii State Federation; Washington State Labor Council; Albany, New
York, Central Labor Council; Cleveland Federation of Labor; Duluth Central
Labor Body; Hartford Labor Council; King County Labor Council; Los Angeles
County Federation of Labor; Monterey Bay CLC; Philadelphia Central Labor
Council; Rochester CLC; Sacramento Labor Council; San Francisco Labor
Council; San Mateo County Central Labor Council; Saratoga Labor Council;
South Bay Labor Council; Troy CLC; Vancouver District Labor Council;
Washington, DC CLC; 1199/Service Employees International Union (SEIU); AFSCME
District 1707 Council; AFSCME District 37 Council; Association of Flight
Attendants - Alaska Airlines; Association of Flight Attendants - United
Airlines; CA Pipe Trades Council; California Federation of Teachers;
California Faculty Association/SEIU Local 1983; International Association of
Machinists (IAM) District Lodge 77 Retirees; New York State Nurses
Association; SEIU 1199FL; SEIU 1199 NE; SEIU 1199 PA; SEIU 1199 NJ; SEIU
1199 Upstate NY; SEIU 1199 WI; SEIU Wisconsin District; Wisconsin Federation
of Teachers; Working Families Party of NY; AFSCME Local 215; AFSCME Local
304; AFSCME Local 371, DC 37; AFSCME Local 444; AFSCME Local 1549; AFSCME
Local 1930, DC 37; AFSCME Local 3800; American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Local 1, Chicago Teachers Union; AFT Local 6, Washington Teachers Union; AFT
Local 1078, Berkeley Federation of Teachers; AFT Local 1474, UC-Berkeley; AFT
Local 1493; AFT Local 1521; AFT Local 2026; AFT Local 2190/UUP, SUNY; AFT
Local 2334, Professional Staff Congress, CUNY; AFT Local 4345, Mendocino Co.
Fed. of School Employees; AFT/West Haven Federation of Teachers; American
Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 10; CWA Local 1180; CWA Local 9423; CWA
Local 9415; Hotel and Restaurant Employees (HERE) Local 2; HERE Local 5; HERE
Local 483; HERE Local 2850; IAM Local Lodge 459; International Longshore and
Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 10; ILWU Local 5; ILWU Local 6; Millwrights
Local 2158; National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 214;
Newspaper Guild Local 32035; NWU Local3/UAW Local 1981; Oakland Education
Association; Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU)
Local 2; Painters and Tapers Local 913; Plumbers & Fitters Local 393; SEIU
Local 73; SEIU Local 250; SEIU Local 254; SEIU Local 535; SEIU Local 660;
SEIU Local 715; SEIU Local 790; SEIU Local 1000/CSEA; Teamsters Local 705;
United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2865/AGSE, Univ. of CA; UAW Local 600; UFCW
1776; United Healthcare Workers of Greater St. Louis; United Union
Representatives of Los Angeles; United Teachers of Los Angeles; UPAT
(Painters) Local 510 Sign & Display; 1199ers for Peace & Justice; Albany
Labor for Peace; Boston Labor for Justice with Peace; Chicago Jobs with
Justice Cmte. for New Priorities; Chicago Coalition on Contingent Academic
Labor; DC37 Labor Against the War, NYC Muni; Detroit Labor Committee for
Peace & Justice; Filipino Workers Association; Ground Zero for Peace; Jobs
With Justice/Vermont Workers Center; Jobs With Justice, Atlanta, GA; Jobs
With Justice, Washington State; Labor Committee for Peace & Justice, Bay
Area; New York City Teachers Against War; NY City Labor Against War (NYCLAW);
Ohio Fair Trade Campaign; Organized Labor Against the War; Portland Labor for
Peace & Justice; Sacramento Labor for Peace & Justice; Santa Cruz Labor
Committee for Peace & Justice; South Bay Labor for Peace & Justice; Toronto
Committee Against Sanctions and War; Trade Unionists Against the War;
Washington DC Labor for Peace & Justice; Workers for Peace.
Resolution to Affiliate to US Labor Against War Coalition
and Endorse the February 15, 2003 Anti-War Rally
Federation of Union Representatives, February 8, 2003
Be it resolved that the Federation of Union Representatives (FOUR) Executive
Board:
1. Endorse the February 15, 2003 March against potential war on Iraq; and
2. Affiliate with the New York City Labor Against War coalition; and
3. Affiliate with the national US Labor Against War coalition.
94010.xml>
Jesse Tinsley, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 9, 2003
The once-scattered voices of Northeast Ohioans opposed to a war with Iraq
have merged into a chorus that is growing louder and stronger. Dozens of
anti-war groups - as varied as religious groups, labor unions and individuals
offering their bodies as human shields - have united in recent months as the
Northeast Ohio Anti-War Coalition. ... "These are not wild-eyed liberals who
are waving daisies," said John Ryan, executive director of the Cleveland
AFL-CIO, which opposes the war. ... The Cleveland AFL-CIO voted to oppose the
Vietnam War five years after it started and after many deaths. This time, the
labor group acted quickly, "before a single shot was fired," Ryan said. The
union, he added, is working with religious and black community groups
rallying against the war. ...
Editorial Comment: As the tide of labor opposition to the Bush
administration's plans of aggression rises, rabidly anti-worker politicians
seek to transform this development into an opportunity to mount an attack on
organized labor. IAM's president offered this response:
The following statement was issued today by R. Thomas Buffenbarger, President
of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM),
in response to a fundraising letter signed by House Majority Leader Tom
DeLay. "Have you no shame, Congressman DeLay? Your fundraising letter for the
National Right To Work Committee tarred thousands of patriotic Americans with
the implicit charge of treason. Your libel cannot be allowed to stand. ... "
Resolution on the Bush Administration's Drive for War
Alameda County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, February 10, 2003
" ... A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military
defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." -
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Whereas, union members and leaders have the responsibility to inform all
working people about issues that affect their lives, jobs, and families, and
to be heard in the national debate on these issues; and Whereas, the Bush
Administration's determination to launch a unilateral and preemptive war on
Iraq does not have the support of the United Nations or the international
community, and undermines our nation's credibility with our allies in the war
on terrorism; and Whereas, the Bush Administration should continue to work
with the United Nations and international community to assemble a broad
coalition for an effective policy for disarmament in Iraq and could promote
these aims through legislation such as Representative Barbara Lee's House
Concurrent Resolution 473 calling for work to prevent Iraq from developing
weapons of mass destruction through the United Nations ... Therefore Be It
Resolved, that the Central Labor Council of Alameda County, AFL-CIO, stands
firmly against the Bush Administration's drive to war and calls for a
reordering of our national priorities which must include creating jobs,
strengthening education, providing health care, building a clean environment,
and furthering economic and social justice for all Americans ...
Our union, UNITE, represents working men and women across this continent. But
we are also soldiers, reservists and veterans. We have served honorably in
each of our nation's wars in the past Century, and we understand the need for
sacrifice and security. The United States has been attacked and remains
vulnerable to international terrorism, and we stand ready to protect our
country and our loved ones. But we, the elected leadership of UNITE, strongly
oppose any preemptive unilateral attack against the state of Iraq. ... We
know first-hand that if there is a war with Iraq, we will do the fighting and
we will suffer the consequences. Our families will be changed forever. And
for what? This war is not about security for Americans. It is about George
Bush's reelection campaign. It is about oil.
San Francisco - As the Middle East troop buildup grows larger, so does the
sentiment here at home against the possibility of war. Sunday's massive
anti-war demonstration, similar to the one held last month in San Francisco,
is just days away, but peace activists are already making their plea. Walter
Johnson of the SF Labor Council says, "Our voices are going to be loud.
Please, President Bush, listen to the voices of the real people of America
and forget about war in Iraq." About a dozen labor union representatives held
a press conference Thursday morning. They promise they'll be marching along
with the other tens of thousands of protesters expected to attend Sunday's
event. Union representative Eddie Rosario says, "Our union is participating
in this historic mobilization. If we don't, the labor movement will be
annihilated." ...
