[statecom-discuss] Fwd: [STWC-discuss] Vermont AFL-CIO Supports Political Strike Against the War May 1st

[gary hicks]

Dennis Prater <dennis.prater at gmail.com> wrote: Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:33:08 -0400
From: "Dennis Prater" <dennis.prater at gmail.com>
To: stwc-discuss at stopthewars.org
Subject: [STWC-discuss] Vermont AFL-CIO Supports Political Strike Against
 the War May 1st

 I'm glad Chris sent out something about this to the list.  Since I
haven't yet registered myself to log in to the private site the
message was sent through (I know I should), I'd say other people are
not accessing it either.  This news makes me happy, and I wanted to
make sure everyone had an easy chance to read it.  I think we should
definitely let ourselves be glad about this, but we also must soberly
analyze what its actual significance is.  The resolution leaves it
open as to what action workers should take on May 1st, but it opens a
space where things are more likely to happen.  Insofar as it is within
our power, we should, of course, work to make sure things do happen.
Also, does May 1st 2008 solidify the renewal of International Workers
Day in the US that the immigrants rights movement began on May 1st
2006?

-Dennis

VERMONT AFL-CIO CALLS ON WORKERS TO SUPPORT WEST COAST SRIKE AGAINST WAR   
by Vermont AFL-CIO
(No verified email address)  16 Apr 2008
The Executive Board of the Vermont AFL-CIO, representing thousands of
workers in countless sectors across Vermont, have unanimously passed
an historic resolution expressing their "unequivocal" support for the
first US labor strike against the war in Iraq.
Montpelier, VT –The Executive Board of the Vermont AFL-CIO,
representing thousands of workers in countless sectors across Vermont,
have unanimously passed an historic resolution expressing their
"unequivocal" support for the first US labor strike against the war in
Iraq. The strike, being organized by the Longshore Caucus of the
International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU), will seek to
shutdown all west coast ports for a period of 8 hours on the day of
May 1st 2008. The Vermont AFL-CIO is the first state labor federation
to publicly back the Longshoremen; other state federations are
expected to follow.

The resolution, among other things, calls the war in Iraq "immoral,
unwanted, and unnecessary", states that the vast majority of working
Vermonters oppose the war, and contends that the war will only be
brought to an end by "the direct actions of working people." Many
other Vermont labor unions and organizations, including the Vermont
Workers' Center, have also made official statements condemning the
war.

The resolution also calls on working Vermonters to "discuss the
actions of the Longshoremen, to wear anti-war buttons, and to take
various actions of their own design and choosing in their workplace on
May 1st, 2008."

"Workers in Vermont and all across this nation are against this war.
We have already demanded that the government end it, but they have
consistently failed to heed our words. Therefore working people are
beginning to take concrete steps to make our resistance known. If the
war does not immediately end we, the unions and working people of
Vermont, will also be compelled to take appropriate action," said
David Van Deusen, a District Vice President of the Vermont AFL-CIO.

Traven Leyshon, President of the Washington, Lamoille & Orange County
Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, said, "Vermont labor has long called
for an end to this war. The untold billions being spent on the war
could instead be used to address our domestic needs. It is working
people who pay the cost of the war - in some cases with our lives, but
always with our sacrifices."

***

Vermont AFL-CIO Resolution
In Solidarity With Longshoremen's
West Coast Strike Against War
April, 2008

Whereas the war in Iraq is immoral, unwanted, and unnecessary,

Whereas this unjust war is opposed by the great majority of Americans
& Vermonters, the bulk of organized labor, and by thousands of
enlisted military personal,

Whereas this unjust war has already resulted in over 4000 American
dead (including a disproportionate number of brave Vermonters), and
tens of thousands of service men & woman being wounded,

Whereas this unjust war has further resulted in untold number of Iraqi deaths,

Whereas the Federal Government has not made any constructive moves
towards the ending of this war and the full removal of US troops, and
instead has taken the course of escalation and indefinite occupation,

Whereas the government of Vermont, and especially Governor Jim
Douglas, have failed to find ways to bring Vermont National Guard
troops home from Iraq,

Whereas this war will only be brought to an end by the direct actions
of working people,

Therefore, Let It Be Resolved that the Vermont AFL-CIO continues to
stand in firm opposition to this war, and unequivocally supports the
decision of the Longshore Caucus of the International Longshore &
Warehouse Union (ILWU) to shutdown the west coast ports for a period
of 8 hours on May 1st, 2008, as a means of resistance.

Let It Be Resolved that the Vermont AFL-CIO stands in full solidarity
with the New York Metro National Association of Letter Carriers who
have resolved to conduct two minute periods of silence on May 1st,
2008, at 1PM, 5PM & 9PM in protest of the war and in support of the
Longshoremen.

Let It Be Resolved that the Vermont AFL-CIO encourages all Vermont
workers to stand in solidarity with the historic actions being taken
by the Longshoremen & other labor unions to end this war.

Let It Be Further Resolved that the Vermont AFL-CIO calls for all
Vermont workers to discuss the actions of the Longshoremen, to wear
anti-war buttons, and to take various actions of their own design and
choosing in their workplace on May 1st, 2008 as a means of resistance
against this unjust war.

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