OR IWA-CANADA members across BC. the October 17 elec- tion NDP victory was just what they had been working for. After the ballots were counted, Mike Harcourt’s New Democrats picked up 51 seats in the provinces 75 seat Legislative Assembly to establish a _ clear majority for social democracy. The outgoing Social Credit party slipped to third place with 7 seats and the surprise Liberal party formed the official opposition with 17 elected members. “We've just got to say hats off to the NDP for hanging in there through all these years, remaining true to the aspirations of ordinary British Colum- bians — ordinary workers,” com- mented a delighted IWA-CANADA President Jack Munro. “In many ridings our members worked their butts off and took leaves of absences, work releases, and dedi- cated long hours of voluntary time,” said Munro. “At this point in time our Union feels a great deal of solidarity with the NDP and with those other working people of this Province.” The New Democrats had been awaiting the election for the past 18 months as scandal after scandal, cul- minating in the resignation of former Premier Bill Vander Zalm, forced the Social Credit Party to keep postpon- ing the election day. During the past year the government has governed the Province by the seat of its pants and the voters of BC. gave the NDPa large mandate for change. NDP newcomer candidate Penny Priddy defeated Socred Premier Rita Johnston by nearly 2,400 votes in the riding of Surrey-Newton to make the message loud and clear — no more Socreds! Also defeated in the election were Socred Labour Minister Jim Rabbit, Minister of Crown Lands Dave Par- ker, Municipal Affairs Minister Gra- ham Bruce, and Development and Trade Minister Howard Dirks. Alll fell victims to the NDP power sweep. When the Harcourt government takes power this month it will have its work cut out for it. Harcourt, the 48 year old former mayor of Vancouver has always appeared to be a cautious, consulta- tive decision maker, aware of the inter- ests of the labour movement. He is taking a pro-labour and a pro-business stance and has tried to woo the investment community with some basic guidelines: treat workers fairly, pay fair taxes, and don’t pollute the province. One of Harcourt’s major task will be to consult and develop new labour Union pushes Jor contract While the IWA is negotiating with B.C.'s forest industry employers dur- ing the worst economic downturn in over 30 years, the Unionis very intent on reaching a collective agreement with the best improvements possible for our members. Negotiations have been up and down since their start in early May and yet no clear picture of a final settlement appears on the horizon. Union negotiators feel a responsi- bility to reach a new agreement to create some stability in an industry which has seen its share of problems in the past few years. ; Current negotiations are pointed towards a multi year agreement rather than a one year deal as improvements to the pension plan in the Coast and Northern and Southern Interior regions are reliant on some long term remedies. Union negotiating chairman Jack Munro says that there are major ineq- uities in the plan which must be addressed. The union and industry have struck a joint committee to bring Continued on page two NDP victory is a boost for workers laws to replace the scandalous Indus- trial Relations Act (Bill 19). That Act introduced in the spring of 1987 is held in contempt by the labour- management community. It has a very pro-employer tilt which has to be remedied in the near future. Also of interest to IWA members will be the manner in which the new governments deals with the recom- mendations of the Forest Resources Commission’s report which, among other things, suggests that there be changes in the province's tenure sys- T'S A FIRST! UNION e A BREAKTHROUGH FOR THE UNION — At Hanford Lumber Ltd.'s yard in Rexdale, Ontario, IWA-CANADA Local 1-700 has negotiated some new contract language covering Occupational e WE DID IT! Premier-elect Mike Har- court proudly displays newspaper which says it all. tem, and more competition in the log market. The NDP has also pledged to work with labour, environmentalists, and native groups in seeking a “Jobs and Environment Accord.” The agree- ment pledges to resolve native land claims, maintain employment, and protect the environment. — See NDP win in Sask. page 3 Photo by David Lane A CALL FOR ONE BIG UNION At this year’s convention IWA president Jack Munro said it’s time to get serious about a merger with the pulp unions. PAGE 8 NO MORE “FREE TRADE” DEALS Union delegates say no toa Mulroney style trade deal and demand that the federal government pursue an alternative Policy. PAGE 12 A TOUGH YEAR FOR ORGANIZING Delegates were told that the deep economic recession in combination with anti-union labour laws have hampered efforts to expand union. PAGE 10 VOTE OF SUPPORT FOR ZEIDLER STRIKERS The National Convention sent a message of solidarity and support to striking Alberta woodworkers, out at two plants since '86 and’88. PAGE 9 SCORES ON SAFETY AND COMPENSATION sR Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation procedures. Left to right are Kris Lavallee, Walter Keats, Calvin Fudge, Law- rence Cahill, and Wesley Canning.