Ontario labor demands people’s energy policy TORONTO — Demands for an energy policy based on people’s needs, not corporate profits, and a deeply Serious examination of the issues surrounding the nuclear power debate, dominated the On- tario Federation of Labor’s two- aay aoetey Conference, March The conference, designed by the federation as a basis for detail- ing a more Comprehensive energy program at the 1980 OFL conven- tion slated for next November, examined several aspects of energy poilicy in Ontario in- cluding: renewable and alternate sources in response to the crisis in oil; the role of oil, gas and hydro in ' the development of an energy strategy for Canada; and the pros and cons surrounding the nuclear power debate. Delegates heard from, and re- acted to, a series of industry, academic, political and conserva- tion experts on the various as- pects of energy policy in Ontario. But what came through practi- cally every presentation was how the. grip over our energy re- sources held by the multi-national corporations robs Canadians of jobs, affordable energy, and a pol- icy based on conservation and use for the people’s benefit. Delegates saw how the control by multi-national oil companies over energy supply and energy policy inhibits the development of comprehensive conservation Jicies such as home insulation, and more rational and efficient energy use. They also saw how the energy monopolies are using the super profits extracted from homeowners and consumers at the gas pumps to expand their control into other energy sources and natural resources. ‘Labor’s Political Power But despite all of the expertise, the real solutions to the energy dilemma came from the dele- gates. United Electrical workers’ president C.S. Jackson focussed on the ‘tremendous political power’ the organized labor movement has, if it wants to use it, in forcing governments to adopt and develop energy policy in line with the people’s interests. Jackson said the. labor move- ment should mobilize itself around the demands for the nationalization of the petroleum industry and for the creation of ‘an all-Canadian east-west power -and energy distribution grid.” Only the multi-nationals have access to information on the real extent of oil and natural gas re- serves, Jackson pointed out. The federal government, or any other governments in the country have no objective basis for evaluating the extent of oil supply and re- serves. : Jackson reminded the confer- ence, that ‘“‘in every province in - the country where hydro power is produced, they ship that power south to the U.S. “‘There’s an intertie between the states in the U.S. from east to west and it’s Canadian electricity that is piped into that east-west network.” Jackson called it ‘‘the grossest sell-out of this country’s birth- right there ever was,’’ and said: “‘Our power and resources should be channeled into a network from coast to coast to unite this country like the railways did in the last century. “But for this. to happen’’, Jackson siad, “‘it is vital for the labor movement to go on a politi- cal offensive to demand an east- west power grid for all the energy we produce.” Ironworkers’ delegate Joe Grabek agreed with Professor Desmond. Morton in the panel discussing oil, gas and hydro in an energy strategy, when Morton, in outlining the history of Ontario Hydro declared, *‘energy belongs to all the people and not to any foreign-owned corporation.” Nationalized Energy Grabek developed the theme saying, ““when we’re talking about energy policy I can’t see how we can have one when multi-national corporations con- trol energy.’ He called for ‘‘an all inclusive’’ energy corporation which would also control the de- livery systems and power grids. ‘The profits of a nationalized energy corporation’, Grabek said, *“‘could be ploughed back in, to develop other energy sources and develop secondary industry. I don’t think there’s an energy shortage in Canada; energy re- sources and the so-called shor- tage are manipulated by the patter af ee to get more pro- ts33* Steelworkers’ delegate George Gilkes took his own party, the New Democratic Party and some in the labor movement, to task for past reluctance in demanding nationalization of Canada’s natural resources. “It’s almost ironic’’, the Local 1005 (Stelco) delegate said, ‘that it seems its fashionable and necessary for the labor movement to talk about nationalization. “The question was put before the NDP years ago and for the sake of political expediency was dropped,’’ Gilkes said. ‘‘We should have foreseen the need and necessity to promote it then, and not drop it from our plat- form.” On the contentious nuclear question, the delegates grappled with. the opposing viewpoints of Dr. Gordon Edwards of the Canadian Committee for Nuclear Responsibility, and W.G. Morri- son of Ontario Hydro, whose slick presentation glossed over the potential health risks sur- rounding nuclear power development. Long-term Effects Edwards projected energy conservation as a greater priority than expanding nuclear power capacity, saying it was more job intensive for the investment in- volved. Labor should be con- cerned about the long term effects of introducing nuclear tech- | nology, he said, and stressed the need for labor and the public to press governments and the nu- clear industry for more complete studies and information on the health effects of radiation and other health hazards of work in the industry. m Morrison argued that nuclear power was needed to replace oil as a dwindling energy source, that it was a clean industry, and that it would produce power more economically than most. other sources. The delegates focussed on the health aspects of the industry as a whole from mining uranium, re- fining it, and transforming it into nuclear energy, noting the risks workers are exposed to in radia- tion, and respiratory diseases, at all levels of the process. The Hydro representative questioned extensively about health precautions, and the safety of the nuclear installations, but his answers did little to win the workers to his position. UE delegate Tony McNulty, asked the question that seemed to’ be on the minds of most of the delegates at the conference. ‘‘Most of the propaganda we get from Ontario Hydro about the vir- tues of nuclear power seems aimed at justifying more sales of electrical power to the U.S.’’, he said. “Given what little we know about the health hazards and safety of the installations, is it worth the risk?’’ THESE STRIKES ARE. RUINING THE COUNTRY / THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW / < FEEL LIKE AN INCOME INCREASE New Winnipeg labor leadership promises militant action program Special to the Tribune WINNIPEG — The recent vic- tory by the left and centre forces in the Winnipeg Labor Council’s annual executive elections pro- mises to. point the city’s labor movement in a refreshingly new and progressive direction. Significantly, the development takes place as a prelude to the biennial conference of the 2.3-mil- lion member Canadian Labor Congress which takes place here in May. The new 13-member executive -headed by President Ewald Schentag of the United Food and ~ mining policies and direction of Commercial Workers Union, (UFCW) includes six women with Darlene Dzewit as a vice- president and Don Plowman of the Carpenters, a_ well-known Communist as a member at large. Dissatisfaction with the lack of leadership and bureaucratic be- havior of the former right-wing executive has been brewing among the labor council delegates for a long time. What led to the forging of left- centre unity around an alternative progressive slate was the recogni- tion of the need to mount a fight against the threat of so-called “‘right-to-work”’ laws; to’ estab- lish a functioning strike support committee to rally the united strength of the trade union movement behind every struggle of labor; to actively pursue new affiliates; and, to provide for grea- ter communication with, and input from, the locals in deter- the labor council. The defeated executive didn’t let go of the reins of power willing- ly. They tried to upset the election results by challenging the creden- tials of some of the newly-elected officers. An appeal was made to the CLC asking for a ruling on the legality of the vote. They even aired the internal council dispute in the daily press in their desper- ate effort to reverse the council members’ decision. However, these efforts all failed. The election results were upheld and the new executive was installed. The election victory is ex- pected by the delegates to open a new chapter in the labor council’s history. It is hoped it will reverse the council’s former reputation as a ‘‘do-nothing”’ and conservative body. Delegates expect that with the challenges facing labor in the 80s, the left-centre unity which pro- duced the new executive will con- tinue to grow and get stronger in . the days ahead, in the coming bat- tles to advance the interests of Winnipeg's working people and in building a stronger labor move- ment. Es ee eae U.S. government workers march against job cuts Nearly 1,000 Civil Service Employee Association members gather at the New York state capital to protest an attempt to cut 9,000 civil service jobs. Representatives of the union said the workers would withhold votes and support from any state lawmakers who vote to cut jobs or service. PACIFIC TRIBUNE—APRIL 4, 1980—Page 5