New problems for unions Program for the labor movement to face onslaught of automation By BEN SWANKEY ae change and automation have brought new problems to unions in collective bargaining. The key issue, of course, is job security. Involved in this issue are eli- mination of jobs and layoffs, wage rates and new classifica- tions, severance pay, seniority, pensions and early retirement, advance notice and consultation. A major thorny problem is management’s practice of put- ting important production changes into effect during the course of the agreement without prior consultation with the union. This makes it difficult or impossible to negotiate any kind of orderly arrangement protect- ing the interests of the workers concerned. When unions challenge this practice of management, em- ployers usually resort to “mana- gement rights” clauses. This has caused the Ontario Federation of Labor to demand legislation that will give labor the right to strike during the life of an agreement. Most of the problems arising from automation can’t be solved at the bargaining table. They re- quire action at the level of gov- ernment. Unfortunately, the labor movement of our country has still to come up with an overall, comprehensive program to meet the menace and promise of auto- mation. What are some of the key is- HE decision of the Cana- dian Labor Congress to ’ launch a country-wide campaign during the month of February for medicare should be welcomed and ac- tively supported by those concerned with this issue Aim of the campaign is to compel adoption of the Hall Royal Commission’s recom- mendations by 1967, Canada’s centennial year. When the Hall Commission brought in its recommenda- ‘tions it declared: “This is not an idealistic dream, but a practical pro- gram, within Canada’s mate- rial and financial means . , . This is what the Canadian people should try to obtain. They should be satisfied with nothing less.” This view is not shared by By WILLIAM KASHTAN — sues that should be included in such a program? Here are some suggestions. Public control over the intro- duction of automation based on the principle that automation must be used to serve the needs of society and not just ‘the in- terests of a few employers. Such control can be truly democratic - Only if labor is represented on all government regulatory bo- dies; if labor is an equal partner in all decisions as to when, where and how technological changes will be instituted. A program of full-employment in an expanding economy. There is unemployment in our country not because there is no useful -and necessary work to be done, but only because employers and governments are not undertak- ing such necessary work today. Economic planning, a broad extension of public ownership, a great increase of social capital (in schools, hospitals, roads, parks, recreational facilities), re- storing control of our economy and natural resources to Can- ada, building up manufacturing industries to process our raw materials right here at home — all these can create more than enough work for all of us. The principle that every per- son is entitled to a job at de- cent wages or its equivalent in income, and that this is a gov- enrment responsibility. The shorter work week with no reduction in take home pay as the key to spreading the work around and creating more jobs. Increased _ productivity and increased profits warrant a seven or even a six hour day right now. Organization of the unorgan- ized, and particularly the white collar- workers. Only 30 percent of Canadian workers belong to unions today. . Retraining of workers at gov- ernment and employer expense with full wages during the per- iod of retraining. “IT'S OUR NEW AUTOMsti¢ THINKING MACHINE ToR ELIMINATING WORKERS WHO THINK, oo» ” Free education for our youth with all expenses paid up to and including university to equip our young people with the technical and scientific training needed in this age of advanced mechanization and growing automation. Early retirement on adequate pensions to create work for younger people while providing retirement in dignity for older workers, Can such a program be achieved within the framework of our present private enterprise system? Obviously some pretty drastic curbs would have to be placed on the powers of the big corporations. Automation could bring an unprecedented period of pros- perity and wellbeing for all Canadians, But not if employers try to take all the benefits for themselves, not if employers re- Strict production and keep up prices by price fixing. The likelihood is that auto- mation will produce an increas- ing demand for reforms, so that all of society may benefit from what this new scientific age makes possible. Labor should logically lead such a movement. It is today the main victim of automation. To- morrow it can be its main bene- ficiary. These reforms in society can- not be won through union con- tracts. They will be achieved only if labor asserts its full strength in the political life of our great country. —From The Fisherman ( ] a Growing problem of pollution throughout world’: In the above photo policem#s Tom Riches examines dead fp littering the shoreline at tlc mouth of the Niagara River! € Ontario. The fish were killed 7 pollution. iT ] 0 Some scientists think smog *@ an even greater cause of cant 4 than are cigarettes. A news 1@ ter issued by the Commun: Party in Hamilton last year ® vealed that 54 tons of dirt Pp square mile per month fel that city in 1962. Pollution is a growing pro lem throughout the world. Canada, a solution to the pro lem is hampered by the priva! n ownership of big industries. _ Medicare by 1967 \ the insurance companies, the Canadian Medical Associa- tion, or by some provincial governments echoing the views of these bodies. Nor is it shared by the federal goy- ernment. The government would rather make medicare an election issue than pro- ceed now with steps to im- plement the Hall report. On the basis of past per- formance it is possible to pre- dict that the government, having made medicare an election issue, might then move in the direction of some form of medicare in the dis- tant future, say in 1971. To recognize the nature and scope of the struggle in- volved one has only to look at the slow progress on the Canadian Pension Plan, the ‘counter pressures being mounted by employers against the Canada Labor (Standards) Act and the ceaseless efforts to whittle it down and delay its implemen- tation. The insurance companies are fighting tooth-and-nail against medicare and against any kind of medicare that is not limited and under their control. These are the same forces that continue to oppose the Canada Pension Plan. The monopolies are doing everything in their power to prevent adoption and imple- mentation of the labor code. There is still no assurance that either the Canada Pen- sion Plan .or the Labor (Standards) Act will be im- plemented in the forthcoming ~N session of Parliament. Along- side its country-wide cam- paign for medicare the trade union movement should like- wise press for these two im- portant pieces of legislation. What is involved is the people versus monopoly, the people’s health versus the greed of the insurance com- panies, adequate care and dignity for the aged versus the profits of monopoly, de- cent minimum standards for Canadian working people versus sub-standard condi- tions which brings profits to the big employers of this country. It is no accident that when these issues are coming’ up Premier Manning of Alberta calls for an alignment of reac- tionary forces, that CPR Pre- sident R.A, Emerson calls for: January 22, 1965—PACIFIC TRIBUNE—Page i a curb on the rights of tf 4 trade union movement, af! b that growing pressures 4 being mounted to restrict democratic rights of tra unions. q [ This growing attack on trade union movement a from the fact that today trade unions are in the f front of the struggle agait monopoly whether it is in U plants or in industries, or an all-embracing social curity system to meet needs of the majority Canadians. The struggle for progr n sive legislation is of conce™ to far wider sections th#? th just the trade union mov® ment. Because of this, alon_ side a campaign by the tra@ d union movement, there i need for a broad people am movement to compel govel™ ~ ment action and legislation The labor riovement hi ti set its sights on winnit®,, medicare by 1967 and it cals be done if the organized Jab c movement, in alliance will) others, really swings into a@ is tion.