Labour Action still the key before election Most commentary on last week’s Canadian Labour Congress con- vention, by observers and the CLC leadership alike, has focused on the changes to the CLC constitution to address the long standing problem of inter-union raiding. The report of the CLC commit- tee on the constitution and struc- ture, headed by John Fryer, was predetermined to be the news from Vancouver. Shirley Carr and her CLC officials ensured that the pre- convention media focused on the - issue, and the report was the first major issue before the convention on the first day of the week-long congress. The emphasis on the raiding issue certainly ensured that the convention conveyed an impres- sion of unity — but that was only part of the larger story that was unfolding at the CLC convention. The fight against free trade has been the CLC’s calling card since the Mulroney-Reagan trade deal became a reality almost two years ago. The congress has spear- headed the country wide opposi- tion to the trade deal and it was decisive in the formation of the Pro-Canada Network. It was expected that this convention, held just as the legislation implementing the trade deal was about to enter Parliament, would advance bold new initiatives to pit the power and resources of the labour movement against the deal. The convention resoundingly reaffirmed labour’s determination to stop the trade deal, but it also signalled a significant shift by the CLC away from coalition building and independent labour political action in favour of an strategy Wilson which moved all the movement’s resources NDP election campaign. The emphasis on constitutional changes, and the consequent de- emphasis on the congress’ action plan against free trade was part of the shift. It was demonstrated most vividly on Tuesday when the major political and economic policy debates were scheduled. The economic policy report, including an alternative policy to free trade and an action plan to stop the deal, and the political action report on electing an NDP federal government were rolled into a single debate. Just before the debate had a chance to take on a life of its own, it was interuppted by a major address from Ed Broadbent, complete with a cho- reographed entrance and exit and videos flashing candid shots of the NDP leader mixed with “Ed for PM” slogans. The action plan itself is long on information meetings, seminars, schools and public relations to “get the message out” that the trade deal is bad for Canada, and short on mobilization of the labour movement. Although there were numerous resolutions submitted calling for economic actions such as a day of protest against free trade, there was no suggestion of labour into the Sunday, June 5th 12 noon to 6pm Websters Corners Hall 25470 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge Songs and Music Food @ refreshments @ children’s activities @ sports @ fun for everyone. | D | Haney For info — phone 251-1186 Dewdney Trunk Rad. | (1st light) Lougheed Hwy Proceeds to Pacific Tribune Websters Corners that, or of any escalating program that could lead to such action, in the CLC policy paper. That point was underscored Thursday when it was learned that Brian Mulroney would be speak- ing toa Tory fundraiser at a down- town hotel only five minutes away from the convention centre. Action Caucus representatives quickly proposed a demonstration, which was endorsed by the Metro ‘Toronto Labour Council dele- gates. The CLC executive council would have nothing to do with it, however, and Shirley Carr was jeered by delegates when she appealed to the convention to “ignore”? Mulroney and not offer him the publicity of a demonstra- tion. The decision was an obvious reaction to the Tory attack on the NDP over the demonstration a week before in New Brunswick and the alleged incident involving Mila Mulroney, and showed the readiness of the CLC leaders to shelve anything that might embar- rass the NDP. A demonstration took place regardless that heard Action Caucus representatives Dick Barry and Jean-Claude Parrot. The action plan did re-commit the CLC to establishing and work- ing within coalitions against free trade and the right wing agenda, and it was to this point in the pro- gram that speakers from the Action Caucus addressed them- selves. But it was not until the dying moments of the convention, as many were already leaving the “Why is the U.S. always on the wrong side?” Dr. Michael Parenti Washington, D.C. author & lecturer 7:30 p.m. Wednesda 1, May 25 Maritime Labour Centre 1880 Triumph Donation Sponsored by B.C. Peace Council 12 ¢ Pacific Tribune, May 18, 1988 convention hall, that the CLC leadership responded to the pres- sure and endorsed the Pro-Canada Network and the June 12 day of action against the trade deal. The new and significant coalition for social solidarity and its statement “Time to Stand Together”, was referred to only once during the convention, and that by Postal Workers’ president Jean-Claude Parrot from the floor. Speaker after speaker from the CLC executive council made the congress program explicit. Trade unionists should pour their resour- ces into a mighty effort to elect the NDP in the federal election. _ A revealing window on this debate was set up at an evening women’s forum, hosted by CLC executive vice-president Nancy Riche and featuring NDP MP Marion Dewar. When speakers from the floor placed their empha- sis on coalition building, Dewar expressed her dissatisfaction in sharp terms. She pointed to the recent nomination of a Pro- Canada Network leader by the Liberal Party as one harmful con- sequence of such diversions from the NDP. There was much at the CLC convention that the left could feel positive about. The alternative economic and social policy ad- vanced as an alternative to free trade was a positive continuation of the workers’ agenda drafted at nn the previous convention, and maintains the CLC on the left of the NDP on economic and social pol icy. e The overwhelming political des ire to achieve a historic federal elec- tion’ breakthrough for the was to be expected, and it is a POS tive force that can help politicize and mobilize for the coming elec tion. The extent to which independ ent labour political action woul be subordinated and sacrificed 1 electoral politics, however, Was surprising and largely underest- mated. The shift by the CLC lead- ership in this area opens up @ strategic gap that the left, as it did at the CLC convention, will have to fill in the councils of labour across the country. : Mobilization, political acon and coalition building were the themes injected from below by the Action Caucus at the CLC conven tion, even though they were included in a general way in the CLC action program. It wasn’t in the cards to make escalating action against the trade deal the news from Vancouver at this convention. 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