The Saint Paul Trades and Labor Assembly will debate a resolution on U.S. military action against Iraq at its regular monthly meeting Jan. 8.

A proposed resolution was introduced at the Assembly's Dec. 11 meeting and tabled until January. Delegates who spoke to the resolution said a delay would give local unions more time to discuss the issues involved.

The resolution before the Assembly received unanimous approval from Machinists District Lodge 77 Retirees on Nov. 20 and from Machinists Lodge 459 on Nov. 21, with instructions to forward the language to the Assembly, said Machinists retiree Wayne Wittman.

That language was moved along to Assembly delegates, without recommendation, by the Assembly's Executive Board.

Here is the text of the resolution:

Proposed Resolution Regarding U.S. Military Action in Iraq

WHEREAS the Bush administration appears bent on initiating a military action in Iraq; and

WHEREAS any military action will result in the death and disabling of innocent persons and our own military personnel; and

WHEREAS there is in place United Nations procedures that can be implemented to sanction any U.S. military actions;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Saint Paul Area Trades and Labor Assembly opposes any military actions in Iraq not specifically sanctioned and authorized by the United Nations.

This article was written for The Union Advocate newspaper, the official publication of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. Used by permission. E-mail The Advocate at: advocate@mtn.org

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