Change low graphic options | Change language | Skip content to navigation
Page context: Tehran Bus Dispute > Archive: 2006 events
1 January
150 workers from all the ten Bus Districts of Tehran assemble outside the Revolution Court on Mo Street, from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mansour Osanloo.
2 January
At least 5,000 members of the union gather at Azadi Stadium Complex in Tehran demanding the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo. The Mayor of Tehran, who attended the gathering, is confronted with angry trade unionists.
6 January
The ICFTU sends its fifth letter of protest. The ITF sends its letter of protest - both letters condemn “the inescapable conclusion that a new pattern of repression against free and independent trade union activists is emerging in Iran”.
7 January
The union requests the bus drivers in Tehran to leave their lights on in protest while driving passengers around the city. A new strike date is set as 29 January 2006.
11 January
TWU Local 100 sends its protest letter >>
19 January
The ITF Urban Transport Committee held in Paris unanimously adopts a resolution, demanding the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo.
*From late December, trade unions including those in Yemen, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Kuwait, Canada, USA, Great Britain, Austria, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand have sent their protest letters to the Iranian government.
24 January
The Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs tables an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons expressing its concern and urging the British Government to press the Iranian government to respect trade union rights and International Labour Organization conventions.
26 January
8 members of the union’s Executive Board are summoned by the court and are not released. In an interview, the mayor of Tehran, a former top military official of Iran, who had made some promises to the syndicate, now calls the syndicate illegal and vows to stop the strike. The government and its intelligent and security forces, as well as the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, are using all kinds of intimidating and repressive tactics to prevent the strike. These include bringing new buses and drivers as strike breakers, distributing flyers in Tehran, accusing strikers as subversive and saboteurs and disseminating misinformation in the streets of Tehran that the strike will not take place.
28 January
In the morning, bus drivers are beaten and forced to drive buses in Tehran. According to the sources from Tehran, about 100 union members have been arrested since 27 January in Tehran. Despite facing heavy repression by police and other armed forces, the strike has already begun in some areas in Tehran. Some 1300 members of the union have been arrested. Hundreds of drivers and their wives and even children have been transferred to the Evin Prison where the jail and judiciary officials are interrogating them. To crush the strike, the security forces used tear gas, batons and the threat to shoot the strikers. In each area where 600 to 700 workers were expected to report to work about 1500 security forces were present. The Police has raided the homes of the syndicate members and the majority of the members of the Board of the union are now in custody.
29 January
More than 700 members of the union and a number of supporters are still in custody. Some 30 arrested workers have been seriously injured and required immediate medical attention. Some had to be transferred to the hospital. The jailed workers in Evin prison have decided to go on hunger strike.
30 January
The ICFTU sends its sixth protest letter to the Iranian government.
1 February
A group of family members and spouses of the jailed union workers gather outside the Majles (parliament). They are confronted by a large contingent of security force but some 100 members successfully proceed their demand for the immediate release of the imprisoned workers. The families vow to gather in front of the Islamic Revolution Court on 4 February.
In the meantime, the union issues its complaint letter to the International Labour Organization. Apart from the immediate release of the imprisoned unionists, recognition of the union and their collective bargaining rights, the union is demanding that the released workers be returned to work without any intimidation by the company to sign a statement of penitence in order to keep their job.
2 February
Amnesty International calls for the immediate release of the detained bus workers >>
Canadian Labor Congress (CLS) organises a protest rally in front of the Iranian Embassy in Ottawa. Trade unions including those in Japan, Australia, Luxembourg, Norway, Kenya, Great Britain send their protest letters.
4 February
Members of the Iranian community in Britain hold a protest rally at the Iranian embassy in London. Representatives of TUC, GMB and ITF join the action >>
Argentinian train drivers' union sends its protest letter.
7 February
According to the union's spokesperson, about 200 workers are now released. However, the company is refusing to reinstate them. In the meantime, on 6 February, the security force arrests another member of the union's Executive Board whilst he is visiting his mother.
8 February
Global Unions designate 15 February as their international action day to protest the violation of trade union rights against Teheran bus workers and their trade union.
