Tehran Bus Company workers
propose another strike.
In protest at the continued detention of a Bus Company Labour activist,
Mansour Ossanlou and in defense of their demands for recognition
of the workers independent syndicate, Vahed Bus company workers have
announced that they will go on strike on Saturday 28th Jan 2006 ,a
working day in Iran .
This is the second strike of the last few weeks. On Sunday the 25th of
Dec 2005, Tehran Bus workers went on strike in response to the
arrest on the 22nd of Dec of a dozen members of the Union of Workers of
Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company ("Sherkat e Vahed") in armed police
raids on their homes and in support of their demand
for a pay rise and payment of unpaid wages, including eight
months' unpaid wages of the sacked workers whose reinstatement the
workers recently won. During the strike a number of further arrests
were made., however around 4,000 bus drivers spent the night before
the night at the depot in Tehran's transport area in an upbeat
and defiant mood. and on Monday 26th December the authorities released
most of those who had been arrested but refused to release
Mansour Ossanlou a well know syndicate activist. The latest
leaflet by Tehran Vahed Bus workers calls for national and
international solidarity with their strike on Saturday:
“Fellow workers
You are well aware that the Syndicate of Vahed Bus Company workers has
done all in its power to defend your rights unequivocally in this
struggle we have been punished by the authorities. We have faced
solitary confinement in Evin prison, dismissal, forced exile and
constant summons by the security forces. Despite all this we have been
adamant in putting forward our legitimate demands and legitimate rights
and because with your solidarity , through a joint effort we will
be able to defend your rights.”
In the December strike Tehran Bus workers managed to gain the support
of mine workers, Iran Khodro ( major Car plant) workers unions
and they received messages of support from oil workers in
Khuzestan, textile workers.. These workers are the genuine anti
capitalist, anti war forces in our region as opposed to the Islamic
government in Iran whose constant failure to deal with the
barbarism of international capital has deprived the working
class of any socials and political existence. Show your solidarity with
Iran by supporting the majority of its population, Iran’s brave
workers and toilers against the pro capitalist Islamist Regime.
Support us in building International solidarity with Tehran Bus
workers,
Please send messages of solidarity to
etehadchap@yahoo.co.uk
Pass resolutions in support of Iranian workers.
Workers Left Unity Iran
http://www.etehadchap.org
26 Jan 2006