[Peace-discuss] Fwd: US Labor Against the War coalition founded in Chicago

[Peter Miller]

Here's a report on the labor against war meeting in Chicago on Saturday.
-Peter

>Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 13:40:03 -0800
>To: peterm at shout.net
>From: OWC <ilcinfo at earthlink.net>
>Subject:  US Labor Against the War coalition founded in Chicago
>
>-------------------
>
>Trade Unionists Launch "U.S. Labor Against the War"
>
>By BILL ONASCH
>
>More than a hundred trade union leaders and activists gathered at the 
>Teamsters Local 705 hall in Chicago January 11 to discuss labor's response 
>to the imminent danger of war on Iraq. At the end of the day they launched 
>a new organization to mobilize antiwar sentiment within the union movement 
>-- U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW).
>
>Teamsters Local 705, the second largest Teamsters Local in the country, 
>offered to host the gathering shortly after their members overwhelmingly 
>passed an antiwar resolution at a well-attended (over 400) meeting. Two 
>veteran organizers, Gene Bruskin and Bob Muehlenkamp, did a good job of 
>assembling this impressive gathering on short notice. The initial 
>invitation letter was signed by:
>
>Alan Benchich, President, UAW 909
>Jerry Brown, President, 1199NE/SEIU, Hartford
>Bill Hennings, VP, CWA Local 1180, NYC
>Bruce J. Kipple, General Sec.-Treas., UE
>Richard Mead, President, ILWU Local 10
>Bob Muehlenkamp, President, Duluth CLC,
>Alan Netland, President AFSCME Local 96
>Sal Roselli, President, L. 250/SEIU, Oakland
>Brenda Stokely, President, AFSCME Council 1707, Co-chair, NYCLAW
>Gerry Zero, Sec-Tr., IBT L. 705, Chicago
>
>After hearing presentations from David Cortright, Fourth Freedom Forum, 
>and Bill Fletcher, director of TransAfrica and a former special assistant 
>to AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, the delegates went on to a vigorous 
>debate over a resolution to establish basic principles. The most 
>contentious issue was that of the United Nations. A few wanted to denounce 
>the UN as a tool of the U.S. while a few others wanted to praise the UN 
>for preventing war on Iraq to this point. In the end the delegates decided 
>we could live without saying anything about the UN. The final language of 
>the resolution is reproduced below.
>
>The gathering had a practical discussion of how to take our positions into 
>the rest of the labor movement. The first priority is to get as many union 
>bodies as possible in the next few weeks to adopt resolutions and 
>contribute money to the new organization. A continuations committee, made 
>up of representatives selected by unions with sizeable delegations, was 
>established to set up structures to carry on USLAW's work.
>
>In the Kansas City area there will be a meeting to discuss building USLAW 
>Saturday, January 18, 1PM at 2113 Erie in North Kansas City. For more 
>information call 816-753-1672 or 816-221-3638 or send an e- mail to 
>laboradvocate at k...
>
>*****
>
>We Establish U.S. Labor Against the War
>
>WHEREAS, over 100 trade unionists from unions, Central Labor Councils and 
>other labor organizations representing over 2 million members gathered in 
>Chicago for an unprecedented meeting to discuss our concerns about the 
>Bush administrations threat of war; and
>
>WHEREAS, union members and leaders have the responsibility to inform all 
>working people about issues that affect their lives, jobs and families, 
>and to be heard in the national debate on these issues; and
>
>WHEREAS, the principal victims of any military action in Iraq will be the 
>Sons and daughters of working class families serving in the military who 
>will be put in harms way, and innocent Iraqi civilians who have already 
>suffered so much; and
>
>Whereas, we have no quarrel with the ordinary working class men, women and 
>children of Iraq, or any other country; and
>
>Whereas, the billions of dollars spent to stage and execute this war are 
>being taken away from our schools, hospitals, housing and Social Security; and
>
>Whereas, the war is a pretext for attacks on labor, civil, immigrant and 
>human rights at home; and
>
>Whereas, Bush's drive for war serves as a cover and distraction for the 
>sinking economy, corporate corruption and layoffs; and
>
>Whereas, such military action is predicted actually to increase the 
>likelihood of retaliatory terrorist acts; and
>
>Whereas, there is no convincing link between Iraq and Al Qaeda or the 
>attacks on Sept. 11, and neither the Bush administration nor the UN 
>inspections have demonstrated that Iraq poses a real threat to Americans; and
>
>Whereas, U.S. military action against Iraq threatens the peaceful 
>resolution of disputes among states, jeopardizing the safety and security 
>of the entire world, including Americans; and
>
>Whereas, labor has had an historic role in fighting for justice; therefore
>
>We hereby establish the "U.S. Labor Against the War' (USLAW); and
>
>Resolve that U.S. Labor Against the War stands firmly against Bush's war 
>drive; and
>
>Further resolve that U.S. Labor Against the War will publicize this 
>statement, and promote union, labor and community antiwar activity.
>
>(Adopted January 11, 2003 in Chicago, IL)
>
>
>
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