Open
World Conference of Workers
In Defense of Trade Union Independence & Democratic Rights
May 2004
1) INTERNATIONAL APPEAL: Withdraw
All Foreign Troops from Iraq! Peace and Sovereignty for Iraq!
2) APPEAL: Support the Complaint to the ILO
Committee on Trade Union Freedoms Lodged by the Federation of Workers'
Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI) and the Union of the Unemployed in
Iraq (UUI)
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INTERNATIONAL APPEAL:
International Appeal Promoted Internationally by:
* US Labor Against the War (USLAW)
* the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions (ICATU)
* the International Liaison Committee of Workers and Peoples (ILC)
WITHDRAW ALL FOREIGN OCCUPATION TROOPS FROM IRAQ!
PEACE AND SOVEREIGNTY FOR IRAQ!
We, the undersigned trade unionists and labor activists from around
the world, applaud the decision by the new Spanish government to withdraw
its troops from Iraq. We call on all governments with occupation forces in
Iraq -- especially the U.S. government -- to take similar action.
Indeed, the situation facing the Iraqi people is alarming: The number of
Iraqi deaths -- particularly civilians, women and children -- increases by
the day, with untold human suffering. The torture of prisoners by the U.S.
occupation forces is heinous and has stirred public outrage the world
over. Hunger is widespread, resulting from the destruction of the
country's infrastructure under the occupation.
Iraq's sovereignty has been trampled upon. There is a complete absence of
democratic rights, including the right of workers to form trade unions of
their choice, as stipulated by the Conventions of the International Labor
Organization (ILO).
As trade unionists and labor activists, we believe that the labor movement
worldwide must speak out in one voice to demand an end to this horrific
situation: The occupation of Iraq must end. The Iraqi people and nation
must be able to regain their rights, freedoms and sovereignty -- as well
as the full control over their resources, wealth, and economic, social and
political destiny.
On April 18, the Spanish government -- which was elected by an important
margin in the election of March 14 -- decided in a free and sovereign
manner to withdraw its troops from Iraq. Newly elected Prime Minister José
Luis Rodriguez Zapatero declared the day following this action that
"the decision to send troops to Iraq and to support the war on Iraq
has led to the destruction of a country and has only generated more
insecurity and instability."
On May 2, Zapatero stated: "The invasion and occupation of Iraq has
been a disaster. This should serve as a message to the international
community so that never again will there be a 'pre-emptive war' that
violates international law."
The working people of Spain, who mobilized by the millions in opposition
to the war and who elected a government with a clear mandate to get out of
Iraq, welcomed with great enthusiasm the decision by the Spanish premier
to make good on his pledge and withdraw all Spanish troops from that
war-torn country.
The working people of Spain do not want war -- not with the Iraqi people
nor with any other people.
People the world over share this same aspiration -- including the North
American people, who have mobilized in huge numbers to express the need
for peace and fraternal relations among peoples.
As trade unionists and labor activists who defend the interests of all
working people, we are particularly concerned that our sons and daughters,
our sisters and brothers, our fellow workers and union members not be
placed in harm's way in wars of aggression and destruction. We are also
mindful that in such wars, it is innocent civilians who pay the greatest
price.
That is why we affirm that nothing is more urgent today than to wage a
united struggle for the withdrawal of all foreign occupation troops from
Iraq. In this sense we embrace the call issued May 3 by U.S. Labor Against
the War (USLAW), which states: "We call for an end now to the U.S.
occupation and for all military, political and economic authority to be
transferred to the people of Iraq."
U.S. trade unionists involved in USLAW's Military Families Task Force have
insisted that their sons and daughters, their sisters and brothers, should
return home alive now -- not in coffins or body bags!
That is why we address ourselves to all our governments to demand an end
to the occupation, for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Iraq --
so that a future of peace and democracy can be opened for the Iraqi
people.
The decision by the Spanish government to remove troops from Iraq was
followed soon after by a similar decision by the governments of Honduras
and the Dominican Republic. In many other countries the discussion about
withdrawing troops is taking place.
