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