As Bush continues upon his march to war with Iraq, the anti-war movement has
continued its efforts to reach out and build as broad of a movement as
possible to oppose this war. Hundreds of thousands of students, activists,
leftists, religious folks and others have come together to organize some of
the largest anti-war rallies and teach-ins this country has seen. But perhaps
the most dramatic of these efforts to build a mass anti-war movement that
involves broad sections of everyday people has been made in regards to the
labor movement. The labor movement has a long and militant history, but in
recent decades has tended to either stay clear of taking a stand on foreign
policy issues, or supporting Washington's military adventures abroad.
Fortunately though with this war, that is beginning to change. To date dozens
of local unions, central labor bodies, and even international unions have
joined the Duluth Central Labor Body in coming out against Bush's threatened
war with Iraq, or have at least urged the administration to use war only as a
last resort. ...
As rank-and-file Teamsters, we are outraged to learn that our president,
James Hoffa, has joined with war hawks like Newt Gingrich and Richard Perle
to form the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq. We urge him to resign from
this committee immediately for the following reasons. The committee is a
phony attempt by a handful of right-wingers to create the appearance that a
broad section of Americans support war with Iraq. In fact, support for the
war is dropping. Dozens of union bodies, including Local 705, the
second-largest Teamster local, have passed resolutions against war. The
committee includes figures from the American Enterprise Institute, a
right-wing think tank with an anti-union agenda. They would love to see a war
divert working people's attention from the faltering economy, corporate
scandals and massive tax cuts for the rich. They also know that war will
provide an opportunity to attack basic labor rights, as has already happened
with the West Coast dockworkers and federal employees in the new Department
of Homeland Security. The histories of the members of this committee show
they care little about liberation or democracy - in Iraq or anywhere else.
George Schultz, for example, was secretary of state in the 1980s when the US
government was arming Saddam Hussein and other dictators. ...
The estimated 500,000+ people who participated in yesterday's New York City
protest included the largest labor antiwar presence to date. At 11 AM, 1,000
or more trade unionists held a brief rally at 59 St. and Fifth Ave. Then,
along with thousands of other protesters, they defied the city's refusal to
grant a permit by marching in the streets to the main rally on First Ave.
Meanwhile, a large 1199SEIU contingent gathered on First Ave., while many
other union members arrived at the rally site in smaller groups. Labor
speakers at the main rally were Dennis Rivera, President of 1199SEIU; Larry
Cohen, Executive Vice-President of CWA; and Brenda Stokely, NYCLAW.
Co-Convener and President of AFSCME DC 1707. Below are media reports of
antiwar labor's participation in the massive protest:
"Union members are coming out by the thousands today because they are opposed
to this war, as most Americans appear to be," said Michael Letwin of the
organization New York City Labor Against War. "Workers, I think, in
particular know that it's working people and poor people at home who are
going to pay for the war. They'll pay for it with their children in uniform,
being the ones that die on the front lines. They'll pay for it in terms of
cuts in our social services and all the government spending that could go to
union services at home but are going to war instead."
Yesterday's NYC rally was attended by members of labor bodies from Upstate
NY, DC, MA, NJ and elsewhere
<http://www.nbc10.com/news/1980121/detail.html>
NBC-10 TV News, February 15, 2003
Peace activists boarded trains throughout the state to be part of the New
York rally, which organizers hoped would draw 100,000 people. "We want the
world to know that Americans - the people of America - don't want war," said
Carol Gay, who helped organize the Red Bank protesters. "Stop this insane,
mad rush to war. Iraq is no threat to us." ... Gay, whose group NJ Labor
Against War rallied at the NJ Transit station before the 10:28 AM train
arrived, said an attack on Iraq will actually make America less safe by
destabilizing an already volatile region and encouraging future terrorist
attacks. ... She called such an attack "Bush's war of mass distraction,
trying to divert attention to policies that have declared war on working
people and families in this country."
