WH ¢ I.W.A. CANADA National President Dave Haggard gave a big thumbs up to the union’s organizers. Haggard’s speech pumps organizing Tn his second address to an I.W.A. CANADA Constitutional Convention, National President Dave Haggard, devoted a good part of his speech to the convention theme of “New Mem- bers, New Ideas.” The annual convention, which was held in Vancouver, B.C. between September 14-17, was attended by 183 dele- gates from seven provinces across Canada. “At the last convention (in Thunder Bay, Ontario) we had challenges put before us and our delegates forged a new path for the I.W.A., forged a new way of doing business, a new way of organizing the unorganized, a new way of diversifying to protect those (traditional mem- bers) that are so important to us in our base of the forest industry which we can’t and never should forget.” “We have reached out into industries unheard of before,” said Haggard. “The Canadian Auto Workers get front page news across this country for organizing McDon- ald’s. So what do we do? We organize the peo- ple that make the slides in the toylands while those kids are in eating those greasy hamburg- ers.” Haggard later introduced new I.W.A. Local 1-3567 member Tom Aikman, from Delta Play equipment, to the convention along with four other new union members (see story page one). “We have now organized hotels, motels, (and) plastic factories. The adage that we used last year — if it walks, talks and looks like a worker, they should belong to the I.W.A. — is coming to fruition.” Haggard pointed out to the fact, that since the last convention and before the end of April, 1998, the I.W.A. has trained 130 new organiz- ers. In every local across the country there are trained people ready to go. He said that “in spite of the laws in some provinces, the I.W.A. and our new organizers have reached out and touched over 8,000 peo- ple and have given them an opportunity to belong to the I.W.A. “We did that in spite of the hardships and in spite of the 8,000 people that are laid off in our eonimunifies on the west coast of British Colum- 1a. “We still opened those doors to give people the basic rights of dignity and pride and the right for their children to have a future,” said Haggard. “And I think that’s what we’re all about.” He predicted that as more people find out about the I.W.A., and learn about what kind of union it is, “they’re going to flock more and more to our doors to sign up.” He also said that by building the union stronger “we'll make our union grow to protect our foundation in the forest industry.” Haggard said that, in the majority of provinces, labour laws are stacked against union organizing. “Whether you go east or west — it makes no difference,” said Haggard, who said that only B.C., Saskatchewan and Quebec have some equitable labour laws. “Every other province across Canada has right wing, reactionary labour codes and labour laws that are merely toadies to the boss and to the corporations that pay their funds and pay their way.” He singled out Alberta as the single worst province to organize in and said time after time the I.W.A. has signed up a majority of workers in a drive, only to later lose a vote. “Guess what happens,” he exclaimed. “The boss goes in and fires a couple (of workers) and threatens the rest and we lose the vote.” “And the boss says that’s a fair and good province to do business in,” he said. “God help up us if we have those type of labour laws across this country.” Ist V.P. Neil Menard 2nd V.P. Harvey Arcand / on ¢ 8rd V.P. David Tones ¢ 4th V.P. Norm Rivard e 5th V.P. Wilf McIntyre Sec.-Tres. Terry Smith 1.W.A. CANADA national officers elected by acclamation Following the delegates’ endorsement of a con- stitutional change allowing four year terms for the positions of national officers, nominations were heard from the floor of the 1998 convention. Former Local 1-417 President Kevin Kelly was present to conduct the proceedings. Local 1-85 President Larry Rewakowsky nomi- pam Dave paaeerd for his second term a office. laggard accep’ e position as national union president by acclamation. National First Vice President Neil Menard accepted another term in office by acclamation following his nomination by Local 1-184 Presi- The position of Second Vice President, left vacant by a retiring Fred Miron (see story pages 27-28) was filled by former Fourth Vice Presi- dent Harvey Arcand who was also elected by acclamation. He was nominated by Local 1-425 President Brian Symmes. Third Vice President David Tones was re- elected to his position by acclamation, following nomination by Local 1-3567 First Vice President Barry King. The Fourth National Vice Presidency was filled by former Local 2995 President Norm Rivard was nominated by his local’s First Vice President Damien Roy. Following the recreation of the position of Fifth Vice President, Local 2693 First Vice Presi- dent Joe Hanlon nominated his local’s president, Brother Wilf McIntyre, who won by acclamation. National Secretary-Treasurer Terry Smith was once again acclamated to his position following nomination by Local 1-3567 delegate Gordie McIntosh. : The last nomination was for the position of a National Trustee, which saw Local 1-207 Finan- cial Secretary Bob DeLeeuw re-elected by accla- mation. He was nominated by Mike Pisak, Presi- dent of the Alberta local. LUMBERWORKER/DECEMBER, 1998/17