Why NYC Labor Against the War Says: End the Occupation of Iraq! Bring the Troops Home Now!

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Why NYC Labor Against the War Says:
End the Occupation of Iraq! Bring the Troops Home Now!

Who Pays For Bush’s War?

*G.I.s.  Almost 600 dead, thousands wounded – mostly workers and people of color from our communities.  Billions squandered every week for another Vietnam war.  And no end in sight.

*Iraqis.  Up to 8,000 dead, 20,000 wounded; a despised U.S. occupation so that union busting companies like Halliburton, Bechtel and Verizon get multi billion dollar contracts to plunder Iraq.

*Workers at Home. These very same corporate thieves get huge tax cuts –  while slashing our wages, jobs, schools, housing, transit and health care, while trampling on the right to strike, civil liberties and immigrants.

What Can We Do?

Millions of workers around the world – including labor bodies that represent one third of union members in the U.S. – have opposed Bush’s war for oil and empire. Iraqis demand an immediate end to U.S. occupation. Our friends and family in the military want to come home –  now.  It’s up to NYC to:

*Educate.  Organize an informational meeting in your union or community.

*Take a Stand.   Join the 1,500 trade union endorsers of New York City Labor Against the War (see other side).  Organize a NYCLAW committee in your union.  Propose a resolution to support U.S. Labor Against the War.

NYCLAW Meetings Please join us at NYCLAW meetings, the first Monday of each month, 6:30 p.m., at AFSCME DC 1707, 75 Varick St., 14 Floor (1/2/A/C/E to Canal St.).

Contact NYCLAW

For more information, contact:  New York City Labor Against the War (NYCLAW), PO Box 233, Prince St. Station, New York, NY 10012 3900, nyclaw@comcast.net, 917.282.0139.

[Union Labor Donated-2.27.04]

March 20 NYC Unity Statement

On February 5, the U.S. antiwar movement took an important step forward when the March 20 National Coalition and the March 20 Mobilizing Committee agreed to hold a unified demonstration in New York City. As part of this agreement, more than 20 organizations present from both coalitions (including New York City Labor Against the War) unanimously decided that:

(1) By February 6, the two coalitions would issue the joint statement below.

(2) Organizations and coalitions will also have the right to produce their own materials for the demonstration.

(3) The two coalitions will share equally in decisions, permits, responsibilities and rally time.

(4) Participating organizations and coalitions pledge to express their points of view in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

These and other decisions will be formally summarized in a subsequent statement.

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STATEMENT FROM FEBRUARY 6 MEETING BETWEEN MARCH 20 NATIONAL COALITION & MARCH 20 MOBILIZING COMMITTEE

On March 20th, the one year anniversary of the U.S. war against Iraq, a Global Day of Action will bring hundreds of thousands of people into the streets in cities around the world. In New York City the March 20th Mobilizing Committee and the March 20th National Coalition are organizing a unified demonstration opposing the criminal and empire-building policies of the Bush administration and their impact abroad and at home. We will march for an end to the occupation and corporate control of Iraq and to bring the troops home now. We will march for an end to the occupation of Palestine. We will march to fund human needs, restore cuts in social programs and against the ever-expanding attacks on all immigrants, labor rights and everyone’s civil liberties – and we will stand united against racism here and abroad. We represent diverse communities and organizations opposed to the Bush Administration policies for many reasons, but on March 20th we will march together. By working together our two coalitions are confident we will mobilize a massive turnout on March 20th and send a strong, clear message.

The Fight for Labor Rights From Iraq to the U.S.

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End the War In Iraq — End the War at Home
The Fight for Labor Rights From Iraq to the U.S.

Under U.S. war and occupation, Iraq is being looted by Bechtel and Haliburton — the same kinds of union-busting corporations that attack workers here at home.

As a result, Iraqi workers face mass unemployment, low pay, arrest, and the use of Saddam-era laws to suppress the right to organize and strike. Iraqi industries are being privatized and sold to American companies.

Working people in the U.S. are paying for all this with the lives of our loved ones and with the waste of $150 billion of our tax money that is badly-needed for human services.

Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, 6 p.m.
1199SEIU, 310 W. 43 Street (8/9 Aves.)

Come hear eyewitness reports from:

Clarence Thomas (Executive Board, ILWU Local 10) and David Bacon (labor journalist and Newspaper Guild member) about their recent visit with Iraqi trade unionists who are fighting back.

Michael McPhearson, former Army officer and Gulf War veteran, about his recent visit with military families to find the truth for themselves.

Sponsored by (list in formation): 1199ers for Peace and Justice, AFSCME Local 2627, Center for Study of Working Class Life, Cornell-ILR’s Union Leadership Program, CWA Local 1180, Labor Notes, National Writers Union (UAW Local 1981), New Jersey Labor Against the War, New York City Labor Against the War (NYCLAW), Organization of Staff Analysts, PSC-CUNY/AFT Local 2334, Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York, Queens College-CUNY Labor Resource Center, Teachers For a Just Contract (UFT), U.S. Labor Against the War, Veterans For Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against the War

Info: nyclaw@comcast.net, 917.282.0139

Union labor donated: January 25, 2004