... Labor unions, too, took a big role. Five major national unions oppose the
war. "We are going to stop this war," said Dennis Rivera, leader of SEIU
1199, a powerful health-care workers union that brought thousands of mostly
black and Latino workers to the rally. "If they can march in Rome and
Barcelona and London, we can march in New York, too." ...
l>
Tatsha Robertson, Boston Globe, February 16, 2002
... "We haven't seen much widespread opposition like this to any American war
at its beginning. I think you probably will have to go back to the end of
Vietnam, when there were massive protests, and before that it was World War
I," said Michael Letwin, of New York City Labor Against the War. "Does that
mean Bush will pay attention? They don't want to listen to anybody. ...
Nonetheless, I think they may not have a choice." ...
A war with Iraq will do harm to the Boston economy. It's only a question of
how deep, how long, and where the damage will be greatest. From healthcare,
technology, and real estate to financial services and tourism, hardly a
single big industry in the area will do well. Some companies are finding
pockets of profit potential from a war, but overall most industries will
suffer. Even Greater Boston's still sizable defense industry won't reap many
immediate gains. A possible exception: Biotech stocks could get a significant
short-term lift. ...
Resolution of UAW Local 1700
(DaimlerChrysler Sterling Heights Assembly Plant)
Resolution adopted by actions of Executive Board, 2/13/03 and Membership,
2/16/03
Whereas, union members and leaders have the responsibility to inform all
working people about issues that affect their lives, jobs, and families, and
to be heard in the national debate on these issues ... Resolved that Local
1700 UAW stands firmly against Bush's war drive ... For more information
contact Bill Parker, President UAW Local 1700 313-893-0300. Local 1700 is a
member of SE Michigan Jobs with Justice.
San Francisco Labor Contingent Marches against War
Charles Walker, February 16, 2003
San Francisco - More than 500 [NOTE: LC4PJ and USLAW estimate 1000-1200] San
Francisco Bay Area trade unionists joined a jam-packed anti-war march up the
city's main thoroughfare today. Marching behind a twenty-foot Labor Against
War banner and a dockworkers drill team, the trade union contingent was the
result of vigorous organizing by the newly formed US Labor Against War
(USLAW). Officials from many area AFL-CIO Labor Councils were on hand, and at
least a dozen official local union banners showed that members from the SEIU,
Roofers, California Nurses Association, Plumbers, Teamsters and the National
Writers Union had turned out. Although only a small part of today's protest
demonstration, estimated at 250,000 by rally planners, the organized labor
contingent was the largest number of unionists, as unionists, to be seen at
the several anti-war rallies of recent months. Just recently, some lagging
regional central labor councils have adopted anti-war resolutions, as have
some local unions, including San Francisco Teamsters Local 85, only the
second in the country to break with the national Teamsters' apparent support
of the administration's war aims. ...
Labor Marches 1000+ Strong in SF Peace Demo
Michael Eisenscher, February 18, 2003
Capping several weeks of intensive outreach and organizing by members of the
Labor Committee for Peace and Justice and US Labor Against the War in the Bay
Area, more than one thousand union members and their families formed an
impressive labor contingent in the "World Says No to War" march and rally in
San Francisco on Sunday, February 16th. Union members and their families
assembled three blocks away from the main march route (Market Street from the
Bay to Civic Center) where pre-march labor rally and a well organized labor
contingent could be organized. The rally was led off by members of the
Freedom Song Network who put everyone in great spirits. Members turned out
from ILWU, SEIU, AFSCME, CSEA/SEIU, Plumbers, IBEW, Sheetmetal Workers and
other building trades locals, AFT, Sign & Display/Painters, Operating
Engineers, OPEIU, Writers' Union/UAW, Coalition of University Employees,
TNG/CWA, Media Workers, Treasury Employees, AFGE, IAM, APWU, Labor for Mumia,
GCIU, CWA, UESF, NALC, Oakland Educ. Asn., CA Nurses Asn., IFPTE, Teamsters,
and others I've probably missed. Walter Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer of the
SF Labor Council and Robert Dhondrup, representing the Alameda County Central
Labor Council greeted the rally. Tom Rankin, President of the CA Federation
of Labor marched with the contingent, which was led by the ILWU Drill Team
and banner and a large Labor Against the War banner held high on poles. ...
