Hillary's New War (0.00 / 0)

Do you think that Hillary's new war is the Iran war? 

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by: todaynownottomorrow @ Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 00:55:45 AM UTC

Well (4.00 / 1)

I'm as frightened as anyone about a war with Iran but I'm not sure I have a problem with unions divesting from companies that do business with oppressive states.

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by: Jack @ Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 01:26:30 AM UTC

Oppressive States? (0.00 / 0)

I have no love of Iran either, but what are they doing that are own country isn't? Think carefully before you answer.

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by: Kronos Blue @ Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 04:17:17 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes, you're right. The US is equivalent to Iran (4.00 / 3)

The Iranian head of state literally is an unelected cleric.  Religious dissidents have been exiled from the country.  Political parties have been banned from even standing for office. 

Just because the US does a bunch of nasty/hypocritical stuff does not automatically make it equivalent to one of the most oppressive states in the world.  And if you're just going to throw out a throwaway line like that, you need to actually put forth more evidence than "think carefully before you answer."  A war with Iran is stupid, would be disastrous for this country, for Iran, and for Middle East stability, but that is hardly an excuse to throw around statements like that.

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by: Valatan @ Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 16:16:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Imprisoning union leaders, kidnapping (0.00 / 0)

Granted, America's labor laws are nowhere close to evenhanded or fair when it comes to organizing workers or leveling the playing field between labor and capital, but at least (for now) our government is not throwing union leaders in jail for attending union meetings.

Two weeks ago Hoffa sent a letter seeking freedom for Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo. This letter was was hand-delivered at Iran's diplomatic mission by Teamsters' representatives.

Osanloo, president of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Company, is being held in Iran's notorious Evin prison after a gangster-style arrest on July 10. Witnesses say he was beaten severely. Osanloo has a chronic heart condition and a serious eye condition that requires immediate surgery. He has no access to medical or legal assistance and no contact with his family.

Salehi, founder of the Saghez Bakery Workers Association, has been condemned to a year's imprisonment. Labor and human rights advocates say the sentence stems from his courageous work to mobilize workers. Salehi was imprisoned without notice on April 9. He is being held in the Kurdistan capital of Sanandaj, far from his family. Salehi's life is reportedly in danger as a result of being denied the kidney dialysis treatment he desperately needs.

By virtue of its membership in the International Labor Organization (ILO), Iran is legally bound to respect the ILO core principles, including the principle of freedom of association. 

"We will continue to monitor the safety and medical care of Mr. Osanloo and Mr. Salehi, and work for their immediate release," said Hoffa.

-August 9, 2007

And then there is this from the previous month:

Osanloo has been arrested three times before for union activity. He was arrested in November. The next month, union supporters were arrested during a union meeting.

Iranian police later arrested hundreds more workers as they demonstrated in protest. In February 2006, Teamsters demonstrated in Washington to demand the release of the imprisoned Iranian bus drivers as part of a worldwide protest.

Some of the trade union prisoners were freed, following strikes and pressure from international worker and human rights organizations. Released workers reported they have been denied the right to return to their jobs, and more have been arrested.

Iran is a member of the International Labor Organization and therefore is legally obligated to comply with the principles of freedom of association. That includes the right to form and join unions, the right to bargain collectively and the right to strike.

and this from 2006:

Dozens of Teamsters participated in an International Day of Action at the Iranian Interest Section to demand the release of hundreds of imprisoned Iranian bus drivers. The drivers were arrested after police brutally cracked down on a planned January 28 strike.

"We call on the Iranian government to recognize the bus drivers' right to form a union," said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. "We demand that the Iranian government release imprisoned union members and return all fired drivers to work immediately and unconditionally."

And, according to the San Francisco Chronicle:

Iran's theocrats fear Hoffa because they worry about the close nexus between free labor unions and political freedom. Last year, two prominent Iranian labor leaders, Mahmoud Salehi and Jalal Hosseini, were tried and convicted of internal subversion in secret proceedings conducted by the Saqqez Revolutionary Court.

