If the United States declares war against Iraq, it will do so with neither the endorsement nor condemnation of the Saint Paul Area Trades and Labor Assembly. At their monthly meeting Wednesday night, Assembly delegates voted to indefinitely table a resolution against US military action in Iraq.

The resolution had been unanimously approved by members of Machinists District Lodge 77 Retirees on Nov. 21. The retirees brought the issue before the Assembly in December. Machinist retiree Wayne Wittman presented the resolution this week, saying he believed an attack on Iraq was both morally wrong and economically costly. Wittman also noted that the resolution was a 'fitting tribute to former Senator Paul Wellstone, who risked his political career in opposition to war.'

Some Assembly delegates expressed concern about the possible repercussions of passing the resolution. One delegate said the state and national Republican administrations are certainly 'not a friend to labor? if we stick our heads up, we are vulnerable.' St. Paul Federation of Teachers delegate Jean Jones said she favored tabling the resolution because she questioned 'whether or not the war is a labor issue,' not out of fear of retribution.

Wittman said he and the other retirees were disappointed, but not surprised, by the outcome of the vote. Despite this setback, he said, 'We will still be here, we will still keep fighting.'

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