Iraqi Labour Rights Petition Now Online

The following is from US Labour Against the War and is directed at the US government, but the online petition it asks us to sign is open to all, regardless of nationality.

Almost immediately after the fall of the dictatorship, a vibrant, independent, democratic and pluralistic trade union movement sprang forth. Soon after the invasion in 2003, the U.S. tossed out most of the repressive Saddam-era legal code. But there was one law it kept on the books and enthusiastically enforced – the 1987 law that Saddam Hussein imposed making it illegal for public sector and enterprise employees to join unions or negotiate the terms of their employment. The subsequent Iraqi Interim Governing Authority continued to enforce this undemocratic denial of worker rights.

The new Iraqi government imposed additional restrictions on worker and union rights. It seized union bank accounts and froze their assets. U.S. and Iraqi forces have raided and ransacked union offices and assaulted and detained union leaders. Management of public enterprises, including the oil industry, was directed not to recognize or bargain with unions.

But the Iraqi labor movement continues to grow despite harassment, beatings, kidnappings, detention, torture and even murder of trade union activists.

Sign the petition HERE.

UnionBook Improved

UnionBook has just been upgraded to the latest version of Elgg.

Much-improved. New features and easier, more intuitive navigation.

If you haven't already, take a gander now by clicking HERE.

FSLN Victory in 1979

20450018, originally uploaded by dblackadder.

Today is the 30th anniversary of the victory of the FSLN (the Sandinistas) in Nicaragua.

Photo is of the FNT (FSLN-affiliated labour central) monument to the workers and peasants who fought with the FSLN against the Somoza dictatorship. Situated in the centre of Managua devastated (and never really rebuilt) by an earthquake in the early 1970's.

My Hero: Tamie Dolny

First she does a one-off piece for the Toronto Star on her experiences as a 16 year-old lifeguard on strike (see it HERE), now she has a job as a regular picket line columnist for the same paper (see HERE).

Read the second article especially.

Tamie for CLC president!

Organizing Video Going Viral in Canada?

By John Wood at the UK's TUC, it's bouncing all over the place, appearing even on the Toronto Star's website.

TUC 60 Second Video Advert Contest

South Africa: Shop stewards sacked for safety strike

At the Enstra paper mill in South Africa, 19 shop stewards were suspended from work and now await discipline. They are charged with inciting workers to strike after a worker refused to do unsafe work.

Just 30 seconds of your time and you can send a message or protest to the company HERE