***** LaborTalk for September 18, 2002:
National Union Officials Remain Silent While Public Debates War Against Iraq
By Harry Kelber
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and the 51 members of the Executive Council have refused to comment on the growing debate over whether the United States should go to war against Iraq, as though it was not a matter of concern for America's working families.
Ever since President Bush announced his "war on terrorism" nearly a year ago, AFL-CIO leaders have maintained a strict taboo about mentioning anything about Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Middle East, al Qaeda and the Pentagon war preparations. By their silence, labor leaders appear to be signaling that Bush has their blank check to conduct the "war" on whatever terms he chooses, for as long as he wants and whatever the cost. If there are union leaders who disagree with the "say nothing" policy, they ought to have the courage to stand up and say so.
Of course, there are differences of opinion among union members (as there is among the general population) about how to deal with international terrorism, but they should be kept informed about what's happening in the world's trouble spots. The official labor press, especially America at Work, does a disservice to American workers by pretending that the world outside the United States does not exist....
<http://www.laboreducator.org/aflsil.htm> ***** -- Yoshie
* Calendar of Events in Columbus: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/calendar.html> * Anti-War Activist Resources: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/activist.html> * Student International Forum: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/> * Committee for Justice in Palestine: <http://www.osu.edu/students/CJP/>