Iraqi Workers Organize!

Iraq's Oil and Port Workers and their Unions
Photographs by David Bacon

Following the fall of Saddam Hussein, oil workers in Basra reorganized one of Iraq's oldest unions, and faced the occupation's prohibition on collective bargaining in the public sector. Oil workers forced US contractor KBR to leave the oil districts, and defended Iraq's oil against the threat of privatization. They helped dockers organize in the ports, and together forced Stevedoring Services of America and the Maersk Corporation to give up their privatized concessions. Workers in power generation and other industries have organized as well. This photodocumentary project shows people at work on the rigs in the refineries and the ports, their unions and leaders, and their life at home with their families.

View the images online at http://dbacon.igc.org

This year the unions of oil and longshore workeers in the LA Harbor will host this exhibition of photographs of Basra's oil and longshore workers. The show is a step in building the solidarity between US and Iraqi unions and workers, to end the war and occupation.

January 31 - February 28
Opening Reception: January 31, 2006, 7:30 PM
United Steel Workers Local 675
1200 E. 220th St.
Carson, CA 90745

(Wilmington Ave. exit off 405 toward the BP refinery, right on 223rd, right on Lucerne to 220th)

March 1 - March 31
International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63
350 W. 5th Street
San Pedro, CA 90731

The show will travel to other unions, labor studies centers, schools, and even plant gates, and will provide space for class visits and community discussions.

Sponsored by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, USW Local 675, United Teachers Los Angeles, ILWU Local 63, Diane Middleton Foundation, the Harry Bridges Institute, and US Labor Against the War (LA).