Democratic congresswoman blasts Iraqi threats to its striking oil workers as undemocratic

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.upi.com/Energy/Briefing/2007/06/06/woolsey_blasts_threats_to_iraq_oil_workers/8169/

Woolsey blasts threats to Iraq oil workers

Published: June 6, 2007 at 7:30 PM

WASHINGTON, June 6 (UPI) -- Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., said Iraqi threats to its striking oil workers are undemocratic during a briefing with a visiting Iraqi unionist.

"If they're working for a true democracy, working rights have to be front and center," Woolsey said during the briefing with Hashmeya Muhsin Hussein, president of the Electrical Utility Workers Union.

Woolsey was responding to questions about the ongoing strike in Basra, in southern Iraq, where workers began striking Monday over frustrations that demands for better working conditions and inclusion in the negotiations over the draft oil law have not been met.

Earlier Wednesday, Iraqi troops surrounded the workers, who stopped oil and oil products flow inside Iraq and were starting to affect exports, and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki issued arrest warrants for leaders, though none was arrested.

Though details aren't known, there is word from U.S. labor leaders that the workers agreed to a five-day pause in the strike as negotiations restarted.

It's "just the opposite of what we're supposed to be there for," Woolsey said in response to questions on the proper U.S. response as occupying power. "Our current administration doesn't support the workers rights we have in this country," said Woolsey, chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and Labor's Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

FULL story at link.

[MissWaverly]

1. this needs to go the greatest page

Good Luck, hope it makes it.

:-)

[UndertheOcean]

2. K&R

!!