Clearly, this sovereign and free decision by the Spanish government is
being supported with great enthusiasm by the workers and peoples around
the world, as well as by their organizations.
We, the undersigned trade unionists and labor activists, issue this appeal
for an end to the occupation of Iraq. The governments with occupation
forces in Iraq must heed the will of the majority of their people. They
must allow the Iraqi people to reclaim their freedom and their
sovereignty.
Initial Signatories from the United States and Spain
(* All titles for individual endorsers are listed for identification
only.)
(FROM THE UNITED STATES)
- Communication Workers of America Local 1180 (New York, N.Y.)
- Philadelphia Central Labor Council (AFL-CIO)
- South Bay Labor for Peace & Justice (Silicon Valley, Calif.)
- United Health Care Workers of Greater St. Louis (UHCW)
- St. Louis Labor Against the War Committee
David Bacon, labor journalist, member of International Labor Rights
Campaign Delegation to Iraq (Berkeley, Calif.)
Alan Benjamin, OPEIU Local 3 Delegate to S.F. Labor Council;
Co-coordinator, Open World Conference Continuations Committee *
Joe Berry, Chicago Coalition of Academic Labor *
Ed Bruno, Iraq Labor Rights Task Force, USLAW (Boston, Mass)
Gene Bruskin, Co-convenor, US Labor Against the War (USLAW)
Larry Duncan, Producer, Labor Beat (Chicago, Illinois)
Michael Eisenscher, Coordinator, Bay Area Labor Committee for Peace
and Justice (S.F. Bay Area, Calif.)
Chris Kaihatsu, Labor antiwar activist (Chicago, Illinois)
Kevin Hussey, BMWE Lodges 3014 & 3068 USLAW delegate *
Dan Kaplan, Executive Secretary, AFT Local 1493 (San Mateo, Calif.)
*
Jim Martin, Philadelphia Central Labor Council delegate to USLAW
Amy Newell, Organizer, US Labor Against the War (USLAW)
Mike Parker, UAW Local 1700, Labor Notes *
Claude Piller, Organizing Director, AFSCME Local 3299 (San Diego,
Calif.) *
Nancy Romer, PSC-CUNY, AFT Local 2334 (Brooklyn, New York) *
Ed Rosario, President GCIU Local 4-N; Co-coordinator, Open World
Conference Continuations Committee *
Jeffrey Segal, Vice President, Southeast Region, National
Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320 *
Marsha Steinberg, Field Representative/Organizer SEIU Local 660
(Los Angeles, Calif.) *
Clarence Thomas, Executive Board, ILWU Local 10; member of
International Campaign Delegation to Iraq (San Francisco, Calif.) *
Jerry Tucker, USLAW organizer (St. Louis, MO)
----------
(FROM SPAIN)
Agustín Pachón Sánchez, C. Ejecutiva Federación Estatal Sanidad
CC.OO
Alberto Elosúa, SEC general FES UGT Euskadi
Alfonso Porras Jara, miembro ejecutiva estatal Federacion de
Comunicacion y Transporte del Papel, Graficas y Fotografia
Angel Campabadal, sector estatal de ahorro de FES UGT
Angel Jiménez Martínez, comité nacional de UGT de Cataluña
Antonio Amaro, C. Ejecutiva Federación Estatal Sanidad CC.OO.
Antonio Esquinas Sanchez, miembro ejecutiva Federacion de
Comunicacion y Transporte (Madrid-Region) CCOO
Araceli Ortiz Arteaga, C. Ejecutiva Federación Estatal Sanidad
CC.OO
Beatriz Gómez Morante, secretaria sección sindical CCOO Siemens
Blas Ortega, sindicalista UGT país Valenciano
Carmen Chacón Roldán, Comisión Ejecutiva Confederal de CC.OO.
Carmen Pedrero, Sª Gral. Federación Sanidad Extremadura CC.OO.
