OUT OF THE GATE Continued from page 7 The obvious weakness of the ‘Turner camp and the Liberal Party’s well documented problems could see them fade quickly. It is not unthink- able that this could come down to an election being fought between the Tories and the New Democratic Party on the most fundamental of issues, Free Trade. The Mulroney Trade Deal is des- tined to be the major issue in this election. There will be no avoiding that. In fact, most voters will get sick and tired of hearing all about “The Deal”. But, regardless how much the issue of Free Trade sounds like a one note symphony, it is a symphony that must remain un- finished. Free Trade is all about the kind of country we want to live in. Yes, the deal could mean short term gains. But, the long-term impact means a weaker less identifiable Canada, and less jobs. Mulroney has been flying around the country lately giving away mil- lions of dollars in promises in a pre-election spending spree. In clas- sic Tory style he is starting early in his attempts to buy the election. The transparency of his generosity is obvious. What is not obvious is fall forit. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that an election had been bought with the tax payers’ money. whether the people of Canada will Munro. Since then he has run as 2nd and Ist V.P. without opposition. In a wide ranging discussion in his Vancouver office Bob Blanchard recounted some of the high points of his union activities. “I think that one of the highs for “I have always been able to trust Bob not to waver and to be loyal notso much to me but to the membership.’ Jack Munro me has to be when I headed the flying squad during the 1959 strike. We picketed down the old Black Ball Ferry. They were bringing in hot lumber and we headed down there with 150 men and shut the whole operation down. It meant a lot to the strike. I also think back to a trip I took to Russia with a delegation of six other IWA people, including Jack (Munro). It was a great trip, one that really expanded my view of the world. I guess when I was appointed HEALTH Continued from page 1 WHMIS, the federal government program, that is backed up by pro- vincial legislation will force employ- ers to properly label all hazardous substances. On the last day, the entire confer- ence will attend WoodExpo88,at B.C. Place Stadium. Delegates will be looking at the latest develop- ments in safety and noise reduction on equipment. All told there will be between 60 and 80 delegates attend- ing over the two days. 8/LUMBERWORKER/OCTOBER, 1988 BOB BLANCHARD consid rom page 5 a Canadian representative to the International Labour Organization was a real high too. It was an honour.” “I feel I have done a lot over the years. But, it still comes down to a simple satisfaction. I have been able to make IWA members lives a little bit better. I have seen their pay cheques increase dramatically and there is a lot of satisfaction in that.” National President Jack Munro reflected back on Bob Blanchard’s appointment as a Vice President in 1973. “The union was tearing itself apart at that time. There was a lot of infighting and it was hurting us badly. I was elected in ’73 on a platform of bringing peace to the Regional Council. I went right into the opposition movement and picked Bob. I have never regretted it. He played an important role in healing and bringing the union back to- gether. It is a tough job being a Vice President. I think that I can be a hard guy to work for. I have always known where Bob stood, I have always been able to trust him not to waver and to be loyal not so much to me but to the membership. I know that when Bob heads into the Prairie Provinces to negotiate that he is taking with him an intimate knowl- edge of our policies and that no matter how tough the going is, Bob will stick to his guns and deliver in the end. I know that we'll miss him more than he'll miss us. Don’t expect Bob Blanchard to spend his retirement sitting idly at home. He and his wife of 41 years Iris, plan on doing lots of travelling and enjoying their four kids and five grandchildren. Their first stop will be the eastern seaboard. Bob says, “it’s funny but most of the travelling I did was to other countries and I haven't had much opportunity to see places like our own country. We're dering around and going wherever we want. I’m sure there will be times T’ll miss it though, but only for a few moments. really looking forward to just wan- ° Free trade is all about the kind of country we want to live in. Yes, the deal could mean short term gains. But, the long-term impact means a weaker less identifiable Canada. Mulroney’s recent awareness of the environment is a perfect exam- ple. It is this very government that cut back the budget of the Environ- ment Department buy millions. Brian cancelled monitoring pro- grams and soft pedalled the issue of acid rain so as to not upset his good friend Ronald Reagan. Meanwhile the forests and lakes of central and eastern Canada are literally dying. Brian Mulroney is a political opportunist of the worst stripe. He went after the office of Prime Minis- ter not because he had a vision, not because he had ideas and wanted to carry them through. He lusted and attained power simply because it was his ambition to be Prime Minis- ter. He already had a full trophy room, this was the last piece. Now he is trying to hold onto the position simply for the sake of power and that is dangerous. As the election wears on and the campaign heats up let us not forget what Brian Mulroney and his co- horts stand for ... power, nothing more, nothing less. Brian Mulroney is a scary, scary guy. Don’t forget that on election day. A CANADIAN FIRST! tion of labour launched a first in Canada. A TV show about and by the working people of B.C. The half hour show being broadcast on BCTV for thirteen weeks is hosted by Scott Swanson and Judy Pal. It features the working people of B.C. and the companies they work for. In the first show there were features on the Hospital Employees Union, the BC Teachers Federation and a humour spot by well known actor Don Haron in his role as Char- 0 n September 4 the BC Federa- ‘lie Farqueson. IWA-Canada’s Clay Perry is featured weekly in a spot entitled Clay Perry’s Log Book. Clay has a vast store house of labour history rattling around both in his mind and office. Clay Perry’s Log Book shares some of that history with the people of B.C. The show is designed to hi-light the places where labour and man- agement come together, where there are areas of cooperation. To that end there is business sector participa- tion in the show by Petro Canada, B.C. Cellular and others. It is hoped that the forestry sector will become involved in sponsorship of the show. At present their are discussions underway with a num- ber of forest industry companies. B.C. At Work airs Sundays at 4:00 on BCTV and Wednesdays on CHEK at 7:00, be sure to tune in.