May Day Greetings to the Workers and Labor Movement of Iraq
April 29th, 2009
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Sisters and Brothers in the
Struggle for a Better World:
On behalf of the 187 labor organizations
affiliated with U.S. Labor Against the War and the millions of union members
they represent, we extend our warmest fraternal May Day greeting. We are proud
to stand with you in a common struggle for peace, social justice, dignity and
human rights for all people.
On a day in which the working people of
the world celebrate their struggles for dignity, fair treatment, jobs at decent
wages, and justice at work, we must take note that for most Iraqi workers these
fundamental rights remain out of reach. Such basic needs as clean water,
reliable electricity, decent housing, jobs, healthcare and education are still
unmet. For a growing number of workers in our own country, these basic rights
also can no longer be taken for granted.
We also recognize, that for
the working people of both our countries, no serious progress toward meeting
these needs can be made so long was billions of dollars are squandered on
militarism, war and an occupation that makes impossible the restoration of real
sovereignty to the people of Iraq while it continues to destroy lives and the
livelihoods of the working people of both our countries.
Last November,
the American people voted overwhelmingly for peace and for an end to military
occupation and conquest. President Obama campaigned on a promise to end the
military occupation of Iraq. We intend to hold him to that promise. On this
day dedicated to the struggles and accomplishments of the international working
class, we recommit ourselves to end the occupation of your country. The funds
now spent on bases, weapons and troops should be used to rebuild Iraq under the
direction and control of the Iraqi people, and to meet the basic needs of
working people of both our countries.
We also share a common struggle for
basic labor rights. We know that no real democracy can exist where workers are
not free to organize, bargain and strike when necessary in defense of their
interests. We support your demand that the Iraqi government speedily adopt a
basic labor law that complies with international standards, including the right
to freely organize and join unions of the worker's choice, free of all
government interference.
And we shall continue to support your struggle
to prevent privatization of Iraq’s basic resources, foremost its oil and gas,
and its essential public services and industries. No decisions regarding the
long term development of Iraq's energy industry should be made until full
sovereignty and self-determination for the Iraqi people have been
restored.
We salute your courage and your resistance to injustice. Your
movement is an inspiration to us and to working people all around the
world.
Long live the Iraqi labor movement!
The Officers and
Steering Committee of
U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW)
- Co-Convenors & Staff
- Kathy Black
Michael Eisenscher
- Gene Bruskin Tom Gogan
- Eileen Connelly Adrienne Nicosia
- Fred Mason
- Bob Muehlenkamp
- Nancy Wohlforth
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