An Urgent Appeal For 17000 Bus Workers of Tehran and Their Families Dear Friends This is an urgent appeal on behalf of bus workers of Tehran and their families. Following more than one month of protests and negotiations with the government for some basic demands, such as, the introduction of collective bargaining, the recognition of […]
An Urgent Appeal
For 17000 Bus Workers of Tehran and Their Families
Dear Friends
This is an urgent appeal on behalf of bus workers of Tehran and their families. Following more than one month of protests and negotiations with the government for some basic demands, such as, the introduction of collective bargaining, the recognition of the union, and for a pay increase, in the process of which the Islamic Republic threw Mr Ossanlou and some other leaders of the Syndicate into jail, the bus workers called for strike on Saturday 28 January. This action was met with a brutal assault by the government, several hundred workers were arrested, (the exact number is not known, but the figure is close to 700) In several instances when the security forces were unable to find the workers themselves, they arrested the workers wives and their kids. Many drivers have been beaten up. Mr. Salimis (a syndicate leader) young kids were take to jail and beaten up by the security forces.
I would like to ask for your support and solidarity. We should not let 17000 bus workers and their families to suffer alone in hardship. They need your help. We Date: 30 January,
should work together for the release of jailed workers, to help them win their demands and to condemn this atrocity by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Azar Majedi
Chair of Organisation for Womens Liberation- Iran
30/1/2006
[email protected]
www.azadizan.com
www.newchannel.tv
The following is an appeal by the striking bus workers of Tehran to world labour and progressive organisations for a massive international support.
Issue date: 28/1/2006
To workers, all trade unions and progressive organisations of the world
Condemn the attack on our strike
On behalf of the 17,000 workers and employees of Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Bus Company, we would like to inform you, the labour organisations of the world and all those who are distressed by the violation of the most evident rights of people, that today, 28th January, our all-out strike met the unprecedented assault of the security forces of the Islamic Republic.
They raided our homes from the night before; they even took our young kids to prison. They arrested a large number of people – the exact figure for which we still dont have, but certainly over several hundred. They forced some of our colleagues to drive the buses, by beating them up and threatening them. They enlisted the help of drivers from the armed forces, and set upon us thousands of police and security officers both uniformed and plain clothed in order to smash our strike. This is the situation we are in.
What was the strike for? It was for the release of Mr Ossanlou and the other leaders of the Syndicate, thrown into jail for no reason at all by bullying. It was for the introduction of collective bargaining, for the recognition of the union, for a pay increase, and so on. Can you believe it that for such demands they would launch such a brutal and massive war on us bus workers?
This is what the Islamic Republic did, and we have no choice but to continue our struggle with even greater resolve and unity. We ask you our colleagues and fellow workers throughout the world, you who can have your own unions and organisations, to condemn this action of the Iranian state. We trust that you will call for the immediate and unconditional release of all the detainees, for the recognition of our union and for the meeting of our demands. We expect that you will condemn the assault on our strike and demand the prosecution and punishment of all those who stormed workers picket lines.
We hereby thank all those trade unions and organisations who have supported our struggles. We have a hard and long battle ahead of us and urge you to continue your support.
Regards,
Syndicate of Workers and Employees of Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Bus Company
28/1/2006
www.medusa2000.com
fax:+44 870 135 8385
Sazman e azadi zan
[email protected]
Mansoor Hekmat Foundation
www.m-hekmat.com