IRAQI UNION LEADERS COMING TO SANTA CRUZ

As part of a national tour sponsored by US Labor Against War, two leading trade unionists from Iraq will be coming to Santa Cruz, a unique opportunity for us to hear directly from workers who are struggling for an end to the U.S. occupation, sectarian violence, repression of labor rights, and privatization of natural resources.

Doors open at 7:00. Sliding scale donation requested—no one turned away.

Hashmeya Muhsin Hussein is President of the Electrical Utility Workers Union, Basra, an affiliate of the Iraq Federation of Trade Unions. She is the first woman to head a national Iraqi labor union.

Faleh Abood Umara is General Secretary of the Southern Oil Company Union, Iraq Federation of Oil Workers, which is opposing the new law being proposed to open up the oil industry to majority foreign control.

Find out...
• What are conditions for working people in Iraq
• How the occupation has affected families and children
• Why unions oppose the proposed oil investment law
• What will happen if the occupation continues
• What will happen if it ends rapidly
• What Iraqi working people want to happen
• Whether a peaceful, stable, non-sectarian Iraq is possible

Initial Cosponsors: Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, Central Coast Workers Against War, UPTE CWA-9119, UC-AFT 2199, Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers-AFT 1936, Resource Center for Nonviolence, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Santa Cruz Peace Coalition, Families Against War

Endorsers: Santa Cruz Green Party

There will also be a dinner sponsored by the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council at 5:00 pm at the SEIU 521 office at 517B Mission in Santa Cruz. Seating is limited. No tickets are required, but attendees will be asked to contribute to a potluck—there are dietary restrictions.

For the dinner RSVP by June 4 to Casey at caseyrose1@sbcglobal.net

Please help to publicize this event to your friends and coworkers and in your union local or other organizations. We are seeking additional cosponsors and endorsers, financial contributions, and volunteers to help with the dinner and Vets Hall event.

Contact Robert Weil: rwaft@aol.com (831)684-1310