Open
World Conference of Workers
In Defense of Trade Union Independence & Democratic Rights
British Antiwar Statement:
Not In Our Name!
THE LINK
Open Forum of Labour Party Members and Trade Unionists To Reclaim the
Party
EDITORIAL BOARD: Stefan Cholewka, Sue Wilks, Richie Wanless, Zak
Newton, Keith Cross, Janet Shapiro, Ray Shapiro, Glenroy Watson
Press Release Thursday September 26, 2002
NOT IN OUR NAME!
As Labour Against the War and Labour CND supporters, THE LINK fully
supports the demonstration convened in London on September 28 as well as
similar events organised around the country.
At the recent Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Blackpool hundreds of
delegates, reflecting the mass anti-war sentiment that exists among the
British people and working class, protested loudly when Tony Blair called
on them to support the war against Iraq.
In 1991, the Gulf War killed 200,000 Iraqis. 12 years of genocidal
sanctions have been imposed, taking the lives of over 1.5 million Iraqi
civilians and children.
Now, Tony Blair is backing Bush and the U.S. administration, which have
been pressed for some time by the major multinational oil companies to
launch a new all-out military war against Iraq.
It is no accident that no sooner had Bush declared he would seek UN
backing before intervening that the market reacted with the price of oil
dropping abruptly.
What would a new war entail?
Blair, just like Bush, is not hiding that he wishes to use the cover of
domestic security to justify government intervention in the labour
movement.
In the event of an Anglo-American attack against Iraq, plans are being
drawn for a public-sector strike ban preventing for instance firefighters
from taking industrial action in support of their pay claim. The war which
is being prepared is also a war against public services in our country, a
war against the right to strike.
War is always used as a pretext for more exploitation, more flexibility,
more deregulation.
THE LINK supports the FBU and the firefighters. We support the right to
strike, this is why we oppose the war.
Taxpayers' money should go for jobs, heathcare, housing, schools -- not
for war.
A new war would signify in Britain as in every corner of the globe even
greater attacks on democratic rights and civil liberties, and even greater
threats against any and all unions that dare to stand up in defence of the
rights of their members.
THE LINK has received information from co-participants in the February
2002 International Conference Against Deregulation held in Berlin.
On September 9, in Lahore, Pakistan, thousands of workers demonstrated
behind the banners of the All Pakistan Trade Union Federation (APTUF).
In the USA, the San Francisco Labor Council and the Washington State
AFL-CIO have adopted resolutions linking their rejection of a new war
against Iraq with a steadfast determination to defend all the rights and
gains of the US working class.
Everywhere, trade unionists of all political persuasions and backgrounds,
as well as workers and youth, reject massively the threats of a new and
destructive war against Iraq.
When Blair supports Bush's new war he is not acting in our name, he is not
acting in the Party's name.
THE LINK SUPPORTS AND URGES PARTICIPATION IN THE 28th SEPTEMBER
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE WAR
Contact Address:
The LINK c/o STEFAN CHOLEWKA, 31 SPOTLAND ROAD, ROCHDALE, OL12 6PE PHONE -
FAX 01706-64-28-99 EMAIL : stefan@macunlimited.net