WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?

[Pocho]

So go the words of the old union organizing song sung by those who used "Solidarity Forever" as their slogan. And now those who yet carry the workers' struggle in their hearts get to choose again. Are you with your union brothers and sisters,

or do you support your troops?

U.S. Arrests Iraqi Union Leaders

News Feature, David Bacon,
Pacific News Service, Dec 10, 2003

SAN FRANCISCO--U.S. occupation forces in Iraq escalated their efforts to paralyze Iraq's new labor unions with a series of arrests this weekend.

On Dec. 6, according to a union spokesperson interviewed by phone, a convoy of 10 Humvees and personnel carriers descended on the old headquarters building of the Transport and Communications Workers union, in Baghdad's central bus station, which has been used since June as the office of the Iraqi Workers Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU). Twenty soldiers jumped out, stormed into the building, put handcuffs on eight members of the Federation's executive board, and took them into detention.

"They gave no reason at all, despite being asked over and over," says IFTU spokesperson Abdullah Muhsin. Soldiers painted over the name of the federation on the front of the building with black paint, Muhsin says. The union had few resources, "but we did have a few files, and they took those," Muhsin adds.


More at link

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. So we are liberating Iraq by union busting?

A taste of things to come in this country? Not to mention, a legacy that dates back to the days of Ronald Reagan and the air traffic controllers.

[Pocho]

4. THE US MILITARY

has a long history of union busting.

[Racenut20]

2. Probably paint them as communists or terrast supporters

[ozymandius]

3. One issue to ponder...

Is Bechtel unionized? What about other major defense contractors?

[htuttle]

5. I posted this article on my door at work yesterday

Just in case anyone there was unclear about which side they were on.

A couple of people were surprised.