Eduardo Marquina Nagore, Secretario general FIA UGT Euskadi
Enrique Sanchez Collado, secretario general UGT Millars plana baixa
palancia
Felix Fernández, Comisión ejecutiva FES UGT
Fernando Ruiz Zaragoza, economista de la federación del metal de
Madrid CCOO
Francisco García Crespín, comité nacional FSP UGT de Cataluña
Francisco Hortet, Comisión ejecutiva de federación estatal del
metal de CCOO
Francisco Imaz Abad, miembro ejecutiva Federacion de Comunicacion y
Transporte (Madrid-Region) CCOO
Francisco J. Cepeda, miembro ejecutiva Federacion de Comunicacion y
Transporte (Madrid-Region) CCOO
Gumersindo Benítez, Presidente comité de empresa Bizkaibus UGT
Jesús Béjar, comisión ejecutiva comarca sur de Madrid CCOO
Joaquin Juzgado Feito, miembro ejecutiva Federacion de Comunicacion
y Transporte (Madrid-Region) CCOO
Joaquín Martínez, comité nacional de Cataluña de UGT FSP
Joel Vasquez Alcantara, miembro ejecutiva Federacion de
Comunicacion y Transporte de Galicia CCOO
Jose Allmela, secretario sindicato comarcal MCA UGT millars plana
baixa palancia
José Antonio Pozo, Comité Nacional UGT Cataluña
José M. García Cruz, C. Ejecutiva Federación Estatal Sanidad
CC.OO
José Miguel Villa, secretario general FES-UGT Madrid comité
confederal UGT
Juan Manuel Canle, Comisión ejecutiva de la sección estatal de
UGT en Unicaja
Juan Sánchez, Secretario general de FES UGT
Julio Novillo, secretario FSAP CCOO Ayuntamiento de Madrid
Koldo Méndez, secretario general UPTA UGT Euskadi
Luis González, secretario general de CCOO de sanidad de Sevilla
Luis Lozano Mercadal, secretario general FSP UGT País Valenciano
Luis Lunar, comisión ejecutiva de la federación estatal
agroalimentaria CCOO
Luis Mª Pérez, SEC general FSP UGT margen izquierda Vizcaya
Manuel Fernandez Balanza, miembro ejecutiva Federacion de
Comunicacion y Transporte (Madrid-Region) CCOO
Miguel Ángel Sánchez, secretario de organización de UGT-FSP
Cataluña
Miguel Muñoz, secretario formación federación estatal de enseñanza
de CCOO
Pedro Marquina, secretario general transporte UGT Euskadi
Pedro San Frutos, Comisión Ejecutiva Confederal de CCOO
Pilar Manjón, CE de CCOO de Madrid (madre de uno de los fallecidos
el 11M)
Rafael Aguilera, Comité federal FSP UGT
Raul Sevilleja Ramos, delgado CCOO de OTIS
Roberto Tornamira, secretario organización FES UGT Madrid
Salce Elvira, Comisión ejecutiva confederal de CCOO
Ventura Montalbán Gámez, sindicalista de CCOO País Valenciano
*************************
International Appeal Organizers Need Your Support!
The International Appeal to "Withdraw All Foreign Occupation
Troops From Iraq!" is being promoted internationally by:
- US Labor Against the War (USLAW)
- the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions (ICATU)
- the International Liaison Committee of Workers and Peoples (ILC)
All three of these organizations came together in Geneva in June 2003 to
launch the International Campaign Against the Occupation and For Labor
Rights in Iraq.
The organizers of this international campaign call on trade unionists and
labor rights activists the world over to (1) endorse this appeal,
(2) make a financial contribution to support the Iraqi Labor Solidarity
Fund launched by US Labor Against the War, which has an initial goal
of raising $10,000 to be divided between the Iraq Federation of Trade
Unions and the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq, and (3) help
fund the travel expenses of the Iraqi trade unionists who will be
attending the 11th Annual Trade Union Meeting in Geneva in Defense of the
ILO Conventions.
