Today, 29th September 2018, on fifth day of Truck drivers’ strike in Iran 236 cities in 31 provinces witnessed banners in solidarity with teachers, workers, and against poverty.
The authorities have tried to stop the strike by different means including spreading false information regarding solution to transportation of goods and attempts to stop individuals from joining the strike, however, workers have stayed united and are expanding the strike.
The striking workers with their basucs demands, convincing arguments and modern practices have attracted public’s support for the strike. In Shiraz, members of the public stopped trucks and their escorts that the authorities use for breaking picket lines of the striking workers.
Pictures of the strike and their banners have been widely shared on social media.
The striking drivers insist on their demands and highlight the reasons for the action such as safer roads which is also about public’s health and safety. Convincing the workers who had not joined the strike by highlighting its importance in achieving a better, fairer, more just, and surely safer life for everyone has been a success.
Many more drivers have joined the strike and public’s support has been overwhelming. Members of the public on social media and different workers’ organisations in their statements have supported the strike and the workers.
The strike which comes right after the recent general strike in Kurdistan in objection to execution of political activists has been regarded as a highly significant political event.
Strike Coordinating Committee of the workers, in their initial statement, mentioned the following objections and demands in their Strike Statement:
• High prices
• Lack of jobs
• Lack of job security
• Delayed payment of wages
• Lack of right to workers’ organisation
• Lack of right to formation of worker unions and syndicates
• Empty promises of authorities
• Unsafe roads
• Lack of recognition of the job as a detrimental job
The strike coordinating committee also stated that “our aim is not just to receive tyre and oil and auto parts, it’s to end the oppression and inequality in society.