HOPOI Report from STUC Conference
 April 2007

All in all we managed a good contribution to the STUC (Scottish Trades Union Council.
A member of HOPOI, Terry Brotherstone (Aberdeen University and UCU Scottish executive - formerly association of University Teachers ) proposed the antiwar motion  in defense of Iraqi academics killed or forced into exile.  In proposing the composite motion Terry  mentioned  all the principles of
HOPOI ( against imperialism- against theocracy- in solidarity with  workers,  teachers , academics in  the region. ) 

 The motion about the threat of war against Iran had an amendment  by RMT mentioning  support for workers strikes such as the one in Vahed  Bus company and support for Mansour Ossanlou.

 We distributed a leaflet by HOPOI outside the conference and at the STOP the WAR fringe meeting . Tommy Sheridan once more pronounced his  support for HOPOI , announcing to those around him that he has already signed up to the campaign.

 Amongst the speakers,   John Leach of the RMT made some important points regarding the concerns of rank and file members of his union regarding the war. He said the anti war motion they are proposing to the STUC conference is not just drawn up by Trade Union officials it reflects the views of the overwhelming majority of their members. The president of  RMT   also reiterated the support of his union for workers in Iran involved in organising independent trade unions and mentioned their support for Mansour Ossanlou.

Lindsay German in her contribution , while urging opposition to a war against Iran said that: “ in the whole debacle about the plight of British marines and whether they should have sold their story  none one mentioned that  the marines were  the  in the Persian Gulf  not British waters -- these are Iraqi, Iranian, Kuwaiti, waters. The peoples of that region did not invite  British or US forces and their frigates  “

She added  Stop the war defends the women’s movement and other democratic forces in Iran , however supporters of civil society and opposition inside the country didn’t want war as this would only strengthen the regime and increase repression.

Marcila Gharib  Hands Off The People of Iran
 http://www.hopoi.org