UAW Region 9A Antiwar Resolution

ESTABLISHMENT OF U.S. LABOR AGAINST WAR

WHEREAS, over 100 trade unionists from 76 local and regional unions, central labor councils and other labor organizations including UAW Local Unions from Region 9A representing over 2 million members gathered in Chicago for an unprecedented meeting to discuss concerns about the Bush administration’s threat of war; and

WHEREAS, union members and leaders have a responsibility to inform all working people about issues that affect their lives, jobs and families, and to 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 citizens 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 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 of September 11, and neither the Bush administration nor the UN inspectors have demonstrated that Iraq poses a real threat to Americans: and

WHEREAS, U.S. military action against Iraq threatens peaceful resolution of disputes among states, jeopardizing the safety and security of the entire world, including Americans; and

WHEREAS, the labor organizations meeting in Chicago established “U.S. Labor Against the War” (USLAW) on January 11, 2003, to give voice and organization to their concerns; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, that UAW Region 9A CAP Council endorses and joins with USLAW in opposing war with Iraq.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that UAW Region 9A CAP Council stands firmly against Bush’s war drive, and

BE IT FURTHER REOLVED, that UAW Region 9A CAP Council will publicize and promote labor and community antiwar activities.

Adopted January 16, 2003 in New York City.