At their state convention on October 16, the Oregon AFL-CIO passed the
following resolution:

 RESOLUTION NO. 8

Submitted by CWA Local 7901

Referred to Resolutions Committee
SOLIDARITY WITH LABOR UNIONS OF IRAQ

WHEREAS , six labor union leaders representing the main labor unions of
Iraq toured the United States, including a visit by two of them to Oregon
sponsored by the Oregon AFL-CIO , in June, 2005; and

WHEREAS , in a joint declaration following the tour, these brothers
stated that "the principal obstacle to peace, stability, and the
reconstruction of Iraq is the ( U.S.) occupation. The occupation is the
problem, not the solution. The occupation is fuel on the fire of
terrorism. Iraqi sovereignty and independence must be restored. The
occupation must end in all its forms, including military bases and
economic domination;" and

WHEREAS , the Iraqi union leaders further wrote that "the national wealth
and resources of Iraq belong to the Iraqi people. We are united in our
opposition to the imposition of privatization of the Iraqi economy by the
occupation, the IMF, the World Bank, foreign powers and any force that
takes away the right of the Iraqi people to determine their own economic
future;" and

WHEREAS , they further wrote that "we call for the cancellation of the
Iraqi people's massive debt incurred under Saddam by the IMF and other
international lenders without any conditions imposed upon the people of
Iraq who suffered under the regime that was supported by these loans;"
and

WHEREAS , they further wrote that "we call for free and independent labor
unions in Iraq based on internationally recognized ILO (International
Labor Organization) conventions guaranteeing the right to organize free
of all government interference and including full equality for women
workers.We condemn the continued enforcement of Saddam's decree number
150 issued in 1987 that abolished union rights for workers in the
extensive Iraqi public sector" and

WHEREAS , they further wrote that "we commit ourselves to strengthening
the bonds of solidarity and friendship between working people of our two
countries and to increase communication between our two labor movements;"
and

WHEREAS , the national AFL-CIO, on July 26, 2005 in convention, voted for
a rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, cancellation of the Iraqi
people's massive debt incurred under Saddam, Iraqi union freedom and
solidarity between our labor movements; and

WHEREAS, the national AFL-CIO, on July 26, 2005 in convention, voted for
proper protective body gear and up-armored vehicles for U.S. troops in
Iraq; now therefore be it

RESOLVED that we support our troops in Iraq by supporting proper
protective body gear, and up-armored vehicles and that returning troops
return to their jobs with seniority and benefits intact and be provided
with adequate services and resources, including expanded veterans
benefits in the form of education and training assistance, health and
rehabilitation coverage and a housing program; and be it further

RESOLVED that, because there can be no more rapid return than now, the
Oregon National Guard be immediately returned to their homes and families
and that the health care benefits they received while serving their
country be continued upon their return home as long as they have no other
source of equally comprehensive health care benefits; and be it still
further

RESOLVED that the Oregon State AFL-CIO go on record in support of Iraqi
workers and their unions as they call for an end to the U.S. military and
economic occupation of Iraq, for opposition to privatization, for
cancellation of the Iraqi people's debt incurred under Saddam, for
freedom for Iraqi unions, and for increased solidarity between our two
labor movements; and be it finally

RESOLVED to forward this to the national AFL-CIO Executive Council for
consideration and concurrence.