Striking bus workers in Iran attacked, ask for international support

The following is an appeal by the striking bus workers of Tehran to world labour and progressive organisations for a massive international support, following the brutal attack on Saturday 28th January on their strike by the Iranian regime's security forces. The workers are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all their detained colleagues, recognition of their union (syndicate), introduction of collectively negotiated agreements and prosecution of all those behind today's vicious attack on their assemblies and picket lines. Our committee calls for the strongest possible international protest at this outrageous attack and resolute support of the brave bus workers of Tehran and their syndicate. The bus workers of Tehran should not be left alone in this critical hour of their battle. Please make a powerful and immediate response to this appeal by whatever means you deem appropriate. Keep us informed of all your interventions and support actions so that they may be brought to the attention of the workers and people of Iran through our radio and TV stations and other communication channels.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Issue date: 28/1/2006

To workers, all trade unions and progressive organisations of the world

Condemn the attack on our strike

On behalf of the 17,000 workers and employees of Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Bus Company, we would like to inform you, the labour organisations of the world and all those who are distressed by the violation of the most evident rights of people, that today, 28th January, our all-out strike met the unprecedented assault of the security forces of the Islamic Republic.

They raided our homes from the night before; they even took our young kids to prison. They arrested a large number of people - the exact figure for which we still don’t have, but certainly over several hundred. They forced some of our colleagues to drive the buses, by beating them up and threatening them. They enlisted the help of drivers from the armed forces, and set upon us thousands of police and security officers – both uniformed and plain clothed – in order to smash our strike. This is the situation we are in.

What was the strike for? It was for the release of Mr Ossanlou and the other leaders of the Syndicate, thrown into jail for no reason at all by bullying. It was for the introduction of collective bargaining, for the recognition of the union, for a pay increase, and so on. Can you believe it that for such demands they would launch such a brutal and massive war on us bus workers?

This is what the Islamic Republic did, and we have no choice but to continue our struggle with even greater resolve and unity. We ask you our colleagues and fellow workers throughout the world, you who can have your own unions and organisations, to condemn this action of the Iranian state. We trust that you will call for the immediate and unconditional release of all the detainees, for the recognition of our union and for the meeting of our demands. We expect that you will condemn the assault on our strike and demand the prosecution and punishment of all those who stormed workers’ picket lines.

We hereby thank all those trade unions and organisations who have supported our struggles. We have a hard and long battle ahead of us and urge you to continue your support.

Regards,

Syndicate of Workers and Employees of Tehran and Suburbs Vahed Bus Company
28/1/2006

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Labour Solidarity Committee of the
Worker-communist Party of Iran
Co-ordinator: Shahla Daneshfar ( shahla_daneshfar@yahoo.com)
Public Relations: Bahram Soroush ( b.soroush@ukonline.co.uk)
www.wpiran.org www.kargaran.org www.newchannel.tv www.rowzane.com

Tehran Bus Workers' Protest - Update 12, Saturday 28 January 2006


Tehran bus strikers violently attacked; hundreds arrested

The mass assemblies and picket lines of striking bus workers in all ten transport districts of Iran’s capital, Tehran, came under violent attack by the security forces this morning.

Thousands of workers were beaten up and forced to drive the buses. Several hundred drivers and many activists and leaders of the union have been arrested, including the wives and children of four members of the union executive.

From the early hours of this morning, a huge number of security forces were deployed at the bus depots throughout Tehran to stop the strike at any cost. However, displaying enormous courage, the drivers resisted the attacks, wherever they could, and went ahead with the strike. In solidarity with the strikers, many residents of Tehran have refused to board the buses.

The union officials said the security forces employed indescribable brutality towards the workers. Arrests, harassment and raids on the homes of the activists are continuing. The Islamic regime is intent on breaking the strike and smashing the union. The union executive is deciding on the next course of action.

WPI appeals to all world labour organisations to support the bus workers by all possible means, including by sending strongly-worded protest letters to the Islamic regime and its embassies abroad, condemning the brutal attack on the workers and their families and demanding the immediate release of all those arrested and detained, including the head of the union, Mansoor Ossanlou, and six other members of the union executive.

Protest letters may be sent to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran at  dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir . Please forward copies of all your letters and messages to us for distribution to the workers and the public in Iran.

Please contact us on how to make urgently-needed contributions to the Bus Workers’ Strike Fund from where you are. In Sweden please make your donations to the following account and notify us at the same time:

Acct no: 400 11 845 429, Nordea Bank, Sweden


End

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Labour Solidarity Committee of the
Worker-communist Party of Iran
Co-ordinator: Shahla Daneshfar ( shahla_daneshfar@yahoo.com)
Public Relations: Bahram Soroush ( b.soroush@ukonline.co.uk)
www.wpiran.org www.kargaran.org www.newchannel.tv www.rowzane.com