Ban on Iraqi Unions Protested

Under overcast skies Thursday afternoon, dozens of activists chanted "Iraqi unions under attack; what do we do, stand up, fight back!" and "Hands off Iraqi oil" outside the Iraqi Embassy in northwest Washington.  The rally was a response to a ban on unions by the Iraqi Oil Minister, who issued a directive in mid-July based on a Saddam Hussein-era law that banned workers' right to organize. "We are here today to give help to Iraqi workers, particularly our brothers and sisters in the Iraqi oil union," said AFL-CIO International Department Director Barbara Shailor. "Critical to Iraqi workers is the fundamental right to organize. Iraqi workers cannot bargain and face constant harassment for their union efforts," Shailor added. Noting that Thursday's rally was held in solidarity with an Iraqi action in Basra, US Labor Against the War representative Denice Lombard said "this action will give great sustenance and support to Iraqi workers." In June, Iraqi oil workers tried to negotiate better wages and working conditions with the Iraqi government but the government "refused to negotiate and issued arrest warrants for oil worker leaders after major protests against the proposed oil law," said Shawna Bader of the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center. The rally concluded with chants of "we'll be back" and the delivery of a letter from AFL-CIO President John Sweeney to Iraqi Embassy representatives.
-Report/photos by Andy Richards