* Financial contributions from the United States should be made payable to
USLAW Iraqi Labor Solidarity Fund and should be sent to USLAW, 1718 M St.
NW #153, Washington, DC 20036. You can also make a contribution to this
fund on the internet at the secure website of USLAW at https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=1822
* Financial contributions from all other countries should be sent to the
ILC to help defray the travel and lodging expenses of the Iraqi trade
union delegation to the June 11th meeting in Geneva in defense of the ILO
conventions. Checks should be made payable to "CMO" and mailed
to Entente, 87 rue du Faubourg St. Denis, 75010 Paris, France. Bank
transfers can be sent directly to (IBAN):
FR76-3093-8000-34000-5122-7000-317 - LUBPFRPP
To endorse this appeal, and/or for more information about
the International Campaign Against the Occupation and For Labor Rights in
Iraq, please contact:
- US Labor Against the War, 1718 M Street #153, NW, Washington DC,
20036, USA. E-mail: info@uslaboragainstwar.org;
website: http://www.uslaboragainstwar.org
- International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions, 213, rue
Bagdad, PO Box 3225, Damascus (Syria). Tel. : (963 11) 445 95 44 - Fax :
(963 11) 442 03 23. E-mail: icatu@net.sy
- International Liaison Committee of Workers and Peoples, 87, rue
du Faubourg-Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris (France). Tel.: (33-1) 48 01 88 28.
Fax: (33-1) 48 01 88 36. E-mail: eit.ilc@fr.oleane
.com and ilcinfo@earthlink.net;
website, http://www.owcinfo.org
*************************
APPEAL
Support the Complaint to the ILO Committee on Trade Union Freedoms Lodged
by the Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI)
and the Union of the Unemployed in Iraq (UUI)
Introduction
The Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI) --- of
which the Union of the Unemployed in Iraq (UUI) is an affiliate --- has
been fighting unceasingly to be granted legal recognition ever since it
was founded at a national conference held on December 8, 2003 in Baghdad
with worker delegates representing workplaces from across Iraq.
The Union of the Unemployed in Iraq was formed in May 2003, when they
elected an Executive Council that elected their General Secretary. It has
now formed local branches in 7 provinces grouping 150,000 affiliated
workers from around the country.
The Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq and the Union of
the Unemployed in Iraq attended an ILO and ICFTU seminar in Amman, Jordan,
in December 2003 with the participation of other Arab trade unions of the
region.
In February 2004, in Baghdad, they had a meeting with an international
delegation of labour unions headed by the ICFTU.
On March 15, 2004 the Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq
and the Union of the Unemployed in Iraq were received by representatives
of the ILO Workers Group at the ILO in Geneva. The purpose of the
delegation was to inform the ILO Workers Group of the situation of the
labour movement in Iraq and more specifically to inform the ILO that the
dispositions of ILO Conventions 87 and 98 are not enforced in Iraq.
This delegation to the ILO Workers Group also included representatives
from US Labor Against the War (USLAW), the International Confederation of
Arab Trade Unions (ICATU), and the International Liaison Committee of
Workers and Peoples (ILC). These organisations are participating in the
International Campaign Against the Occupation and for Labour Rights in
Iraq.
To the question: "What could be done to prevent that Iraq -- today --
perpetuates the system of official selection and recognition of trade
unions that excludes the right to organise in the union of one's own
choosing," the answer from the representatives of the ILO Workers
Group referred to the ILO's mechanisms providing for the possibility for
any Iraqi union which considered that ILO Conventions are being violated
to lodge a complaint to the ILO Trade Union Freedom Committee.
Further to the advice given by the representatives of the ILO Workers
Group, the Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq and the
Union of the Unemployed in Iraq have decided to lodge a complaint to the
ILO Trade Union Freedom Committee.
The Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq and the Union of
the Unemployed in Iraq will meet the ILO Workers Group again on June 11,
2004.
The Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq and the Union of
the Unemployed in Iraq call upon labour organisations the world over, and
particularly on all the Workers Group delegates at the next ILO yearly
assembly, to support their complaint to the ILO Trade Union Freedom
Committee.
