Iraqi oil pipeline workers strike

[TheStripey1]

Interesting story...

Iraqi oil pipeline workers strike

05 Jun 2007 12:53:48 GMT
Source: Reuters




BASRA, Iraq, June 5 (Reuters) - Workers at the Oil Pipeline Company in southern Iraq began a strike on Monday demanding the government improve their pay, the company spokesman said.

Faraj Mizban said about 600 workers are taking part in the strike and that they have shut two main pipelines which carry refined oil products to Baghdad and to the southern cities.

Oil Ministry spokesman Asim Jihad said the strike will not have any effect on crude oil exports from the south, vital for Iraq's economy.

"The workers have started a strike objecting to the lower yearly profit they get," he told Reuters.

..snip

Hassan Jomaa, the head of General Union of Oil Employees in Basra, said if the government refuses to meet the workers demands then they will work on spreading the strike to all oil facilities in Basra, including exports and production.

..snip

here's more...

Oil strikers met by Iraqi troops
Published: June 6, 2007 at 4:32 PM
By BEN LANDO
UPI Energy Correspondent

WASHINGTON, June 6 (UPI) -- On the third day of an oil strike in southern Iraq, the Iraqi military has surrounded oil workers and the prime minister has issued arrest warrants for the union leaders, sparking an outcry from supporters and international unions.

...snip

The demands include union entry to negotiations over the oil law they fear will allow foreign oil companies too much access to Iraq's oil, as well as a variety of improved working conditions.

"Apparently they promise but they never do anything," Awad said, confirming reports the Iraqi Oil Ministry would send a delegation to Basra.

"One person from the Ministry of Oil accompanied by an Iraqi military figure came to negotiate the demands. Instead it was all about threats. It was all about trying to shut us up, to marginalize our actions," Awad said. "The actions we are taking now are continuing with the strike until our demands are taken in concentration."

...snip

Manfred Warda, general secretary of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions, Wednesday sent a letter to Maliki condemning his tactics in addressing the strike. "Genuine and democratic trade unions are a cornerstone of democracy and at the same time are a force for reconciliation, peace and stability in a society," Warda wrote.

...snip

How well do you think these striking workers will fare in this fledgling democracy? Will the government meet their demands or will the government throw the union leaders in jail?

[Cancel5]

This is the Bush administrations baby government, come on now, they will have the union leaders tortured!

[uscitizen]

Yes what did you expect from a Republican founded "democracy" All republicans know unions are as bad as WMD's!