Open
World Conference of Workers
In Defense of Trade Union Independence & Democratic Rights
US Labor Opposition to the War
1) UTLA Motion
Against the War in Iraq Passed by the House of
Representatives, 2/29/2003
2) Three texts from Antiwar Movement in Chicago
3) Updated List of Unions Opposing the War
1) UTLA Motion
Against the War in Iraq Passed by the House of
Representatives, 2/29/2003
Moved, that United Teachers of Los Angeles (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.
Justification
The United States and Britain have been bombing Iraq on a virtually
continuous basis since the end of the Gulf War, and these bombings
and UN sanctions imposed on Iraq have resulted in the deaths of more
than 3/4 of a million innocent civilians. In seeking any pretext to
overthrow the government of a sovereign nation, in violation of
international law, the Bush administration is seeking to establish
world dominance, based on the politics of oil.
The Bush administration has presented no credible evidence that Iraq
has intentions of harming the citizens of this country or that Iraq
presents a threat to the United States. In fact, an attack of Iraq
will most likely increase the risk of terrorist attacks on the US and
its citizens.
A war with Iraq would require the re-direction of vital resources and
funds to a destructive, senseless, and illegal goal towards further
strengthening an administration that has restricted the civil
liberties of its citizens, through passage of the Patriot Act and the
Homeland Security Act. This administration is using the so-called war
on terrorism to distract the American people from the vital issues
they confront, translating into cutbacks of essential and
job-producing social programs at home such as education, health care,
social security and housing, as well as threatening the rights of
labor to strike and organize.
It is time for UTLA to join the ranks of a multitude of labor
organizations condemning the acts of this administration!
**********
2) Three texts from Antiwar Movement in Chicago
A. Report on Feb. 4 Chicago Federation of Labor discussion of the war
Several members of Chicago Labor Against War passed out a letter
introducing our group to delegates of the Chicago Federation of Labor
at its monthly meeting (see below). The letter included the U.S.
Labor Against War founding statement, and asked delegates to discuss
USLAW during the "good and welfare" portion of the CFL meeting
as
well as in their respective unions.
Earlier that day, CFL President Dennis Gannon had spoken with Steve
Edwards, president of AFSCME Local 2858, and invited Steve to present
the statement. Gerry Zero, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local
705, also spoke with Steve and said that Local 705's delegates would
speak in support. A number of other delegates had agreed to do
likewise.
At the appropriate point on the agenda, Steve came to the microphone
and spoke eloquently that a U.S. invasion of Iraq would be a rich
man's war and poor man's fight. Next, Mark Postillion, recording
secretary and business agent for Teamsters Local 705, reported that
the local passed an antiwar resolution in October and went on to
attack the false patriotism, and warmongers and oil profiteers that
this war will be fought for. Bill Davis, chief shop steward in IAM
Local 701 at UPS and a former national coordinator of Vietnam
Veterans Against the War, spoke as both a trade unionist and a
veteran about the unresolved issues of the Vietnam era, including
homeless veterans. Elena Marcheschi, a delegate from IATSE, spoke
about the antiwar resolution recently passed by the Chicago City
Council and read excerpts from testimony at the meeting, including
that from WWII veteran wounded in battle and Mayor Richard Daley.
You could look around the room and see people who were quite moved by
the speakers. When each person finished, a large majority applauded.
No one spoke in favor of the war, or against the USLAW statement.
Brother Gannon then said, in a friendly manner, that procedure
required that the CFL executive board endorse and pass any resolution
before it is presented to the body. The implication was that the
member unions should consider the USLAW resolution and then motivate
it for consideration by the CFL at the next meeting. At a different
point in the agenda, a woman representing the Coalition of Labor
Union Women announced that her chapter was organizing for February 15
demonstration.
Overall, the CFL meeting provided excellent opportunity to spread the
word about both USLAW and Chicago Labor Against War. The letter
advertised our next meeting as well as our activities for the
February 15 antiwar protests.
We hope that as many labor activists as possible can attend the next
Chicago Labor Against War meeting, Sat., Feb. 8, 12:30 pm, UNITE,
Ashland & Van Buren.
