WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The House of Representatives sent a strong message today by condemning the government of Iran for imprisoning two union leaders, Teamster General President Jim Hoffa said Tuesday.

The two men, Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo, were arrested and incarcerated earlier this year. The House on Tuesday approved a bipartisan resolution demanding their immediate release. The resolution, H.Con.Res.203, was introduced by Reps. Robert Andrews, D-N.J., and Mark Kirk, R-Ill.

"This resolution reaffirms our support of workers in Iran as they try to bring political freedom and individual liberty to their country," Hoffa said. "Mahmoud Ahmadinejad must end this persecution of labor leaders."

Salehi, founder of the Saghez Bakery Workers Association, has been jailed in the Sanandaj prison since April 9 without access to the dialysis treatment he desperately needs.

Osanloo, president of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs (Vahed) Bus Company, is being held in Iran's notorious Evin prison after a gangster-style arrest on July 10. He has a chronic heart condition and a serious eye condition that requires immediate surgery, but he is given no access to medical or legal assistance and no contact with his family.

Hoffa sent a hand-delivered letter in August seeking freedom for Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo to Iran's diplomatic mission.

Hoffa has also asked Teamster pension fund managers to divest shares in companies that do business with Iran.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada.

Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters