An "Iraqi Workers' Solidarity Group" has been set up to provide a framework for communication and coordination between activists interested in assembling a broad campaign in Britain in solidarity with the new workers', unemployed, and women's movements in Iraq.
It came out of a meeting on 10 May called to discuss follow-up from the broadly-sponsored protest outside the Iraq Procurement 2004 business conference in London on 27 April. Activists from No Sweat, Unison, GMB, the Social Forums, the Green Party, Jubilee Iraq, and the Union of the Unemployed of Iraq were present.
The group's first job is to continue discussions with other activists interested in organising a solidarity campaign, with a view to organising a broad and united initiative.
It also has some practical plans for the meantime.
On Monday 18 May, we will organise a "solidarity bazaar" at the protest against George Bush Senior (Landmark Hotel, 222 Marylebone Road, London NW1, 4.30-6.30pm). We plan to set up stalls with leaflets, posters and materials from all groups interested in building solidarity with workers', unemployed, women's, students' and other democratic organisations in Iraq.
On Tuesday 19 May, Amec, the British company which has gained the biggest contracts from the occupation authorities in Iraq, is holding its Annual General Meeting. We're investigating the possibility of a protest outside it.
Plans are in hand for a comedy-night benefit for the Iraqi trade unions, and a fund-raising t-shirt.
A fringe meeting, with speakers including RMT activist Alex Gordon, who visited Iraq last year, is pencilled in for the Unison conference at the end of June. We'll be looking at the possibility of fringe meetings at other union conferences this summer.
Contact: iraqworkerssolidarity@yahoo.com. Subscribe to the group's e-list by sending a message to iraqworkerssolidarity-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.