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AROUND THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

FTQ to increase labour action

@ The Quebec Federation of
Labour and the National
Confederation of Unions
oppose changes in labour
law introduced by Jean Charet’s
Liberals. In late November and early
December, union members demon-
strated against the newly-elected
government's attempt to gut public
health care service unions and facili-
tate contracting out without union
succession rights. The Liberals have
also infuriated the public by increas-
ing day care fees.

Local support CEP strikers
against Edmonton TV station
Local 1-207 president Mike Pisak said
the IWA will be “adopting a striker”
for the Christmas holiday as part of
the AFL's campaign to assist CEP
Local 1900 members who have been
on the line since September, 2003 for
a first collective agreement at the

independent A-Channel TV station in
Edmonton. The commercial broad-
caster has been scabbing the opera-
tion which was
organized in the
summer of 2002.
“This dispute shows
that in Alberta today, workers can
join a union and the employer can
simply refuse to bargain in good
faith,” says Brother Pisak. The AFL is
boycotting the channel and is leaflet-

PHOTO BY NORMAN GARCIA

= Many shoppers are concerned about where clothes are made as well as price.

from where consumer products origi-
nate and that about two-thirds would
avoid purchasing products if they knew
they were made under inhumane con-
ditions for workers.

But the CLC is careful to point out
that that the Ethical Shopping campaign
does not call for a boycott of such prod-
ucts, unless a boycott is supported by
workers affected. In some cases more
harm than good can affect workers.

Instead the guide suggests that by
being proactive, consumers can have
greater impacts and that merchants do
listen to their customers. The garment
industry often actively works to conceal
where and under what conditions their
goods are produced. By interacting
directly with merchant managers, con-
sumers can help flush out the truth.

The guide suggests Canadians sim-
ply tell manager that they purchase
clothes made under humane conditions
and that they should offer proof.

Consumers can ask for the names
and addresses of the contractors and
subcontractors that produce clothes and
attempt to find out if the company has
an enforceable code of conduct which it
can produce for consumers.

In short, the guide exhorts con-
sumers to say what’s on their minds.

David Tones, the IWA’s national sec-
retary-treasurer, says that anti-sweat-
shop campaigns are becoming more
prevalent and that the labour move-
ment is not only interesting in promot-
ing union-made products, it is taking

CLC promotes Ethical Shopping

BEFORE AND AFTER
their Christmas shopping
> binges, more and more

Canadians will be asking

on an important role in pushing for bet-
ter working conditions around the
world. “Labour in Canada is looking
outword in an increasingly global econ-
omy,” says Brother Tones. “It has decid-
ed that it’s sometimes better to use con-

ing businesses that advertise with it.

you can download in PDF form by visit-
ing the CLC’s website at www.cle-ctc.ca

In November the CLC launched the
consumers guide, in-time for the

Federation rallies support
behind IWA coast strikers
Delegates to this year's policy convention
of the B.C. Federation of Labour rallied

some tough questions Christmas season. “Every day, millions sumer pressure and put pressure on
supeatt fort ne WA. about where and under what condi- of people men women and children — politicians than call for boycotts that
during its dispute with | tions the apparel they are purchasing is _ work under sweatshop conditions with may have questionable results in the
the forest industry on made. Consumer scrutiny is increasing _ low pay, long hours, no benefits and lit. end.”
the Coast. They unani-

in Canada as more and more clothing
and other items that appear on store
shelves are produced in low wage ghet-
tos and sweatshops.

And there’s no guarantee that cloth-
ing made in Canada is not produced in
sweatshops too, points out the CLC.

To tap into growing consumer
awareness, the CLC has produced an
on-line Ethical Shopping guide which

tle protection from abuse or injury,”
says CLC president Ken Georgetti.
Choosing to purchase items that are not
made under these conditions is perhaps
one of the best gifts of solidarity
Canadians can offer to sweatshop work-
ers in Canada and in other countries.”
The Congress points out that a recent
poll revealed that 63 per cent of
Canadian consumers want to know

The guide also suggest that con-
sumers join to leaflet stores and hold
strategic rallies around back-to-school
and holiday shopping periods. It also
recommends support the Ethical Trade
Action Group’s campaign demanding
that Canada’s Industry Minister adopt
new disclosure regulations under the
Textile Labelling Act, providing con-
sumers the right to know.

BCFED

mously passed a res-
olution calling for
moral and financial assistance to IWA
strikers. Numerous fed affiliates visited
picket lines in the Lower Mainland and
throughout the province, during the
nearly four week dispute. “Once again
we thank all the affiliates for their unqual-
ified support to our struggle,” says IWA

=

secretary-treasurer David Tones.

Local participating in more
SFL classes and activities
Local 1-184 president Paul Hallen,
who is a vice-president of the SFL,
says the local is encouraging more
members to participate in CLC-SFL
educational compo-
nents. “Our member-
ship is taking an
active role in trade
(4 union education,” he
says. Hallen com-
mends members who got out to pro-
mote the NDP for its successful re-
election on November 5. He says the
local is participating in the fed’s
labour-to-neighbour follow-up cam-
paign, which is designed to make the
NDP not lose sight of labour issues.
Financial-secretary Harry Groenen, an
alternate on the SFL executive,
attends campaign meetings.

Fed organizing youth camp
The New Brunswick Federation of
Labour is already gearing up the
organizing of a summer youth camp
for next year. It will be the fourth
consecutive year of
hold the camp, which
invites high school
students to study
labour issues for a
two week period. The
bilingual camp, which will be held at
the University of Moncton, includes
participation on subjects such as
workers’ rights, health and safety,
and the history of the labour move-
ment. “Every year it has been full
with about 80 kids and next summer
should be no exception,” says IWA
Local 306 financial secretary John
Richard. The Miramichi and District
Labour Council usually sponsors a
participant to send to Moncton.

Local thanks MEL affiliates
IWA Local 324 members locked out
for 23 days at Prairie Forest
Products in Neepawa got solid sup-
port. Local union

@ business agent
Ce Chris T. Parlow
sends thanks, on
p—4 behalf of the work-
_—

ers, to MFL affiliate
members from the
area. At the time the dispute was
resolved, a sizeable rally was
planned on behalf of the workers
who had been locked out on
November 3. In other news,
Manitoba premier Gary Doer's
throne speech mentioned that the
NDP will pass new health and safe-
ty regulations worked on by the tri-
partite Workplace Safety and Health
Committee, which Local 830 presi-
dent Jack Alexander participated in.

OFL convention talks about
joint organizing strategies
In late November, affiliates of the
Ontario Federation of Labour, met to
discussion organiz-
ing strategies to
increase member-
ship, strengthen
ane humans rights and
OFL/FTO organize in commu-
nities. IWA national First Vice
President Norm Rivard says that the
union took particular interest in dis-
cussions on inter-union organizing
strategies. “The Fed is realizing what
we've been saying for some time —
unions have to get together in a con-
certed effort to organized in sectors
where one union can't do it alone,” he
says. “Places like Home Depot, Wal
Mart and Canadian Tire have tens of
thousands of workers that require rep-
resentation but have been intimidated
from doing so.” Rivard supports the
sectoral approach to joint organizing.

a

20 | THE ALLIED WORKER DECEMBER 2003