Another member of the union's Executive Board is arrested in the southern part of Teheran. Only on the previous day, he made a narrow escape from the security force. He was almost detained at a job centre in Eastern Teheran where he was helping the bus workers that the company is refusing to reinstate. The authorities seem to be determined to arrest all members of the Executive Board and union's key activists.
12 February
The majority of the detained workers are now released. Some 70 - 80 unionists are still in Evin Prison. None of the union's Executive Board members are freed. The company continues to refuse reinstating those who were arrested.
13 February
Three members of the union's Executive Board are now released. 15 remain in custody. In the meantime, another bus driver is arrested. Some 100 workers stage protest in front of the Labour Ministry in Teheran for two consecutive days. ICFTU Online is released. ITF's Coordinating Committee for UK and Ireland sends out its statement concerning 15 February to the affilates.
14 February
Transport workers' unions including those in Australia, Canada, Korea, Russia and Turkey send their protest letter to the Iranian government. Buzz Hargrove, CAW cites; "the many arrests, whatever the exact number, are a completely disproportionate response to legitimate industrial action". Global Union Federations such as ICEM, IUF and UNI join the global protest.
15 February - Action Day Report 1
India: A delegation from the Transport & Dock Workers Union delivered protest letters at the Iranian Consulate General.
Japan: Members of the JRU trade union visited the Iranian Embassy in Tokyo and asked the minister, Mohammad Ali Sarmadi Rad, to release imprisoned union members. The JRU reports that: "He told us the detained union members will soon be released, and the government allows the demonstration of workers in front of the Parliament held today. We told him to respect workers’ rights in Iran."
Australia and New Zealand: A letter of protest was delivered to the Iranian President by the National/General Secretaries of the Maritime Union of Australia; Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union; Transport Workers Union of Australia; Maritime Union of New Zealand; and Rail & Maritime Transport Union (New Zealand).
Middle East: The ITF's represenative for the Middle East reports protests and actions by road transport unions in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, as well as by the petrochemical union in Jordan, the rail workers' trade union in Tunisia, and the maritime workers' union in Tunisia. In Iraq the GFIW ( General Federation of Iraqi Workers ) have delivered a letter of protest and are demonstrating in front of the Iranian Embassy in Bagdhad.
15 February - Action Day Report 2
Austria: Members of Railway Workers' Union, GdEÖ and Municipal Workers' Union, GdG, held a solidarity meeting in a bus depot with the Iranian community group in Vienna. FNCTTFEL, Luxembourg also sent its representative. The national labour centre, ÖGB will feature the issue.
Great Britain: More than 100 people participated in a protest rally outside the Iranian Embassy in London. Trade union representatives from ASLEF, GMB, RMT, UNISON and ITF took part in the action with the Iranian community groups. Excellent media coverage.
16 February - Action Day Report 3
Seven more members of the Executive Board are now released. Eight are still detained.
Thailand: Coordinated by the ITF Thai Committee, 50 members of BMTA-SWU, TRAN-U, LU-ETA, SRUT and AOT-SWU organised a demonstration and a march to the Iranian Embassy in Bangkok. The unionists were received by the Third Secretary, Aliakbar Nazari. Prior to the Action Day, the Committee sent a protest letter to the Iranian Government.
Canada: More than 100 labour activists took part in the rally in front of the Iranian Embassy. Representatives of the CLC, Canadian Postal Workers' Union, New Democrat Party and Centre for Research on Globalization as well as members of four Canadian and Iranian organisations were present.
USA：Teamsters Union and Amalgamated Transit Union joined the protest rally in Washington DC. Some 100 participants chanted "free Mansour Osanloo now!"
Australia: Australian Unions and representatives from the Iranian community protested in front of the Iranian Embassy. Speakers from the MUA, RTBU, TWU, CFMEU and CSPU called upon the Iranian Ambassador to send the unions' message of protest. The Ambassador, however, did not receive the delegation.
23 February
On 22 February, some 150 bus workers hold a protest rally outside the Ministry of Labour, demanding their reinstatement. On 21 February, the judge for the first time allows the families of three detainees to meet them at Evin Prison.
The Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) reported on 11 February that a "Committee to Defend Workers' Trade Organisations in Iran" has released a statement demanding the unconditional release of all bus workers in Tehran. The Committee is comprised of 14 "traditional" unions (see below*). The statement cites that "independent" or "unofficial" trade union organisations continue to be oppressed in Iran and are led on a road to subservience and gradual death. The statement stresses that "these bus workers are protesting to achieve their basic rights and achievement of decent wages above the pverty line. Those who do not recognize such lawful rights of independent trade unions are treating workers unjustly and unfairly."
*Driver Training Organisation of Iran, Organisation of Inter City Bus Drivers of Iran, Trade Organisation of Inter City Bus Drivers of Kerman, Driving School Teachers' Trade Organisations of Tehran, Mashad, Arak, Shahrekord, Esphahan, Free Newspaper Reporters' Trade Organisation of Tehran, Painters' Trade Organisation of Tehran, Trade Organisation of the Employees of Khatamolanbiya Hospital, Driving School Teachers' Trade Organisation of Khoramabad, Islamic Labor Council of Tehranshimi Company, Trade Organisation of Mehrad Hospital Employees.
The statement has been sent to the Minister of Justice, Iranian President, Head of the Iranian Parliament, members of the Labour and Social Affairs Caucus of Parliament, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mayor of Tehran, and all news agencies and Iranian newspapers.
24 February
Justice Minister Jamal Karimi-Rad admits on 22 February that six men are being held for "illegal acts" but fails to specify the charges. The authorities and the official press initially have been silent about the case. On February 6, Iran's reformist party, the Participation Front, lodged a protest.
27 February
The English version of the union's statement "On the Support and Solidarity of Workers Internationally" is released. It thanks all those who took part in the global Action Day on 15 February. The statement reveals the authority's announcement that the detainees would only be released if they sign a pledge to stop participating in union activities. Apparently, the authority has also said that it is not "wise at this time to allow the formation of trade unions in the country, and anyone deciding to participate in the union activities would be considered the opponent of the Islamic Republic System and thus will be prosecuted". The union is seeking further international pressure on the Iranian government. The original statement in Farsi was released on the day after the global protest.
4 March
Car plant workers at Khodro in Tehran put down their tools in protest for poor remuneration.
7 March
The union's spokesperson, Golam Reza Mirzaie is arrested three days ago in Tehran.
8 March
Representatives from the ICFTU and CLC lobby Angelika Beer, MEP in Brussels.
14 March
A list of 46 workers whose contracts have been terminated has been published by the state-owned bus company Sherkat e Vahed >> The list includes five members of the union's Executive who are still in prison. The company has stated that the orders came from the regime's intelligence authorities.
On 13 March, around 120 workers once again gathered outside various government offices and the bus company headquarters in protest at the continued barring of around 1,000 bus workers from work who have been without pay for the past six weeks. The workers were told that a decision will be made by 18 March.
15 March
Exactly one month after the international Action Day in solidarity with the Tehran bus workers, Global Unions send a joint letter of protest to the Iranian Government once again >> It condemns the continued arrest of the union leadership and the notice of dismissal to 46 Tehran bus workers that the company announced the previous day.
The ITF/FES road transport workers' seminar held in Cairo on 12-14 March 2006 adopts a resolution in support of the Tehran bus workers. Unions from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia and Yemen send their protest to the government of Iran.
18 March
Ebrahim Madadi, the union's Vice-President and a Board member Yaghoub Salimi are released.
19 March
The remaining imprisoned activists with the exception of Mansour Osanloo and Afshin Bahrami, an auto worker who was arrested for supporting the bus strike, are released.
20 March
On the Iranian New Year's Day, Mansour Hayat Ghaibi has reportedly been re-arrested, less than 24 hours after he had been released from prison.
10 April
Mansour Hayat Ghaibi is released.
27 April
The ITF Executive Board meeting unanimously accepts the application for affiliation from the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed).
1 May
1,000 police and security forces surround the 250 bus workers who gather at the Tehran Bus Company for a May Day rally and arrest 13 members including the union's Vice-President.
2 May
The ICFTU sends its protest letter to the President of Iran.
