Editorial A forest policy for the future IWA-CANADA members should be proud that we, once again, have a comprehensive forest policy. Ours is different from that of both industry and government. While industry has its propaganda machine going full steam ahead and governments are paving the way for the further overcutting of forests and more environmental degradation, our union has estab- lished a fair policy towards achieving the goals of sustainable development. Our union realizes that we, as Canadians, have obligations which go far beyond our own borders. We have a responsibility in showing the world that resource extraction can be done in an environmentally sound way. If we turn our backs to the problem, the multi-national corpora- tions who freely exploit the world’s resources will not only ruin our environment but will also turn to ruthlessly plunder other resource based nations as well. IWA-CANADA members should also realize that as the world’s pop- ulation grows, and its resource base diminishes, our country remains a happy hunting ground for multinational corporations. Thus we will remain hewers of wood for some time to come. In the next decade foreign capital will flow in to our forest related industries at an ever increasing rate. Transnational corporations will come to our country to exploit with a colonial mentality. But we as working people must contain these powerful forces. That is why the basis of our forest policy is not centred upon the maximization of profit, but is rather centred upon the principle of sustainable development. Worker and community stability in the Canadian economy has never been a priority. Our forest policy must strive to make such stability a reality. _ The foundation of our forest policy is based on worker participa- tion. IWA-CANADA members must increasingly pay attention to the environmental and economic consequences at our workplaces. rit OF COURSE WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT GET THESE LAST FEW TREES, 1 fp / f UY ~S y THE ENVIRONMENT... AND 4S SOON AS WE ) We'LL TAKE A GOOD Look Ar ir! THERID RICE FOR THE LUMBERWORKER. In the months ahead it is the goal of the national and local union IWA-CANADA to explain our new the general public. forest policy to the membership and For more than 50 years IWA-CANADA members have shown active support for sustainable forestry and the conservation of valued life-forms. With the same type of IWA grass roots activism, we can show the public and industry, and government that the creation of good jobs and protection of the environment can be one and the same. Beware the preservationists Dear Editor, : I’m a logger and proud of it and I’m mad, real mad! The preservationists’ attacks on the forest industry, cou- pled with an unfinished agenda, will have alarming ramifications on the IWA’s rank and file. The preservationists have been par- ticularly careful not to direct their unrelenting and persistent attacks on the IWA, instead directing them at the forest industry giants. If they can destroy these companies’ credibility then their appeals to set aside huge areas of the forest land base into wilderness parks will garner an LUINBER WORKER BROADWAY eot@BBO> prINTERS LTO. Official publication of IWA-CANADA NORMAN GARCIA, Editor 65th Floor, 1285 West Pender Street Vancouver, B.C. V6E 4B2 pe ee. President Ist Vice-President 2nd Vice-President JACK MUNRO GERRY STONEY. NEIL MENARD .. FERNIE VIALA . 3rd Vice-President BILL POINTON .... . 4th Vice-President ROGER STANYER .. . 5th Vice-President TERRY SMITH..... Secretary-Treasurer instant and sympathetic response from the general public. Who are the real people that make these forest industry giants tick? It’s you and I and there are tens of thou- sands of us, so who are the preserva- tionists really attacking? We are being completely left out of the picture and yet we are the shock troops on the front line. Last week, I questioned a preservationist about what would happen to hundreds or possibly thousands of woodworkers losing their jobs if these wilderness parks are formed, and he said, “Well, they can move somewhere else!” What acallous, flippant answer. Try telling that to your children! What is even more alarming is the preservationists’ unfinished agenda. They have been repeatedly accused of having an unfinished agenda and yet they vehemently deny it. Unfinished Agenda? Take a look at TFL#44, on Vancouver Island’s southwest coast. A year and one-half ago the only area under attack in TFL#44 was the Carmanah Valley, which represents 1.8% of TFL#44. Now TFL#44 is under siege with almost 20 times, an astounding 33%, targeted for preservation. This is a perfect example of an unfinished agenda. My question is, “ Where will it all end?” Recently, at a Ministry of Forests conference, I observed Vicki Hus- band, the Conservation Chairman of the Sierra Club, trying to solicit more areas for preservation on B.C.’s mid- UMBERWORKER ETTERS coast. Not only content with a three year logging moratorium on the Khutzeymateen Valley, she wanted more. Again, an unfinished agenda! To all IWA members I make a passionate plea, if you are concerned about your job, your future and your dreams, GET INVOLVED! These days, it’s simply not enough just to go to work. Attend meetings. Make preservationists accountable for what they say. I would like to acknowledge two very hard working IWA members who are definitely making a difference in the forest land-use controversy. Claire Dansereau, the Forestry and Envi- ronment Planner for IWA-Canada and Clay Perry, director of IWA- Canada’s Environment and Land Use Mopar ment, are doing an exceptional job. They do a lot of travelling and attend a lot of meetings on our behalf. I’ve seen both of them in action and their defence of the IWA is comforting and inspirational. Talk to Claire, talk to Clay, encourage them and give them a pat on the back. Keep up the good work Claire and Clay. Don’t you think it is time to help them? It’s for your own good. Fraternally yours, Kevin Hunter Local 1-85 The LUMBERWORKER welcomes letters from its readers. Letters must be signed with an address and phone number as the editor may wish to confirm authorship. CANADA Letter to Jack Munro The following letter was addressed to IWA-CANADA President Jack Munro. The author was writing on behalf of the Mike’s Food Store Employees in Kapuskasing, Ontario who have been locked out by their employer since December, 1987. Dear Brother Munro: I would like to thank you and IWA- CANADA for your generous financial support given us just recently and for last Christmas 1988, it is very much appreciated by all members here in Hearst. Although this has been at times a long uphill battle, your continued financial and moral support since day one is ever so assuring and most helpful in our ongoing labour dispute. Thank you for your expertise, knowl- edge and guidance and also to our Local 1-2995 Union members in Kac puskasing for all their efforts in bring- ing this labour disput closer to a set- tlement. Your continued support is most appreciated, as you will always have our support. Wishing you and your members a Happy Holiday Season. Fraternally, CAROLE ADAMS A Proud Member of Local 2995 — Kapuskasing, Ontario LUMBERWORKER/DECEMBER, 1989/5