Meet an Iraqi Labor Leader

The North American representative of the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions of Iraq will make a stop in Madison as part of a national speaking tour being sponsored by U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW). The tour will provide the first opportunity for Americans to hear directly from an Iraqi trade unionist on difficult conditions in Iraq.

AMJAD ALLI ALJAWHRY is a courageous leader who struggled for years -- despite Saddam's severe repression of unions and often during violent times -- to organize workers seeking to improve workplace conditions. Aljawhry was blacklisted by Saddam's regime for his political views and for organizing among sewing workers. He fled to Turkey in 1995, and later to Canada where he has spoken widely against sanctions and the war. Armed interference with workers' right to organize continues today under U.S.-led occupation of Iraq, says Aljawhry who spent 4 months in his home country last year.

A $5 donation is requested to help defray expenses of the tour. For more information, please call the office of the South Central Federation of Labor at 256-6111.

Local support for the tour is being provided for by the SCFL, TAA/AFT 3220, AFSCME 145, AFSCME 171, AFSCME 2412, AFSME Retirees 55, PERSA/AFT 4999, Veterans for Peace, the Madison Area Peace Coalition and generous contributions of area individuals.