6 May
According to a public statement issued on 5 May 2006, imprisonment sentences given to the Saqez workers for celebrating the May Day in 2004 have been quashed.
Reliable sources from Iran indicate that all 13 members of the union arrested for participating in the May Day rally five days earlier have now been released. Mansour Osanloo remains in prison.
6 June
The Saqez workers (whose sentences were quashed in May) have been summoned to a hearing to renew and explain the charges of “collusion to act against the internal and external security of the country”. The workers are expected to appear at the court hearing on 17-18 June 2006.
According to reports, the primary court has also refused to return the title deeds of the properties that were deposited by these activists and their supporters as bail.
2 July
Two lawyers meet with Mansour Osanloo for the first time since his imprisonment in late December 2005. They were allowed to meet with him for 30 minutes. They felt that Osanloo needed medical treatment. At the same time, they agreed that his morale was in good shape. According to the union, the 180 workers who were sacked from the company following strike actions face an uncertain future and the authorities in the Labour Office are not doing anything about their problems. The health insurance deadline for many of these workers has already expired.
11 July
UK affiliate, the RMT unanimously adopts a motion in support of the union at its Annual General Meeting held in Dublin on 2-7 July 2006 >> (Farsi >>)
15 July
According to the ILNA News Agency, eight members of the union, including its Vice President are arrested at a peaceful rally in front of the Labour Ministry. The ILNA cited that the union did not have a permit for a rally. Those arrested on 15 July are Ebrahim Madadi, Syd Davood Razavi, Yagoub Salimi, Ata Baba Khani, Naser Golami, Syd Reza Nemati Pour, Manochehr Mahdavi Tabar and Ebrahim Nowrozi Gohari.
17 July
German union, ver.di sends a protest letter regarding the arrests.
19 July
All those who were arrested on 15 July are now released. It appears that that their families paid the bail. The ITF and ICFTU send their joint protest letter.
25 July
ITF and ICFTU submit a joint complaint to the ILO Freedom of Association Committee. The ILO acknowledges the joint ITF/ICFTU complaint as Case No. 2508.
2 August
A senior South African government representative addressing the ITF 41st Congress in Durban criticises the continued detention of Mansour Osanloo.
4 August
The Road Transport Workers' Section Conference held in conjunction with the Congress displays the video message from the union >>
Congress participants begin to sign a flag expressing solidarity for members of the union. The Conference agrees to launch a postcard campaign.
8 August
ITF Congress adopts an emergency resolution in support of the union >>
9 August
Mansour Osanloo is released. The news arrives ten minutes prior to the closure of the Congress.
17 August
Amnesty International announces that it will consider Mansour Osanloo a prisoner of conscience if he is convicted solely on the basis of charges which are not recognisably criminal, and relate to his trade union activities or to freedom of expression >>
29 August
Dismissed bus workers begin a sit-in protest at the Ministry of Labour's Tehran province office on Sarhang Safaie Street.
17 October
The union organises a successful action day where leadership and activists meet with as many Vahed bus workers as possible on a one-on-one basis to explain the activities and current issues of the union.
19 November
Mansour Osanloo is re-arrested in Tehran. He and two union Board members were on their way to the Labour Ministry when more than five plain clothed men from the Intelligent Ministry violently threw Osanloo into their car and drove away from Farjam Street. They fired shots into the open air to initimidate the unionists. The other two members, Ebrahim Madadi and Mansour Hayat Gheibi were not arrested.
Earlier, on 8 November, ten members of the union who were invited to an ILO workshop in Tabriz were detained by the local police for more than five hours upon arrival to the city. Through a protest by the ILO representative, they were subsequently released and took part in the workshop. Members of Islamic Council were present at the same meeting.
20 November
The ITF and ITUC (formerly known as ICFTU) send its joint protest letter >>
The AFL-CIO sends its protest letter >> (Farsi >>)
21 November
CGT in France sends its protest letter (French >> Farsi >>).
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) sends its protest letter.
The ETF Road Transport Section adopts a resolution.
The ITF releases its press statement >>
24 November
The ITF launches its electronic protest campaign >>
Malaysian Airlines System Employees' Union sends its protest letter.
