The International Truck Drivers Union of North America supported the Iranian truckers' strike
The nationwide strike of truckers and drivers in Iran continues for the ninth consecutive day, while the government of Hassan Rouhani has not responded to the demands of the strikers.
At the same time, the North American Truck Drivers International Union has supported its striking colleagues 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 brothers & sisters! https://t.co/rageqo2hF8 @AdenaNima @ITFglobalunion #1u pic.twitter.com/HZAzp1jXxA
— Teamsters (@Teamsters) May 29, 2018
The union wrote in a letter to the Iranian Interests Protection Office in the United States on Wednesday, June 29, expressing solidarity with its striking brothers and sisters in Iran.
The union has called on the Iranian government to listen to the strikers' complaints and respect their demands and international rights to freedom of assembly and expression.
The union represents 1.4 million truck drivers in the United States and Canada.
On the other hand, Prince Reza Pahlavi also reacted to the truckers' strike on Twitter, writing: "Mr. Khamenei! What is "real" in Iran today is kleptocracy, not democracy!"
Truck owners and drivers cited the low fares despite rising truck costs, high freight commissions, and the discontinuation of insurance premium subsidies as reasons for their strike.
The strike has continued even though the government has agreed to a 20% fare increase a few days ago.
However, it seems that truckers are still pursuing their demands.
The widespread strike in recent days has caused a shortage of gasoline in cities such as Shiraz and Isfahan, but at the same time, reports indicated that officers were trying to provide gasoline to these cities by escorting some trucks.
Strikes by workers and various trade unions in Iran have increased in recent months.
In late April of this year, market vendors and economic activists in western Iran's border markets went on strike to protest new restrictions on the entry of goods into border markets and the closure of some border crossings.
Source: Voice of America
