Samuelson.

= Above left was Brother Haggard with guest speaker Chief Edward John, from
the First Nations Summit of B.C. Above right (I. to r.) were Local 1-405’s Doug
Singer and Local 2171's Harry Bains, who presented resolutions on behalf of the
resolutions committee. Below, pictured at the head table were (I. to r.) then
national fourth vice president Joe da Costa, then national second vice president
Norm Rivard, and national secretary-treasurer David Tones. Bottom left and
right, respectively, were guest speakers Jim Sinclair, president of the B.C.
Federation of Labour and Ontario Federation of Labour president Wayne

= Above left was Williams Lake Local 1-425’s Garfield Lamb who
spoke on the pressure that members are facing during the softwood
lumber dispute and Local 1-85’s George Rogers who spoke on safety
resolutions. Below were New Brunswick Local 306 president Mario

Fortunato (I.) and local delegate Dave Andrews.

Spirited debates and discussions characterize convention

THIS YEAR’S CONVENTION was characterized by
vigorous debates on a number of issues and resolu-
tions. One of the most significant resolutions passed
directed the national officers to aggressively pursue
merger talks with a larger, compatible union (see arti-
cle page one). The convention also endorsed union
support for social democratic candidates that support
working people.
Safety resolutions that had significant debate
included getting full first aid coverage for crews of all
sizes and proper supervision for working alone. A res-

olution calling for legislation to persecute companies
for corporate manslaughter was passed in order to
pressure for safer workplaces.

Speakers demanded putting a halt to the contract-
ing out of bargaining unit work in logging on the
coast of B.C. — an issue that is central to contract
negotiations. Weyerhaeuser’s union-busting efforts
were soundly condemned by several speakers.

There was significant debate over halting privatiza-
tion of Crown corporations such as BC Rail and
Ontario Hydro. IWA efforts to organize workers in

newly privatized health care operations in B.C. drew
ample debate across the convention floor, as the
union continues its work in that area.

Local union delegates spoke out against the dis-
mantling of the Forect Act by the provincial Liberals,
the export of raw logs, and U.S. protectionism on soft _
wood lumber.

In memory of the late IWA national secretary-trea-
surer Terry Smith, the Community Savings Credit
Union unveiled a $100,000 trust to assist students —
with further studies (see photo page fourteen).

12 le THE ALLIED WORKER NOVEMBER 2003