Ottawa activists join International Day of Action on Iran

Protest at Iranian Embassy in Ottawa calls for release of jailed bus union leaders and members

'Support Workers Rights in Iran'

Ottawa (17 Feb. 2006) - Activists led by the Canadian Labour Congress joined an international day of action on Iran this week in Ottawa, demonstrating in front of the Iranian Embassy
in downtown Ottawa where they called for the release of unionized bus workers who have been imprisoned without trial in the Middle East country.

Alexa McDonough, former national New Democratic Party leader, now MP for Halifax, and Barb Byers, an executive vice-president of the three-million-member central labour body, spoke during the demonstration.

The event was held in conjunction with other demonstrations around the world, supported by the Brussels-based International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).

Protesters called for the release of Mansour Osanloo, leader of the Trade Union of the Greater Tehran United Bus Company (Sherkate-Vahed), and for negotiations to reach a collective agreement with employees.

Demonstrators on sidewalk opposite the Iranian Embassy in Ottawa
Barb Byers	Alexa McDonough
Deborah Bourque	'Workers Rights are Human Rights'
'Demand the Rights to Organize and Strike'	Police and security cameras guard embassy on opposite side of street
Shouting a message across the street for all to hear

Following a protest organized by the union at the end of January, Iranian officials arrested hundreds of trade union members and their families. Some were beaten, others pressured to continue working. Eight members of the union executive were imprisoned on the eve of a strike. Over 80, including the leader and all executive members, remain jailed.

The ICFTU represents 155 million workers through its 236 affiliated organisations in 154 countries and territories. NUPGE