In solidarity, Joe Allen Shop steward, Teamsters Local 705
----------
B. Letter to delegates to the Chicago Federation of Labor from
Chicago Labor Against War
February 4, 2003
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are here to represent a newly formed organization, Chicago Labor
Against War, in support of U.S. Labor Against War, a national
organization founded in a conference at the Teamsters Local 705
auditorium on January 11. We are writing to help introduce the U.S.
Labor Against the War founding statement for discussion at tonight's
CFL meeting and in our respective unions.
Chicago Labor Against War began as an informal grouping of labor
activists who met in December to organize a meeting, "Labor Voices
and Veterans Speak Out on War," held January 10, also at the 705
auditorium. Featured speakers included Dan Lane, the former UPIU
activist and "road warrior" against the lockout by A.E. Staley;
Bill
Davis, an IAM Local 701 chief steward at UPS in Chicago and former
national coordinator of Vietnam Veterans Against the War; Loretta
Byrd, recording secretary, Teamsters Local 738, Chicago; and Brenda
Stokely, president, AFSCME District Council 1707 in New York City.
At a subsequent meeting at the UNITE hall on January 25, members of a
number of unions, including UNITE, USWA, Teamsters, AFSCME, IBEW, the
Chicago Teachers Union and others, formally launched Chicago Labor
Against War.
We believe that the U.S. Labor Against War statement, as a product of
debate and discussion of trade unionists across the U.S., reflects
the widespread and growing opposition to the U.S. government's war
preparations against Iraq. It is printed on the reverse side of this
letter.
We stand on the brink of a war that, if joined, will have
incalculable consequences for us, our children and our children's
children. We hope that you will join in a discussion of the U.S.
Labor Against the War statement and take it back to your respective
unions for consideration.
Currently, Chicago Labor Against War is organizing for the
International Day of Action against the war on Saturday, February 15.
We have endorsed a local demonstration for immigrant rights at 12
noon, 2200 W. Devon, in the heart of the Pakistani community. We have
also endorsed, and plan to send a delegation to, the national day of
protest called by United for Peace and Justice in New York City, also
on February 15.
The next meeting of Chicago Labor Against War is Saturday, February
8, at 12:30 pm at the UNITE hall, Ashland Ave. at Van Buren, Chicago.
For more information, please contact us at 312-264-2551 (voice or
fax) or by e-mail at chi_labor_antiwar@yahoo.com.
In solidarity, Chicago Labor Against War [See reverse side for U.S.
Labor Against the War founding statement].
----------
C. STOP THE ATTACKS ON IMMIGRANTS! / NO MORE WAR ABROAD!
12 Noon, Saturday, February 15 - Devon & Leavitt,
Chicago (2200 W. Devon)
Noon, Saturday, Feb 15
Devon & Leavitt (2200 W. Devon), Chicago
In the heart of Chicago's Pakistani Community
February 15th is an international day of protest against war on Iraq,
with protests planned in New York and all the major capitals of
Europe. It is also just 6 days before the registration deadline for
many Pakistanis in the United States, the same registrations which
led to the arrests of more than 1000 Iranians in Los Angeles a few
weeks ago.
The drive to war is being fueled by the scapegoating of innocent
Muslims, South Asians, Arabs and immigrants, fanning fears so that
citizens feel it is unnecessary for the United States to launch a new
war on Iraq. Please join a community march to say stop the attacks on
immigrants, repeal the registration act, and NO to war on Iraq!
* Pakistanis and Muslims: Stand up for your rights!
* All others: Stand in solidarity with your brothers and sisters, your
rights could be next!
12 noon - Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003
2200 W. Devon, Chicago
Devon & Leavitt in the heart of the Pakistani community.
