Learn how Iraqi labor unions are trying to re-build Iraq

Meet Iraqi Labor Leaders 

Remember this past Spring, when IVAW members Aaron Hughes and T.J. Buonomo went to Iraq for the First International Iraq Labor Conference? There they met with union leaders representing all sectors of the economy from across Iraq. Well, this month, IVAW is excited to host five of those same leaders in an East Coast tour as they head to the AFL-CIO National Convention in Pittsburgh. We kick off this tour today in Washington, D.C., then on to New York City, and Philadelphia.

Five Iraqi Labor Federation leaders representing the largest unions in Iraq are here to make their case for expanded labor rights in their country to U.S. labor leaders, war veterans, and any one else who will listen. During their visit, they will also collect signatures on a petition to Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, calling on her to press the Iraqi government to legalize unions and protect the rights of Iraqi workers.

Sign the petition here and circulate it to your friends, family members, and union colleagues.

If you live in the Washington, DC, NYC, or Philly metro areas, don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear directly from Iraqi union leaders about conditions for average working people under U.S. occupation.

Iraqi Labor Tour Schedule

• Tuesday, September 8 (TODAY), 7:00-9:00 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I Street, SE, Washington, D.C.
• Thursday, September 17, 7:00-9:00 PM at SEIU 1199 United Healthcare Workers East, 310 W. 43rd St., New York, NY
• Friday, September 18, Noon-2:00 PM at SEIU 1199 United Healtchare Workers East, 310 W. 43rd St., New York, NY
• Monday, September 21, 7:00-9:00 PM at Friends Meeting House, 4th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA

Background:

Since the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, Saddam Hussein’s 1987 law banning labor unions has remained in effect. Iraqi labor unions have been organizing without the protection of a basic labor law, even though Iraq’s constitution requires one and Iraq is a signatory to the International Labor Organization Convention on the right to organize and bargain. Since the U.S. occupation, Iraqi union leaders have faced severe repression including having their bank accounts frozen, harrassment, beatings, detention, torture, and even assassination. Yet, they continue to organize, despite these obstacles.

In fact, unions have played a critical role in resisting the privatization of their economy, which is one of the unstated goals of the continuing U.S. occupation. Iraqi unions are particularly concerned with passage of an oil law that would give away profits to foreign companies, instead of reinvesting that wealth in the infrastructure of Iraq. (Click here for an in-depth article on the history of Iraqi unions and Iraqi oil.)

Unions play an important role in re-builing Iraq’s economy and promoting civil society. There is no country in the world that claims to be a democracy that doesn’t have a free labor movement. And Iraq should be no different. A free labor movement can play an important role in the political life of Iraq, but currently they are shut out. Iraq Veterans Against the War is committed to supporting everyday Iraqis in rebuilding their society and the right to organize in a union is fundamental to that.

Attend one of the events, Sign the petition, and make a donation today.

Thank you for taking action in solidarity with Iraqi workers,

Iraq Veterans Against the War  (www.ivaw.org)