The AFL-CIO made American labor history when it passed a strongly worded resolution against the Iraq war and occupation, the first time in its 50 years the federation has formally opposed an American military action. The ILWU was the first union in the country to take that position at its International Convention in May 2003, less than two months after the start of the war.
The AFL-CIO resolution calls on "our country’s leaders to bring them [the U.S. troops] home rapidly." It also states that the "American people were misinformed before the war began," and calls "for the Bush administration to level with the American people." It supports expanded benefits for U.S. veterans and demands Iraqi workers be granted internationally recognized labor rights to organize free of interference from government and employers, and to bargain collectively.
AFL-CIO leaders studiously avoided taking a position on the war since before it began. The push for the resolution came from below. Countless union locals, central labor councils, state federations, as well as at least eight national unions had taken that position before the convention. U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW), an ad hoc organization of union activists, had sponsored a nation-wide tour of Iraqi unionists who made clear at every union hall they visited that the end of the occupation was the prerequisite for peace and prosperity in Iraq. Two Iraqis—a unionist and a women’s rights activist—were honored guests at the convention and they continued to push for their position throughout the week.
The anti-war sentiment was so strong that 18 resolutions on it were submitted to the convention’s Resolution Committee, which consolidated them into one. But the wording was too wishy-washy for most supporters who continued to press for stronger language.
The tide seemed to turn their way the morning before the vote on it when Jesse Jackson received an extended ovation for his anti-war statement during his speech.
"Honor our soldiers," Jackson thundered to rising applause. "Bring them home. Bring them home."
When the matter hit the floor later that day, the Resolution Committee presented the stronger wording as a friendly amendment. Every speaker supported it and it passed by a voice vote unquestionably.
—SS
