International Union of North American Truck Drivers Supports Iranian Truckers’ Strike
A nationwide strike by truck drivers and drivers in Iran continues for its ninth consecutive day while the Hassan Rouhani government has not responded to the strikers’ demands.
Meanwhile, the International Union of North American freight truck drivers has expressed support for their striking counterparts in Iran.
Iranian truck drivers in 25 provinces and 160 cities have been on strike over low pay, rising operating costs, increased tolls and other regulatory fees. #Teamsters stand in #solidarity with our Iranian brother & sisters! https://t.co/rageqo2hF8 @AdenaNima @ITFglobalunion #1u pic.twitter.com/HZAzp1jXxA
— Teamsters (@Teamsters) May 29, 2018
The union sent a letter on Wednesday, June 29, addressing Iran’s interests protection office in the United States, expressing solidarity with its striking brothers and sisters in Iran.
The union has called on the Iranian government to listen to the complaints of the strikers and respect their international rights to freedom of assembly and expression.
This union represents 1.4 million freight truck drivers in the United States and Canada.
On the other hand, Prince Reza Pahlavi also reacted to the truck drivers’ strike on Twitter, writing: “Mr. Khamenei! What is ‘real’ in Iran today is plunder, not democracy!”
Truck drivers cited reasons for their strike as low freight rates despite rising truck operating costs, high cargo commissions, and the cutting of insurance premium subsidies.
The strike has continued despite the government approving a 20 percent increase in freight rates a few days ago.
However, it appears that truck drivers remain pursuing their demands.
The widespread strike in recent days has caused gasoline shortages in cities such as Shiraz and Isfahan, but at the same time reports showed that officers were escorting some trucks in attempts to supply gasoline to these cities.
Workers’ and various professionals’ strikes in Iran have increased in recent months.
In late March of this year, merchants and economic activists in border bazaars in western Iran also went on strike in protest of new restrictions on bringing goods into border bazaars and the closure of some border crossings.
Source: Voice of America
