Iran's Bus Drivers Union Calls for Green-Labor Unity
PBS Frontline
15-Feb-2010 (12 comments)

In a potentially significant development, a leading constituent of Iran's labor movement has now unequivocally aligned itself with the Green Movement.

On February 12, Tehran's Bus Drivers Union (Syndicate of Vahed Company Workers of Tehran and Environs, or SVCWTE) circulated posters throughout Tehran declaring itself fully on the side of the democratic movement and called on the Greens to support the beleaguered union through acts of civil disobedience.

The poster reads:

"Green Traffic Every Day at 6 p.m. from March 6 to March 22"

"Call to Action from SVCWTE to the People of Iran, Especially the Democratic Green Movement, for Civil Disobedience."

"Starting March 6, we the workers of Vahed Company will wage acts of civil disobedience (or white strike) to protest the condition of Mansoor Osanloo in prison. We appeal to the Iranian people and to the Democratic Green Movement -- of which we consider ourselves a small part--to join us by creating a deliberate traffic jam in all directions leading to Valiasr Square."

"To Publicize Information is a Form of Struggle"

The Bus Drivers Union's February 12 statement has far-reaching consequences for both the democratic and labor movements. As many observers have commented, the Achilles' heel of the protest movement continues to be its failure to produce cohesive forms of political and economic demands. In ignoring the workers' economic grievances, Green Wave leaders and activists may ... >>>

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HollyUSA

Thanks for the link vildmose

by HollyUSA on Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:33 PM PST


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vildemose

Iran labor

by vildemose on Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:28 PM PST

Iran labor report:

//iranlaborreport.com/


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MM

Ben is correct: I should have said "If Oil workers......." sorry

by MM on Mon Feb 15, 2010 09:48 PM PST

.


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HollyUSA

'The linked site says it is not true'

by HollyUSA on Mon Feb 15, 2010 09:18 PM PST

That seems very fishy to me. And yes benross I am disappointed but not disheartened :)

AMIR 1973, I don't think many agree that the IRI is unreformable. Some (I won't say most because there are no reliable stats) don't even want reform! They just want a complete change to a secular govt. But that's not news.


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AMIR1973

You think that the regime doesn't have its own people in unions?

by AMIR1973 on Mon Feb 15, 2010 08:35 PM PST

Iranian labor unions are kept under the close watch of the intelligence and security apparatus. Unionists who have been outspoken against their rotten pay and working conditions have been jailed. The IRI has learned from the "mistakes" of the Pahlavi regime and is determined not to allow any sort of significant opening or liberalization in society. It is a very deeply entrenched dictatorial regime. I am increasingly coming to the conclusion that, without significant outside assistance to weaken the IRI's apparatus of repression (i.e. depriving the regime as much as possible of money), regime change is not possible in the foreseeable future (meaning years). And let's be honest with ourselves: this regime is unreformable. In fact, real reform is even less likely than regime change. Let me say that again: the IRI is unreformable. 


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David ET

The linked site says it is not true

by David ET on Mon Feb 15, 2010 07:58 PM PST


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HollyUSA

What? you can't handle enthusiasm?!

by HollyUSA on Mon Feb 15, 2010 07:48 PM PST

It will all come to fruition, in time. A widespread labor strike is the surest and quicket way to secure the nail in the IR's coffin. 

And remember, people who get jumpy easily are not much of an asset and more of a liability in fact, in the midst of a battle. I'm sure you want to be an asset, right?  ;)


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benross

I was very uncomfortable

by benross on Mon Feb 15, 2010 07:36 PM PST

I was very uncomfortable about the degree of enthusiasm and expectations prior to Bahman 22 and naturally the disappointment that brought to some. Now MM mentioning the oil stike made me jumpy!


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HollyUSA

benross

by HollyUSA on Mon Feb 15, 2010 07:24 PM PST

'...please don't get carried away. Not again.'

Please elaborate.


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benross

Good news indeed. But please

by benross on Mon Feb 15, 2010 07:21 PM PST

Good news indeed. But please please don't get carried away. Not again.


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MM

the oil industry workers' strike will doom the regime

by MM on Mon Feb 15, 2010 06:58 PM PST

money is the instrument of evil for this regime.  i hope the strikes spread and cut off the money.


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HollyUSA

This is great news

by HollyUSA on Mon Feb 15, 2010 05:06 PM PST

Thanks for sharing Shifteh jan. Let's hope it is only the begining of a much larger move in this direction.


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