os THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER REVAMP POLITICAL PROGRAM FEDERATION COMMITTEE WARNS One of the most construc- tive reports submitted to the Federation that of the Political Education Committee whose chairman is Regional Vice-President Jack MacKenzie. The committee made a con- cise evaluation of the existing political climate in British Columbia and warned labour that action was needed now if its aims were ever to be ade- quately expressed by govern- ment, The following is the com- mitee’s report in full: “In the opinion of your com- mittee, the political education programme of the B.C. Feder- ation of Labour requires criti- cal re-appraisal and a planned re-vitalization of political ac- tivity by affiliates in order to realize the Federation's politi- cal objectives. “In proof .of this we remind convention delegates of the past year’s political events. PUBLIC RELATIONS “The determined public re- lations campaign on injunc- tions continued by the Feder- ation had little result except greater caution by the courts in the issuance of ex parte in- junctions d uring industrial disputes. In some instances the Social Credit government and employers continued to dis- play a vindictive attitude in the use of injunctions against trade unions. “The enactment of Bill 33, the Mediation Commission Act, with its threat of com- pulsory arbitration, was hail- ed by the employers and vig- orously protested by the Fed- eration, as the report of our Public Relations Committee indicates. UNIONS DEFIED “On this issue the Social Credit government has openly defied the trade unions, claim- ing support from groups of workers and the public. That labour’s protest went unheed- ed is indicated by the recent announcement by the Minister of Labour that the compulsory features of the Act will be proclaimed later this year. “This action by the Social Credit government, consider- ed in conjunction with the Ontario Rand report and re- strictions imposed by other provinces, reveals that the or- ganized employers are exert- ing their political influence using public relations facili- ties to throttle trade union strength. Unless trade unions act politically, free collective bargaining will become a com- plete farce. VOTING ANALYSIS . “Any analysis of the voting in provincial by-elections and the federal general election last June reveals what trade unions can do, if they choose, and the calamitous results when their efforts fall short of action required. In all cam- paigns| the NDP was the only party that advocated labour’s views clearly and decisively. The government made Bill 33 an issue in two provincial by- elections — Vancouver South and Revelstoke - Slocan. In Convention was Vancouver South, NDP trade unionist Norman Levi captur- ed a Social Credit seat and trade unionist Bill King held the Revelstoke - Slocan riding with an increased majority. “Organized labour had a heavy stake in the federal general election last June. Not only was wage restraint an is- sue, but many other matters on which trade unions had ex- pressed definite views such as housing, health, pollution and technical education. On all these questions the organized employers played their fami- liar role. DEVASTATING BLOW “The defeat of Tommy Douglas in Burnaby-Seymour was a devastating blow to trade unions and indeed to all Canadians because of his able championship of the people’s interests in Parliament. His return to Parliament in the Nanaimo - Cowichan - The Islands by-election to replace another able advocate for la- beur, the late Colin Cameron, is a “must” in view of the pre- vailing political threats against trade unions. These threats were clearly outlined by CLC President Donald MacDonald during his recent visit to this province. “Tn the federal election, the BC popular vote for the NDP declined slightly, which would indicate that many workers were overcome by Trudeau- mania and were fearful about “wasting their votes.” “We lost Tom Barnett and Bob Prittie, both of whom had steadfastly advocated in Parliament the views held by the trade union movement. Many of our younger candi- dates running in marginal seats also lost. UNION SUPPORT “In many ridings, trade un- jionists gave greater support than in previous election cam- paigns. An outstanding fea- ture was the number of politi- GLOVE PROBLEMS? SOLVE THEM WITH THESE WATSON GLOVES AND MITTS ‘MILL-RITE’ "GREEN CHAIN’ ‘LUMBER LOADER’ ATSON GLOVES cally-experienced trade union- ists who gave their full time to campaign activities. A num- ber of unions made notable and voluntary contributions in cash and kind as well as personnel. Had all unions con- tributed as generously many of the defeats could have been averted. “The members of your com- mittee served on campaign committees and assisted in promoting trade union partici- pation. “While much was done, much remained to be done. Campaigns are not won by a few weeks’ frantic activity before polling day. More ad- vance preparation is also vi- tally necessary. The experi- ence of this campaign dis- closes where our efforts must be exerted if we are to be successful in defeating the or- ganized employers’ intentions to accomplish the political de- struction of trade union rights and workers’ welfare. DEFINED OBJECTIVES “The objectives defined for your committee by previous Federation conventions were largely as follows: ° “A continuous programme of political educational activ- ity designed, through the use of trade union channels, to in- form rank and file members of political developments af- fecting their interests to en- courage their exercise of ‘the franchise and an intelligent choice at the ballot box. ° “To support the NDP in the establishment of NDP governments to which the Federation and the Congress stand committed, with provi- sion made for organized la- bour’s share in NDP adminis- tration and policy-making, the ultimate objective being gov- ernment by a broadly based people’s party, free from the domination of privileged in- terests. CHAIRMAN JACK MACKENZIE e “To promote the affiliation of local unions to the NDP for: the free expression of their political aims while maintain- ing complete autonomy in trade union affairs. This pro- vision enables access by trade unions to NDP nominating conventions and policy - mak- ing bodies. SITUATION TODAY “The situation as it stands today is that trade unions have adequate representation on the NDP provincial execu- tive and on constituency ex- ecutives where it has been ‘sought. In the industrial rid- ings qualified trade union can- didates have been nominated. In the Party’s present activi- ties, trade unionists are invit- ed to assist in a democratic development of the Party’s policy. with sufficient empha- ‘sis on laws governing labour- management relations. “Qur experience indicates a number of important require- ments: e “Loyal and active trade unionists should be encourag- ed to realize that, in the face of employer political action, greater attention is necessary for the promotion of political action by labour as a neces- sary and protective accompan- iment of economic action. Our rights to wage an economic struggle for wages and condi- tions are being seriously han- dicapped by adverse political decisions. e “Local unions should be encouraged to exercise their right of affiliation with the NDP to ensure that labour’s aims are adequately expressed on the floor of the Legislature and Parliament. We must end the old “cap in hand” ap- proach. FULL-TIME HELP “The importance of this work demands full-time su- pervision as well as co-ordin- ated Federation attention. A voluntary committee made up of trade union officials who already have heavy trade un- ion commitments will no long- er suffice. It has been ex- tremely difficult to maintain continuity of effort and secure the participation of heavily burdened trade union officials. “We therefore recommend: ° “That this convention re- solve to give higher priority to political action in support of See “POLITICAL” —Page 7 SHOES THAT REALLY FIT! 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