Solidarity with the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions and the Union of Unemployed of Iraq from the Industrial Workers of the World, Scottish Assembly

The situation of the Iraqi working class under the occupation is a difficult and dangerous one and for those attempting to organise unions and encourage the building of a new labour movement it is particularly perilous.

Between the guns of the occupying army, the militias of the new government and the political Islamists of the so-called resistance, the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions of Iraq (FWCUI) and the Union of the Unemployed of Iraq (UUI)and the Southern Oil Company Union have been trying to develop an independent workers movement.

In this they deserve our support and solidarity.

The members of the Industrial Workers of the World, gathered for their 2005 Scottish Assembly salute the courageous struggle of these fellow workers and send revolutionary industrial unionist greetings to the FWCUI, UUI and SOCU.

We congratulate the FWCUI on the successful workers’ open conference held in Baghdad on April 8^th and in the decision of the Independent Union of Public Services and Servants to join the Federation.

The workers’ struggle is an international one and global organisation is required if the working class are to carry out our “historic mission to do away with capitalism” (from the Preamble of IWW).

In solidarity for the One Big Union of the working class and the abolition of the wage system!

The Scottish Assembly of the Industrial Workers of the World, meeting in Stirling on April 17^th 2005.