Together we can and mu Unity was the theme for national union Despite difficult times, over 160 delegates from across Canada attended this year’s national convention = At the convention, below, was Harvey Arcand, then first national vice president. Brother Arcand would mark this year’s convention as his last, and has since retired for health reasons. the national officers’ report. = National IWA president Dave Haggard said that the IWA will continue to experience tough times in the months ahead and that unity is key for the national union. = Above: at the convention, podium were then national fifth vice president and IWA Local 1- president Sonny Ghag (I.) and national secretary-treasurer David Tones during the presentatio PHOTOS BY NORMAN GARCIA Union president make a call for unity in struggles ahead THE UNION HELD ITS 17TH Constitutional con- vention in Kelowna, B.C. between September 22-25 where over 160 delegates gathered. The convention, hosted by locals from B.C. southern Interior, took place at a time where the union membership has thousands of its members laid off — mostly due to the fallout from the U.S. - Canada softwood lumber war. Also threatening the union’s base membership are forest policy changes introduced in B.C. by the Gordon Campbell Liberals. National union president Dave Haggard, said changes the Liberals were making to the Forest Act are “like picking the wings off a fly,” and predicted closures of mill and logging operations as the government eliminates cut control provisions and eliminates tying timber to mills with no replace- ment measures. He said that in provincial negotia- tions the union has attempted to get the best deal for the union as a whole and took occasion to serve strike notice on coastal companies. Haggard said the IWA “will pull the (strike) trigger” if necessary. “When the IWA fights, we fight as one and we fight to win!” The union president made a call for unity to get through the hard times, as corporations and govern ments mount their attacks on working people. ie As is customary, delegates eee and discussed the officers’, organizing and safety reports. Policy, safety, legislative and constitutional resolutions also hit the floor. Guest speakers included (see photos) the IAM’s Rod Kelty and Randall Rice, the First Nations Summit's Chief Edward John, B.C. Fed president Jim Sinclair, OFL president Wayne Samuelson, CLC pres- ident Ken Georgetti, and special guest, former [WA Canada president Jack Munro. 10 | THE ALLIED WORKER NOVEMBER 2003