The mullahs accurately perceived labor organizing as the antechamber to revolt against despotism. That explains why labor rights are joined with democracy and human rights in the annual country reports issued by the State Department. Similarly, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stipulates: "Everyone has the right to form and to join labor unions for the protection of his own interests."

Be One in a Million Voices Calling for Passage of the Employee Free Choice Act

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by: TeamsterPower @ Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 19:33:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

They shd divest Saudi related too (0.00 / 0)

Saudis comprise 42% of foreign fighters in Iraq and Saudi Arabia fund Sunni insurgents.

Why only Iran?

Also Pakistan is not doing anything on Alqueda in their country and even have a truce with them?

So how about divesting that too?

Shd talk about proportionality.

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by: timber @ Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 01:44:49 AM UTC

Are Bolton, Kristol, and Rubin Teamsters? (4.00 / 2)

Without more, your suggestion that the Teamsters' action is really part of a "War on Iran" PR campaign is somewhat specious. 

What if Iranian labor leaders called for help from their American allies, or even suggested this strategy of divestment?

What about the fact that the Teamsters have had relations with the Iranian labor movement at least since 2005...
http://www.sfgate.co...

What's the angle, anyway?  Teamsters want more jobs delivering armament-parts?  Want to please the neoconservatives that they think will reward them when they continue in power in 2008?

Please, weave this fine web!

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by: elinw @ Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 02:24:27 AM UTC

Mansour Osanloo probably disagrees (4.00 / 2)

This omits a major part of the story - the Iranian government has been cracking down on the Tehran Bus Drivers Union, kidnapping and torturing its leader.  http://blog.aflcio.o... 

Take another read - this is a very welcome break from labor's  previous reactionary foreign policy stances.  Here, Teamsters are showing solidarity with their counterpart drivers in Iran.  I agree that the "Iran as security threat" rhetoric fits with someone else's agenda, but this is much more about standing up for their Tehran counterparts.

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by: Francisco Cendejas @ Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 03:02:59 AM UTC

are there other countries Hoffa has called for boycotts against? (0.00 / 0)

I really have no idea but would be very interested in whether the Teamsters have called for boycotts and divestment in other situations where labor unions are treated badly? or are these efforts only undertaken when they synchronize with the run up to the new improved next war?

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by: Siun @ Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 06:13:11 AM UTC

Yes, they have (4.00 / 2)

The Teamsters are a key member of the KillerCoke coalition protesting Columbian government support for death squads that have targeted Labor leaders in Columbia, specifically at Coca Cola bottling plants.

http://killercoke.or...

Plenty of info there.

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by: Jerry 101 @ Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 14:25:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

actually, while they are in the coalition and speak out ... (0.00 / 0)

they have not called for divestment and the teamster spokesperson responding to Matt's post says specifically that they have never before called for divestment.

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by: Siun @ Fri Aug 24, 2007 at 08:14:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Teamsters (4.00 / 1)

Speaking as a former Teamster, I have no problem with the divestment.  My only wish is that they divested from all foreign nations and focus on "made in the USA" companies.  The union needs to be true to its roots.

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by: Vox Populi @ Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 13:55:56 PM UTC

Thanks, Matt (0.00 / 0)

I was so worried that I wouldn't be told what to think.  I mean, anyone quoting the WSJ on issues related to workers must know more than I do.  And I so appreciate being told what to think here.

BTW, I read the letter, you took it out of context and glossed over the main reason for divesting, brutality against union organizers.  The bigger issue here is the one he addressed, solidarity; the issue you didn't even seem to understand.  He carried that theme throughout the letter. Kind of how Norway divests its pension funds on moral grounds. http://www.dailykos....

I'm proud of my old union for taking this stand.  I'd like to see more of this sort of thing, not less.

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by: bendygirl @ Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 20:29:51 PM UTC

rather foolish of you Matt (0.00 / 0)

to assert that the Teamsters actions are part of the neo-con ramp up to a war with Iran. Nothing I read in this entry supports your idiotic theory. Teamster Power, who wrote a detailed post above explaining the move, and others made good points refuting your accusation. It's ashame you don't have the courtesy or the courage of your conviction to respond to them.

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by: Henry @ Mon Aug 27, 2007 at 05:56:38 AM UTC