USLAW and the PSC

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PEACE AND JUSTICE:
U.S. LABOR AGAINST THE WAR

In the months preceding the invasion of Iraq, hundreds of local, state and national unions, central labor councils and other labor organizations took official positions opposing war on Iraq. This led to the founding, on January 11 in Chicago, of U.S. Labor Against War (USLAW). By the time the invasion of Iraq was actually launched on March 20, labor organizations representing almost one-third of all organized workers in the U.S. were on record opposed to the war. This laid a foundation for the unprecedented decision of the AFL-CIO to break with the Bush administration’s policies in Iraq.

USLAW is a network of unions and other labor organizations opposed to U.S. policy in Iraq and to the misplaced priorities of the U.S. government that have resulted in a bloated and growing military budget paid for with severe cuts in domestic social programs. USLAW organizes labor movement resistance to the Bush administration’s ‘War on Workers’ – the assault on labor and human rights, on unions, social programs, immigrants, and the very idea of a public sector. USLAW opposes the so-called ‘Patriot’ Act and other administration initiatives that constitute a direct assault on cherished Constitutional liberties.

After a month of discussion in the chapters, the PSC Delegate Assembly at its February 27,2003 meeting overwhelmingly endorsed the USLAW founding statement. On June 19, 2003, the Delegate Assembly voted to join USLAW and send a delegation to the October 2003 founding convention. Both resolutions are reproduced below.

U.S. Labor Against the War has a comprehensive website that explains its position and provides a wealth of resources, information and links. The website can be found at

http://www.uslaboragainstwar.org/.

PSC DELEGATE ASSEMBLY
June 19, 2003

Resolution to Join U.S. Labor Against the War

Resolved, that PSC/CUNY join US Labor Against the War; and be it further

Resolved, that PSC send a delegation to the October 2003 founding convention of the US Labor Against the War; and be it further

Resolved, that PSC create a special DA committee to work on anti-war issues that will exist for one year to be reviewed thereafter

‘We Establish U.S. Labor Against the War’

After a month of discussion in the chapters, the PSC-DA overwhelmingly endorsed the following resolution at its February 27, 2003 meeting.

USLAW Resolution

Whereas over 100 trade unionists from 76 local, regional and national unions, central labor councils and other labor organizations representing over 2 million members gathered in Chicago for an unprecedented meeting to discuss our concerns about the Bush administration’s threat of war; and

Whereas union members and leaders have the responsibility to inform all working people about issues that affect their lives, jobs and families, and to be 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 harm’s way, and innocent Iraqi civilians 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 our 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 on Sept. 11, and neither the Bush administration nor the UN inspections have demonstrated that Iraq poses a real threat to Americans; and

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

Whereas labor has had an historic role in fighting for justice; therefore

We hereby establish the “U.S. Labor Against the War’ (USLAW)”; and

Resolve that U.S. Labor Against the War stands firmly against Bush’s war drive; and

Further resolve that U.S. Labor Against the War will publicize this statement, and promote union, labor and community antiwar activity.