US LABOR
AGAINST THE
WAR (USLAW)
RESOLUTION

Whereas over 100 trade unionists from 76 local, regional and national 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 administration’s 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 harm’s 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.

Support the Troops
Question the War

ARCHIVED ON THIS PAGE:
• Historic Global Labor Press Conference
• UE Members Join World Day of Demonstrations
• UE Locals Urged to Adopt USLAW Resolution

• Back to current page on the war

Global Labor Movement Says
"No to War!" in Historic 
Worldwide Press Conference

For the first time in history, labor movements in countries around the world have come together to speak with one voice on a single issue of urgent international concern, issuing a resounding "No!" to war in Iraq. 

More than 200 unions and 550 union leaders from 53 countries representing 130 million workers have signed an "International Labor Declaration Opposing War Against Iraq" circulated by the recently-formed, U.S.-based Labor Against the War (USLAW) — a response that exceeded all expectations.

USLAW began circulating the Declaration only ten days before convening an unprecedented global telephone press conference to brief the media about the Declaration and its signatories. The press conference, held Wednesday, February 19th, was broadcast live on the World Wide Web.

Participating in that call included representatives of major labor federations and unions in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Quebec, France, England, Tunisia, Pakistan, Brazil, Australia, and Italy. Messages were also read from unions in Japan and South Korea.

USLAW is planning to make a recording of the press conference available on its website.

• Full details: USLAW Website

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UE Members Among 500,000
Demonstrators in New York
As the World Says No to War

The world turned out to say "No to War on Iraq" during the weekend of February 15th and 16th. Between 1 and 2 million people demonstrated in Rome, Barcelona and Madrid even as hundreds of thousands turned out in at least 600 more cities across the United States and around the World. UE members joined more than 500,000 people who took to the streets in New York city.

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UE Local Unions Asked
to Adopt the US Labor
Against the War Resolution

Jump to: Letter sent to UE Locals

In a January 22nd mailing to UE Districts, Local Presidents and staff, UE locals were urged to join a large and growing number of U.S. unions in actively opposing the looming war with Iraq.

The letter from UE General-Secretary Bruce Klipple follows action taken by the Union's General Executive Board to endorse a national statement issued by the recently-formed "U.S. Labor Against the War" (USLAW) coalition (see column at left). UE Convention delegates spoke out against the war in September (see the UE Policy "Oppose U.S. Invasion of Iraq"), a position UE's national officers renewed in December (see: "UE Says 'No to War!'" [UE News Update]).

The Bush Administration, Klipple wrote, "has chosen a deliberate course towards war in the Middle East rather than confront the crises working Americans face every day ... . Working people are fully aware that the war against Iraq is a thinly-disguised attempt to grab control of ... the second largest [oil] reserve on earth (complete text appears below).

Meanwhile, USLAW has established a website to publicize, in one location, the actions being taken by U.S. unions to oppose the war.

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LETTER SENT TO UE DISTRICTS, LOCAL PRESIDENTS AND STAFF

As you are all aware, the Bush Administration has been stepping-up preparations for full-scale war against the isolated Iraq regime. The drive to war ignores both the lack of any credible evidence that Iraq presents a threat and the deepening economic recession. The White House has chosen a deliberate course towards war in the Middle East rather than confront the crises working Americans face every day, among them the escalating trade deficit and related wave of plant closings, and our collapsing health care "system."

Working people are fully aware that the war against Iraq is but a thinly-disguised attempt to grab control of Iraq's oil supply, the second largest reserve on earth.

Our union is on record in opposition to this reckless and destructive course of action. We are one of the first national unions in the country to do so. The 67th UE National Convention spoke out against the looming war in September, 2002. The UE Officers renewed our opposition to this predatory war last December. And at the recent General Executive Board (GEB) meeting on January 17, our union officially endorsed the national statement issued by "U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW)," the newly-formed labor union coalition against the war (at left)). Our union played a key role in the formation of USLAW, and was represented at the Chicago meeting where the statement was adopted.

Time is short, but there are several things that I would ask you to do to play your part in the struggle to maintain the peace.

1. I urge your UE District or Local to adopt the enclosed USLAW statement, in line with the GEB action. Once you have done so, please inform the UE Washington Office by calling either (703) 684-3123 or by email.

2. I also urge you to participate in the national demonstration against the war to be held in New York City on February 15. UE will participate as part of the national USLAW delegation. For more information please visit the web site of United for Peace at www.unitedforpeace.org. The national union will make every effort to inform those coming to New York City of exactly where the UE and USLAW delegations will gather; that information is as yet unavailable. Also, as you decide to attend the February 15 event, please notify the UE Washington Office at (703) 684-3123 or by email.

Thanks very much for your prompt attention to this critical issue of national importance.

Bruce Klipple,
General Secretary-Treasurer

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(sources:
USLAW and UE)