They have pushed to keep Iraq's resources in the hands of Iraqis, while the union remained independent of any political parties and influences from the foreign occupation.
Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) led this, and was also militantly removed by the SOCU workers, along with subcontracted laborers.
With threats to strike, the union was able to gain wage increases over what the United States-led occupation was willing to pay.
KBR eventually took over much of the administration of the oil industry, although resistance in the form of strikes in June and August of that year, and blockades, continued.
In May 2005, the GUOE organized a large conference against privatization with hundreds of unionists and representatives of other international groups.