If your local has not yet formally affiliated with USLAW, encourage it to do
so. Even though it may have adopted an antiwar resolution, affiliation with
USLAW still requires an affirmative decision to do so and notice to USLAW of
the union's desire to be affiliated. Write to uslaw@igc.org or info@uslaboragainstwar.org. Visit the USLAW and LC4PJ websites at
<http://www.uslaboragainstwar.org> and <http://www.labor4peacejustice.org>.
Donations to support the work of LC4PJ are badly needed and should be sent to
LC4PJ, P.O. Box 14156, Berkeley, CA 94712-5156. Donations for USLAW should be
sent to James & Hoffman, ATTN: USLAW, 1101 Seventeenth Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20036-4704.
On the afternoon of May 8, 1970, some 200 construction workers attacked a
Wall Street rally against the Vietnam War. It became one of the searing
images of the nation's wrenching internal debate on the conflict and helped
draw a dividing line right through the middle of millions of American living
rooms: flag-carrying hardhats pummeling longhaired protesters. President
Nixon was so pleased with events that he named then New York City building
trades leader Peter Brennan, who egged on the workers, as his labor
secretary. Organized labor, with only a handful of exceptions, was squarely
in the pro-war camp then. Cigar-chomping AFL-CIO chief George Meany led the
charge. Years later, after 58,000 body bags had come back from Indochina,
Meany had second thoughts. "If I had known then what I know now, I would have
acted differently about the war," he told an interviewer not long before he
died in 1980. ... Leaders of more than 400 labor organizations, representing
4.5 million union members, have signed on to a tough resolution condemning
the Bush administration's push toward war. The statement is an expression of
the deepest mistrust about the administration's central claims. ...
The Labor Party believes in the American Dream of opportunity, fairness and
justice. We stand for a world that values working people, their families and
communities. That vision includes the right of all people to live in peace
and security. We and our children are the first to be sent to war. We are the
first to die on the battlefield. Always, working people have risen to the
defense of our country and the principles of freedom and justice. We have
earned the right to speak out on questions of war and peace. We have fought
for the freedom to have our voices heard. And today we exercise those rights:
We oppose the war in Iraq. We oppose it because it will kill thousands of
innocent people. We oppose it because it will hurt, not bolster our security.
We oppose it because it will undercut our liberties and squander our
resources. We oppose it because it will strengthen the hand of those who seek
to impose their corporate agenda at our expense. ... We call upon our
brothers and sisters to rise up in defense of our country by opposing the
pernicious doctrine of preemption and this war without end.
Dear anti-war labor friends and founding members of US Labor Against the War,
Please find attached a petition that Organized Labor Against the War -
Seattle/King County helped to draft and is now circulating in the labor
movement. The petition has also been endorsed by Out Front Labor
Coalition/Pride at Work. Our goal is to send as many petitions as possible to
the AFL-CIO E-board before their late February meeting, as well as beyond
that. In addition to union resolutions this is a way to give voice to union
rank-and-filers, on an issue that will impact each and every one of us. ...
In solidarity, Linda Averill, Organized Labor Against the War - Seattle/King
County
Labor Must Speak Out Against the War
To: John Sweeney, President, AFL-CIO and Members of the AFL-CIO Executive
Council
We, the undersigned, support the strong anti-war resolution adopted by US
Labor Against the War at its founding conference in Chicago, Illinois on
January 11, 2003. More than 100 participants representing 76 unions and labor
organizations unanimously voted to oppose President Bush's war drive. We
oppose the AFL-CIO Executive Council position that leaves the door open to
support the war if it is sanctioned by the United Nations and joined by US
allies. With or without international backing, Bush's war on Iraq will take a
terrible toll on workers around the globe. The much sought after UN approval
will provide legal cover for the deaths of thousands of Iraqis. It will also
strengthen Bush's hand in using the war to bust unions and deny US citizens
and immigrants their civil and constitutional rights. It is imperative that
organized labor - the largest voice for working people in the US - stand up,
be counted, and be heard. The lives of millions of people are at stake as
well as the safety and security of the entire world. We call on the AFL-CIO
Executive Council to immediately adopt the US Labor Against the War
resolution as a clear and firm statement opposing the war against Iraq.
