Unions Unite in Protest
Many of the most prominent leaders of New York City's largest unions took a strong stance yesterday against the possibility of what they called an unjustified attack on Iraq, backing a controversial resolution against the war being debated by City Council members. Sponsored by Democratic Deputy Majority Leader Bill Perkins, Resolution 549 points to the threat a war against Iraq would pose to global security and the negative effects such a war would have on the people of New York and all Americans and would make NYC one of the almost 100 cities that have declared opposition to attacking Iraq. At a news conference with the president of the NY Public Library Guild AFSCME Local 1930 and other labor leaders, Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint argued that a war would jeopardize "our sons and daughters," and healthcare union DC 1199 President Dennis Rivera said that those against the war are in the majority.