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) sends its protest letter.
Canadian Labor Congress (CLC) addresses its protest letter to Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader.
The British TUC sends its protest letter >>
27 November
Iranian media reports that the authorities have confirmed to Osanloo's wife that he is detained once again in Section 209 of the Evin Prison. The arrest warrant was issued because Osanloo failed to appear in court, say the authorities. Osanloo's lawyers dismiss the allegation as he was arrested the day before his court hearing on 20 November 2006.
Canadian Auto Workers' union (CAW) addresses its protest letter to Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader.
The Deputy Chair of the Parliament of Venezuela sends its protest letter.
29 November
Amnesty International releases its statement >> (Farsi >>)
30 November
John McDonnell, Labour Party, Great Britain, submits an Early Day Motion on the re-arrest of Mansour Osanloo >>
1 December
The ITUC sends its protest letter >>
The ITUC writes to the Director General of the ILO, requesting his intervention to the case.
The ITF's Japanese Committee requests its affiliates to send their protest to the Iranian government.
Since Osanloo was re-arrested on Sunday 19 November, transport workers' unions in the Arab World have been on the forefront of the worldwide protest actions, says the ITF Amman Office. The affiliates in Morocco, Tunisia have visited their Iranian Embassy and lobbied their Foreign Ministry. Algerian, Lebanese and Jordanian affiliates have also raised their protest at their Iranian Embassy. The union in Yemen has sent its protest letter and unions in Kuwait and Bahrain are also expressing their solidarity to the Vahed workers and its union.
3 December
Osanloo meets with his lawyers. He also met with his wife briefly on 26 November.
Seyed Davoud Razavi, Abdolreza Tarazi and Golamreza Golam Hosseini, who are Executive Board members of the union are arrested in Tehran's Khavaran bus terminal whilst distributing union leaflets to fellow bus drivers. One leaflet was the translation of the ITUC's protest letter. Razavi and Tarazi are released the same evening. Hosseini, however, is kept in detention as his family had not been able to provide bail. They are amongst the 50 Vahed bus drivers who have been suspended for taking part in the strike action last December.
4 December
Teamsters union urges its members to join the ITF's electronic campaign >>
5 December
The Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Tehran demands a 30 million Toman (US$33,000) bail as the condition for Osanloo’s release. His family refuses the payment. They already paid 150 million Toman in August for his release.
The ITF and the ITUC submit their additional information to the ILO's Freedom of Association Committee on Case 2508 (see 25 July 2006)
6 December
Koun-Rokyo, JSU, Zenkoku-Kowan, JR-Rengo and JRU in Japan send their protest letters.
8 December
ITF releases its press statement with reference to the International Human Rights Day on 10 December >>
9 December
Golamreza Golam Hosseini who has been in jail since 3 December is released.
The union releases its statement calling for the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo >> (Farsi >>)
11 December
The union releases its statement calling for the reinstatement of the 50 dismissed workers >> (Farsi >>)
13 December
The EU condemns the re-arrest of Mansour Osanloo >>
The ITF releases its press statement >> and news online >>
19 December
Mansour Osanloo is released on bail from Evin Prison and is back home. The union's Vice President Ibrahim Madadi said: I thank on behalf of Osanloo, his family and the members of Vahed, all the effective efforts from the ITUC, the ITF and their affiliates which led to the release of Osanloo today. We look forward to expanding our relationship so that ILO Convetions 87 and 98 will be implemented in Iran.
20 December
The union releases its statement on the release of Mansour Osanloo >> (Farsi >>)
Section home:
Tehran Bus Dispute
Other pages for Tehran Bus Dispute:
Voices of Solidarity | Video Message from Vahed Union | Feb 2007: Support Tehran bus workers | Dismissed Workers | Archive: 2005 events
Main Sections:
Home | About us | Solidarity | Flags of Convenience campaign | Seafarers | Dockers | Civil Aviation | Railways | Road transport | Urban Transport | Fisheries | Tourism | Inland Navigation | Women | Education | Young workers
Transport International Magazine
accessibility | site help | site map
ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR | +44 20 7403 2733 | mail@itf.org.uk