Today over 4000 people in Detroit braved the bitter cold to march against war
on Iraq. After the march down Washington Boulevard, a rally was held at Cobo
Hall. Among others, three top United Auto Worker leaders spoke at the rally
against the "drumbeat for war." The February 15 demonstration was part of the
world-wide actions initiated by the European Social Forum last fall. The
struggle continued at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil where
the International Assembly of Social Movements made the date one of the key
mobilizations of the year. ... John Conyers, Democratic representative from
Detroit, and the mayor of Hamtramck also spoke. The UAW was represented by
vice presidents Richard Shoemaker and Bob King and secretary-treasurer
Elizabeth Bunn. She said that she spoke "for the caucus" meaning the
Administration Caucus that runs the UAW. She quoted Abraham Lincoln: "It is a
sin to sit silent when it is your duty to protest." She said that "there are
no sinners here today." ...
The Health Care Workers Union, SEIU Local 250 has 85,000 members in Northern
California. Our members spend their working lives giving care to the sick,
the elderly and the disabled. We work in both the public and private
sectors. We care about human life and we care about our country. We
participate fully in our communities, in our state and local politics and
government, in our religious institutions and in our union. As a union and as
patriotic Americans, we are obligated to educate ourselves about current
affairs that affect our members, our families and our patients. We are
obliged to make our opinions known to our representatives. Through this
resolution we are addressing an issue of overriding concern to us - the
possibility of the war on Iraq initiated by our government.
After two meetings to consider the merits of the pending war with Iraq, Local
285 Executive Board members passed a resolution expressing strong
reservations about the government's policies toward Iraq and outlining four
principles that should be used to evaluate future decisions on this issue:
.War must be the last option, not the first, for solving international
problems.
.The US government should not unilaterally attack another country unless our
country is under attack or faces a clear, immediate threat.
.A war won t make us safer. In the labor movement we have a saying no
justice, no peace. Our elected officials need to do more to help reduce
hunger, homelessness, and preventable disease and promote democracy,
education, and opportunity in other countries and here at home. We must work
together with other nations to negotiate fair trade agreements that raise
living standards in all nations, and focus on finding a just peace in the
Middle East.
.The rights and freedoms our government says it is fighting for abroad must
be protected here at home.
The resolution passed 22 to 5 with 3 members abstaining. The Local 285
Executive Board is directly elected by members from each workplace
chapter. SEIU Local 285 joins a chorus of other SEIU locals and other unions
both in Massachusetts and around the country urging President Bush and
Congress not to invade Iraq. The national SEIU passed a similar resolution in
late January. ...
ble_war_with_iraq_.cfm>
SEIU Local 285 Executive Board, February 19, 2003
SEIU members, like other Americans, have a wide range of opinions about
important policy issues, but we all care about human life and about our
country. It is the working people of America and our children whose lives
will be on the line if our government cannot resolve conflicts without
war. In that spirit, we want to express our concerns and outline our
principles ...
Our Letter to AFL-CIO Council Members Tells How to Shackle Saddam Hussein
<http://www.laboreducator.org/letafl.htm>
Harry Kelber, LaborTalk, February 19, 2003
The following text is a letter I sent to each of the 54 members of the
AFL-CIO Executive Council. H.K.
For many months, the Executive Council and you personally have pointedly
refused to say anything about the impending US war against Iraq, as though
the issue of war and peace had nothing to do with the lives of America's
working people. We're counting on you and other members to break your silence
at the forthcoming Council meeting on Feb. 25-27 in Hollywood, Fla. We don't
know what your views are about the Iraq crisis, but we're asking you to
review the evidence with the experience and insights you've gained as a union
leader and negotiator. ...
"LaborTalk" can be viewed on www.laboreducator.org every Wednesday. Our
weekly "Labor and the War" appears on Fridays at this same Web site.
Outside the UAW Local 600 hall in Dearborn is a pole flying three flags. On
top is the Stars and Stripes. The local's standard, gold and emblazoned with
the black UAW insignia, is on the bottom. And in the middle is the stark
black-and-white flag honoring soldiers missing in action, with the
inscription, "We Will Not Forget." Nearby is a tombstone-like slab erected by
union members who were veterans. The monument bears a fierce bald eagle and
is etched with the names of the five wars this country fought in the last
century, beginning with World War I and ending with Desert Storm. On
Saturday, about 200 members from a variety of unions braved a snowstorm to
attend a meeting intended to help keep the name of yet another war from being
etched into that stone, and to keep more soldiers from being lost to battle.