Complaint to the ILO Trade Union Freedom Committee
lodged by the Union of the Unemployed in Iraq (UUI) and the Federation of
Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI)
Address in Baghdad: Bab Al-Sharki, Al Rasheed St, Old Labor Union
Bldg. Baghdad, Iraq
Contact address abroad: Aso Jabbar, cp 325, CH-3000 Berne 11, Switzerland
asojabbar@yahoo.com
We, the undersigned duly elected representatives acting on behalf of the
Union of the Unemployed in Iraq (UUI) and of the Federation of Workers'
Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI), wish hereby to lodge a complaint to
the International Labour Organisation's Trade Union Freedom Committee
- Whereas, several trade union organisations were set up by the Iraqi
workers themselves after the fall of the previous regime, including the
Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq (of which the Union of
the Unemployed in Iraq is an affiliate);
- Whereas, the Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq was set
up at its founding national conference held December 8, 2003 in Baghdad
with worker delegates representing workplaces from across Iraq;
- Whereas, the Federation of Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq is now
grouping 300,000 Iraqi workers;
- Whereas, the Union of the Unemployed in Iraq was formed in May 2003,
when they elected an Executive Council that elected their General
Secretary;
- Whereas, the Union of the Unemployed in Iraq now has formed local
branches in 7 provinces recording so far 150,000 affiliated workers from
around the country;
- Whereas, on January 28, 2004 Decree No 16 issued by Interim Governing
Council President Adnan Pachachi granted recognition to one of the
existing trade union federations in Iraq, the IFTU, by stating that the
IFTU and its President, Mr Rasem Hussein Abdullah, are "the
legitimate and legal representatives of the labour movement in Iraq";
and
- Whereas, at various workplaces such as the Baghdad railway station or
Basra Refinery, after the adoption of Decree No 16 of January 28, 2004
Iraqi workers were told by the management that they should join the
legalised union, thus implying that the other unions would be illegal.
- We therefore consider that the current situation created by the
introduction of Decree No 16 is not consistent with ILO standards and more
specifically violates dispositions of ILO Conventions 87 and 98.
Regarding ILO Convention 87
- In its Articles 1 & 2, ILO Convention 87 stipulates that,
"Workers and employees without any distinction have the right,
without prior authorisation, to set up organisations of their own choosing
as well as the right to join these organisations" (Article1), and
"Workers and employees' organisations have a right to elaborate their
rule book and to elect freely their representatives" (Article 2).
Is there not a contradiction between the fact that the public authorities
decided that a trade union was the "legitimate and legal
representative of the labour movement in Iraq" and the fact that
"workers and employees without any distinction have the right without
prior authorisation to set up organisations of their own choosing as well
as the right to join these organisations" ?
Is it not a violation of Article 1 of ILO Convention 87 when workplace
managements instruct the workers on which trade union they should
affiliate?
- Article 3 of ILO Convention 87, stipulates that, "Public
authorities must abstain from any interference, any act restricting those
rights or at preventing the legal exercise of these rights."
Is there not a violation of Article 3 of ILO Convention 87 when the
public authorities decree which is the representave union?
We say that by passing Decree No 16 on January 28, 2004, which selects the
union to be granted recognition, the public authorities took the right to
decide which organisation should be recognised and thus barred the way to
the freedom to affiliate to the union of own's own choosing.
It is a clear public interference in violation of ILO Convention 87. It
perpetuates the previous system of official selection and recognition of
trade unions, excluding the right to organise in the union of one's own
choosing.
Regarding ILO Convention 98
- Article 1 of ILO Convention 98, stipulates that, "The
organisations of workers and employees must be adequately protected
against any mutual interference when for instance company managers
threaten to dismiss workers for joining unions which are considered
illegal."
Subsequent to the fact that the shameful law passed by Saddam Hussein
in 1987 banning the right to strike in all public enterprises has not been
repealed, Iraqi trade unionists have been threatened by company managers
and attacked by the occupying forces for striking.
