Teamsters Join Worldwide Effort To Free Mansour Osanloo WASHINGTON, July 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union deplores the arrest and imprisonment of an Iranian union leader kidnapped last week in Tehran. The union demands his immediate and unconditional release. Mansour Osanloo, president of the Vahed Bus Workers' Union in Tehran, was abducted July 10 from a street by several men. Witnesses say he was beaten and bundled into a gray car. Iranian authorities initially denied knowledge of his whereabouts, but later admitted he is incarcerated in Tehran's Evin Prison. Teamster General President Jim Hoffa said he is extremely concerned about Osanloo's safety. "The Teamsters Union abhors the latest attack on Mansour Osanloo and demands his release from prison," Hoffa said. "His assault and kidnapping are a deliberate violation of his union rights and an attempt to intimidate union supporters in Iran. We are joining unions around the world in protesting this violation of human and union rights." Osanloo has been arrested three times before for union activity. He was arrested in November. The next month, union supporters were arrested during a union meeting. Iranian police later arrested hundreds more workers as they demonstrated in protest. In February 2006, Teamsters demonstrated in Washington to demand the release of the imprisoned Iranian bus drivers as part of a worldwide protest. Some of the trade union prisoners were freed, following strikes and pressure from international worker and human rights organizations. Released workers reported they have been denied the right to return to their jobs, and more have been arrested. Iran is a member of the International Labor Organization and therefore is legally obligated to comply with the principles of freedom of association. That includes the right to form and join unions, the right to bargain collectively and the right to strike. Iran's own constitution permits "the formation of parties, societies, political or professional associations." Iranian law recognizes the right to strike. The Teamsters are urging their members to demand Osanloo's release by signing a petition and letter to Iranian President Mohammed Ahmadjinejad. The International Transport Workers' Federation Web site provides a URL for that purpose: http://www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/osanloo2.cfm. Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada. DATASOURCE: International Brotherhood of Teamsters CONTACT: Leslie Miller of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, +1-202-624-6911, Web site: http://www.teamster.org/ http://www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/osanloo2.cfm

Copyright