ILWU: Solidarität mit der Hafenarbeitergewerkschaft

Die Hafenarbeitergewerkschaft von Khour Al-Zubeir hatte im letzten Jahr die Privatisierung des Hafens erfolgreich verhindert: der bereits unterzeichnete Vertrag mit der multinationalen See-Transportfirma Maersk (unrühmlich bekannt etwa aus El Salvador) musste aufgegeben werden. Jetzt bekommt die Gewerkschaft die Quittung der "demokratischen" Hafenbehörde: ihre Büros auf dem Werksgelände wurden geschlossen, den Komitees die Arbeit im Betrieb verboten und den freigestellten Funktionären die Gehälter nicht ausbezahlt. Auf dem Gewerkschaftskongress 2006 der ILWU - Hafenarbeitergewerkschaft der US-Westküste - wurde dazu ein Solidaritätsappell verabschiedet, der den Kampf irakischer Gewerkschaften gegen die "Privatisierungspolitik der Besatzungsmacht" unterstützt und die weitere Gültigkeit Saddamscher Gewerkschaftsgesetze kritisiert. Der (englische) Aufruf "IN SOLIDARITY WITH IRAQI LONGSHORE WORKERS" der ILWU vom 12. Juni 2006.

RESOLUTION IN SOLIDARITY WITH IRAQI LONGSHORE WORKERS

International Longshore and Warehouse Union, June 12th, 2006

Whereas: the Port Workers' Union at Khour Al-Zubeir Port in Iraq has been attacked by the Iraqi port authority, which has closed its offices and committees, refused to pay the salaries of the union's board members, transferred board members to worksites hundreds of kilometers from their homes, intimidated members of their families, and issued an order for their arrest,

and Whereas: the Port Workers Union at Khour Al-Zubeir Port in 2005 launched a militant struggle to force the Maersk Company to give up its illegal concession to operate the port, granted by the occupation authorities, and successfully overturned the privatization of that port,

and Whereas: the port and oil workers unions in Iraq have similarly overturned the privatization of the Um Qasr port, and prevented the privatization of the Iraqi oil industry,

and Whereas: to keep unions from opposing the economic policies of the occupation, which include massive privatization schemes, the US occupation authorities continued to enforce Law 150, passed by Saddam Hussein in 1987, which forbids collective bargaining in the public sector, and following the recent elections, the new Iraqi government, the Iraqi port authority, and other agencies have also continued to enforce this law, violating all international labor rights and standards,

and Whereas: the ILWU has supported the growing Iraqi labor movement, welcoming leaders of the oil workers union during their tour of the West Coast, publishing articles in the Dispatcher and hosting exhibits educating our members about the problems faced by these courageous trade unionists, and joined Iraqi unions in opposing privatization and calling for an end to the US occupation of their country,

Therefore be it resolved:

that the ILWU calls on the Iraqi government, Transport Minister Mr. Salam Al-Maleky, and the Iraqi Port Authority to immediately stop their attacks on the Port Workers' Union at Khour Al-Zubeir Port, to rescind Law 150 and all other laws which interfere in the free exercise of all internationally-accepted labor rights, and to abandon their plans for the privatization of ports, factories, natural resources and other property of the Iraqi people,

and Be it further resolved: that the ILWU calls on the US State and Defense Departments to stop their support for the privatization of Iraq's economy, and for attacks on Iraqi unions,

and Be it further resolved: that the ILWU will establish a direct relationship with Iraqi port workers and their unions, so that ILWU members can learn quickly about their situation, support their efforts to organize their unions, and take effective action on their behalf when necessary,

and Be it finally resolved: that the ILWU will communicate with other longshore unions around the world to make them aware of the attacks on Iraqi unions, and help ensure that there is an effective international effort to protect them.

Adopted at the ILWU 2006 Convention