Resolution Opposing a War Against Iraq

WHEREAS, the mission of the labor movement is to struggle for justice on the job and in our communities; and

WHEREAS, in today corporate-dominated global economy the struggle for justice is necessarily international; and

WHEREAS, the administration of President Bush has declared its determination to overthrow the Iraqi regime and is threatening to launch a preemptive war without the approval of the United Nations; and

WHEREAS, there is no convincing link between Iraq and Al Quaeda or between Iraq and the horrific events of September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, the Bush administration has presented no credible evidence that Iraq presents any immediate threat to the United States; and

WHEREAS, a war with Iraq would likely result in massive death and carnage among Iraqi civilians and U.S. combatants, most of whom are the sons and daughters of the working classes; and

WHEREAS, such a war could easily draw in neighboring countries in a wider conflict that could destabilize the entire region; and

WHEREAS, such a war would be in violation of international law; and

WHEREAS, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney has noted that the sudden urgency for a decision about war and peace, an urgency that did not exist a month ago, has as much to do with the political calendar as with the situation in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, a majority of the Democratic Party Congressional representatives have voted against the Bush resolution on Iraq; and

WHEREAS, the Bush administration’ rush to war seeks to distract Americans from the real threats posed by corporate corruption and greed, which have stolen or destroyed the jobs, health, retirement benefits, and savings of millions of working Americans; and

WHEREAS, a war with Iraq would sap the U.S. treasury of many billions of dollars desperately needed for job creation, health care, education, and other human needs;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that Pennsylvania Federation BMWE Joint Protective Board goes on record as strenuously opposing the Bush Administration’s march towards war with Iraq; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Pennsylvania Federation BMWE Joint Protective Board urge the Bush administration to continue to abide by and work through the resolution of the UN Security Council, and we oppose an invasion of Iraq without UN Security Council approval.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Pennsylvania Federation BMWE Joint Protective Board supports the men and women in our armed forces even if we do not support President Bush’s decision to go to war in Iraq; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that this resolution be widely distributed to other entities within the BMWE and rail labor; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Pennsylvania Federation BMWE Joint Protective Board urges its members and affiliates to support organizations working nonviolently to stop the Bush administration’s march toward war against Iraq.

Adopted at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 17, 2003

Pennsylvania Federation Joint Protective Board

Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees