The leaders of four important British trade unions organising workers in the transport sector, joined Andy Gilchrist, General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union last week in sending messages of support and sympathy to the families of the murdered Iraqi railworkers and pleging to support the IFTU in the struggle to rebuild independent trade unionism in Iraq.
Kevin Curran, GMB General Secretary, Tony Woodley, T&GWU General Secretary, Keith Norman, ASLE&F Acting General Secretry and Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary all wrote to the IFTU with messages of solidarity.
Tony Woodley said:
Dear Abdullah,
I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear reports of the murderous attacks on rail workers which took place on the night of Wednesday 27th October on the railway line between Mosul and Baghdad. It is horrifying to learn that four of your members have been killed and mutilated by terrorists while driving and working on a freight train carrying consumer goods.
On behalf of the Transport & General Workers' Union, please accept our heartfelt condolences on this tragic event, and be assured of our solidarity and support in the struggle to achieve decent working conditions, trade union rights ,and a safe working environment for all your members.
Please pass on our sympathy to the families of those workers who were so brutally killed.
Yours fraternally,
Tony Woodley
General Secretary
The letters from Keith Norman View image (ASLE&F) and
Bob Crow View image (RMT) can be viewed by clicking here