... Millie Hall, president of the Detroit Chapter of the Coalition for Labor
Union Women, pointed out that working-class families, whose members will be
on the front lines, will most directly feel the pain of conflict. It will be
a heavy price to pay, she said, arguing that the coming conflict is rooted
more in a presidency seeking distraction from a failing US economy than in
actual threats posed by Saddam Hussein. ...
America's working families and their unions fully support the efforts to
disarm the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein. This is best achieved in
concert with a broad international coalition of allies and with the sanction
of the United Nations. ... While every nation agrees with the goal of
disarmament, the global community is deeply divided over how this should be
accomplished. In cities around the world, people are taking to the streets to
speak out against a war in Iraq. Here at home, more than 100 cities have
passed resolutions opposing military action against Iraq without United
Nations sanction. Many citizens, while supporting the goal of disarmament,
are not convinced that war now is the only option. ...
93a9bfc90f2&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE>
Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, February 27, 2003
Hollywood, Fla. - After backing administrations in the Korean, Vietnam and
Persian Gulf wars, the labor movement departed today from tradition and
criticized President Bush's approach to a conflict with Iraq. At its winter
meeting, the AFL-CIO executive council unanimously approved a resolution
urging Mr. Bush to embrace a broad multilateral approach to Iraq and
criticizing the administration for dividing the world and insulting America's
allies. ... "America has always been a peace-loving nation, slow to take up
arms, and resolute in pursuit of diplomatic resolution to crises. This
administration's actions are sadly eroding that reputation." That language is
a sharp contrast to organized labor's stance in the Vietnam War, when the
federation, under its president, George Meany, strongly supported the war
effort. ...
_iraq_3>
Leigh Strope, Associated Press, February 27, 2003
Hollywood, Fla. - The nation's largest labor federation declared its
opposition Thursday to war against Iraq at this time, saying President Bush
has not made a case for an attack without broad support from US allies. The
executive council of the AFL-CIO, made up of 65 unions, ended its four-day
meeting by unanimously passing the carefully worded resolution, which also
says Saddam Hussein must be disarmed - with "multilateral resolve, not
unilateral action." ...
Washington - The executive council of the AFL-CIO passed a resolution
Thursday opposing war with Iraq "at this time" and arguing against unilateral
US action. ... "There may be times when we must stand alone and act
unilaterally in defense of our national security," the resolution said. "But
the threat posed by Saddam Hussein deserves multilateral resolve, not
unilateral action." ...
USLAW Responds to AFL-CIO Resolution Opposing War in Iraq
Union Anti-War Coalition Sees AFL-CIO Iraq Stance as Boost to March 12 Labor
Day for Peace
Calls Todays Executive Council Resolution Historic
<http://www.uslaboragainstwar.org/index.php?singleItemFlag=1&news_id=181>
US Labor Against the War, February 27, 2003
"This is historic. This is the first time in US history that the top
leadership of the labor movement has opposed a US president's war policy.
President Bush has said he will invade and occupy Iraq; the AFL-CIO opposes
that policy. This statement will encourage unions to continue and expand
their protests against this war," said Bob Muehlenkamp, coordinator of USLAW.
US Labor Against the War has called for a Labor Day for Peace on March 12,
with antiwar activities at thousands of worksites across America. "We
anticipate that with this resolution from labor's top leaders, unions will
make a strong statement on March 12 in opposition to Bush's war policy," said
Gene Bruskin, coordinator of USLAW. Commenting on the AFL-CIO resolution,
Larry Cohen, Executive Vice-President of the 600,000-member Communications
Workers of America (CWA) said, "The labor movement is making the connections
between Bush's war policy and the other parts of his foreign policy. This is
the same foreign policy that is destroying jobs with its trade agreements a
foreign policy that cares nothing about the jobs and rights of American
workers." ...
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