Below is the current list of co-sponsoring organizations:
American Friends Service Committee
American Muslim Alliance-Midwest
Andersonville Neighbors for Peace
Anti-Racist Action
Arab American Action Network
Arab-American Community Center
Autonomous Zone
Blue Triangle Network
Campaign For Collateral Compassion
Chicago Anti-Bashing Network
Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism
Chicago Democratic Socialists of America Chicago Labor Against the War
Chicago Libertarians
Chicago Peace Response
Chicago Professional Taxi Cab Drivers Association
Chicago Quarterly Review
Community/Church & World Concerns
Broadway United Methodist
Church Coalition of Pakistani American Organizations
Committee For a Democratic Palestine
Committee of 100
Communist Party, USA - Illinois District Council on American Islamic
Relations
DePaul Students Against the War
DuPage Peace Through Justice Coalition
Eighth Day Center for Justice
Free Palestine Alliance
Freedom Road Socialist Organization
Freedom Socialist Party
Generation Y
Granada Muslims and Jews for Human Rights
Hyde Park Committee Against War &
Racism
International A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition-Chicago Chapter
International
Action Center-Chicago Chapter
International Socialist Organization
Iraq Peace Pledge
Islamic Association for Palestine
Jeevay Pakistan
La Voz de los de Abajo
MARC
Mohammadan Muthida Minority Movement
Muslim Civil Rights Center
The Muslim League USA
National Lawyers Guild-Chicago Chapter
Neighbors For Peace
New World Resource Center
News Pakistan
Northwest Suburban SUSTAIN
Not In My Name
Not In Our Name
Pakistan American Democratic Forum
Pakistan Memon Association
Pakistan Express
Pakistan Times
Pakistani American Association of North America Pakistani American
Congress
Pakistani American Democratic Forum
Pakistani Business Association
Palestine Solidarity Group
Queer to the Left
Queers For Peace And Justice
Ravenswood for Peace
Real Conditions Writers' Collective
Refuse & Resist!
Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade
Sangat-Chicago
Sargam Radio Channel 1240 AM
Socialist Action
Socialist Party USA
Southwest Youth Collaborative
Students For Social Justice
Unitarian Church of Evanston Peace & Justice Committee Weekly News
Pakistan
*********
3) Updated List of Unions Opposing the War
Census of Labor Organizations That Have Taken a Stand Against War in
Iraq
National Organizations
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
American Postal Workers Union
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
United Farmworkers of America
State Federations
Hawaii State Federation
Washington State Labor Council
Central Labor Bodies
Albany, New York, Central Labor Counci
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 Counci
San Mateo County Central Labor Council
Saratoga Labor Council
South Bay Labor Council
Troy CLC
Vancouver District Labor Council
Washington, DC CLC
District/Regional Organizations
1199/Service Empolyees 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
California Nurses' Association
International Association of Machinists (IAM) District Lodge 77
Retirees
New Mexico Carpenters
New York State Nurses' Association
SEIU Local 1199
SEIU 1199FL
SEIU 1199 NE
SEIU 1199 PASEIU 1199 NJ
SEIU 1199 NY
SEIU 1199 WI
SEIU Wisconsin District
Wisconsin Federation of Teachers
Working Families Party of NY
Local Organizations
AFSCME Local 215
AFSCME Local 304
AFSCME Local 324
AFSCME Local 371, DC 37
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 1789
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
Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 1180
CWA Local 9423
CWA Local 9415
Hotel and Restuarant Employees (HERE) Local 2
HERE Local 5
HERE Local 483
HERE Local 2850
IAM Local Lodge 459
International Longshore and Warehoues Union (ILWU) Local 10
ILWU Local 5
ILWU Local 6
Iron Workers Local 86
Millwrights' Local 2158
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
Service Employees International Union (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 Union (UAW) Local 600
UAW/AFGSE Local (UAW/AFGSE) Local 2865
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) 1776
UFCW 1105
United Brotherhood of Carpenters/New Mexico
Carpenters Local 713
United Healthcare Workers of Greater St. Louis
United Union Representatives of Los Angeles
United Teachers of Los Angeles
UPAT (Painters) Local 510 Sign & Display
Other Labor Organizations and Ad Hoc Committees
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 (NYCLAW)
NY City Labor Against War
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
Washington State Jobs With Justice
Workers for Peace