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Anti-War Activities Set for March 12;
Material on President's Commission Being Prepared for Locals
Burrus Update #3-03, March 4, 2003
Despite massive opposition at home and abroad, the Bush administration is threatening to launch a war on Iraq by the middle of March. A coalition of labor organizations, U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW), has called for a day of workplace-based anti-war activities on Wednesday, March 12. In addition, the coalition is organizing a labor contingent for a massive anti-war rally set for March 15 in Washington, DC. I encourage interested APWU members, locals and state organizations to participate in these activities whenever possible.
The APWU National Executive Board adopted a resolution at its Jan. 14 meeting opposing the pending war. "We abhor terrorism, and we endorse all action - diplomatic and military - to appropriately respond to acts of aggression," the board said. "However, pre-emptive attacks against sovereign states are not consistent with the principles of freedom and respect for all people."
At its Executive Council meeting Feb. 27, the AFL-CIO also passed a resolution opposing unilateral action by the U.S. in Iraq. "America's working families and their unions fully support the efforts to disarm the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein. This is best achieved in concert with a broad international coalition of allies and with the sanction of the United Nations," the resolution says.
"We call upon the administration to pursue a broad global consensus to apply the maximum pressure on Iraq, ensuring that war, if it comes, will truly be a last resort, supported by both our allies and nations united. And we call on Iraq to comply with the demands of the United Nations, the only course to avoiding the war no one desires."
The resolution notes, "Those who fight for the United States are, as they always have been, the men and women of America's working families. The AFL-CIO is proud to represent thousands now serving in our armed forces. The AFL-CIO reiterates its support for all working men and women in our armed forces and honors their courage."
Numerous APWU locals have passed anti-war resolutions, as have other national unions and central labor councils.
The USLAW web site (www.uslaboragainstwar.org) will have leaflets that you can download and print for distribution, along with stickers, bumper stickers, and other material. These materials can be customized
President's Commission
The union faces some of its most serious challenges in the months ahead: a Presidential Commission designed to overhaul the Postal Service, the threat of plant consolidations, and calls for postal reform legislation.
The APWU national office is preparing material for distribution to local and state presidents for use in forming coalitions and mobilizing our members for the struggle ahead. A packet of material will be mailed soon.
In addition, we are preparing rebuttal testimony for the commission that will challenge assertions we strenuously disagree with.
This is a crucial battle for postal workers and their families, and we will be calling on all APWU members to join the fight.