Iraqi workers are now being told by management and the authorities that by
not affiliating to the only recognised union they are acting illegally.
They can be arrested and sent to jail simply for exercising the right to
organise in the union of their own choosing, a right which is enshrined in
ILO Conventions.
These threats expressed in violation of the dispositions of ILO Convention
98 are made possible because ILO Convention 87 providing for the right to
organise in the union of one's own choosing is not enforced.
- ILO Convention 98 provides for the right to bargain collectively.
It is a violation of ILO Conventions 87 and 98 when, by means of Decree No
16 of January 28, 2004 the authorities take the right to decide which
organisations should be recognised and in so doing select which union
should be granted the universally recognised right to negotiate.
Iraqi workers, with their duly elected representatives, should be allowed
to formulate their demands towards the elaboration of a labour law, which
can only be written in Iraq by the Iraqi workers themselves.
Hundreds of thousands of workers in Iraq are currently unemployed (70% of
the workforce according to recent survey), and there is widespread fear
that their economic well-being has been taken out of their control and in
fact depends on the occupying forces. In the current situation, Iraqi
workers fear that the decisions made by the occupying forces, particularly
in the economic field with privatisation, would continue the plundering of
the Iraqi resources by the multinational corporations. It is the people of
Iraq themselves who must be in charge of drafting their own Constitution
and their own laws, including their own labour law and the dispositions
providing for the right to unemployment benefits and full trade union
rights provided for by ILO Conventions and more specifically Conventions
87 and 98.
- Whereas, we consider that there can't be democracy in Iraq if the people
of Iraq cannot decide themselves the disposition of their resources, their
fate and their future -- and establish their own control over their own
economy; if the Iraqi workers are not free to set up the organisations of
their own choosing.
- Whereas, we share the views expressed by the ILO's Workers Group that,
"The rehabilitation exercise and support must be provided for all
the people of Iraq, especially the poor, the disabled, and vulnerable
groups. The Group calls for the immediate resumption of work for all Iraqi
workers, with due protection for their wages. It also demands that the oil
resources of Iraq be used solely by the people of Iraq and exclusively for
their benefit.
"In the new Iraq, there must be, consistent with ILO standards, full
freedom of association, guaranteeing the Iraqi workers the right to
organise and to bargain collectively; there must be democracy with full
civil liberties, permitting trade unions to choose their own leadership
independently and without interference; there must be the right to
self-determination by the Iraqi people."
We, the undersigned duly elected representatives acting on behalf of
the Unemployed in Iraq (UUI) and of the Federation of Workers Councils and
Trade Unions in Iraq (FWCUI) affiliating 300 000 Iraqi workers, hereby
lodge a complaint to the International Labour Organisation's Trade Union
Freedom Committee requesting that the ILO use all its authority and its
prerogatives so as to ensure that ILO Convention 87 and Convention 98 are
fully enforced in Iraq and subsequently that full recognition be granted
to the trade union organisations that were set up by the Iraqi workers
themselves.
Baghdad - May 15, 2004
Signed : Falah Alwan Hussain President, Federation of Workers'
Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI)
Qasim Hadi General Secretary, Union of the Unemployed in Iraq (UUI)
Our union supports the Complaint to the ILO Trade Union Freedom
Committee
lodged by the Union of the Unemployed in Iraq (UUI) and the Federation of
Workers' Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI
NAME OF UNION
NAME OF UNION CONTACT PERSON
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
ZIP
COUNTRY
For more information about the International Campaign Against the
Occupation and For Labor Rights in Iraq, please contact:
- US Labor Against the War, www.uslaboragainstwar.org
- International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions, 213 Bagdad
Street PO Box 3225, Damascus (Syria). Tel. : (963 11) 445 95 44 - Fax :
(963 11) 442 03 23. icatu@net.sy
International Liaison Committee of Workers and Peoples, eit.ilc@oleane.fr
website, http://www.owcinfo.org