“ Seymour: ‘WORST IN NORTH AMERICA’ Socred labor laws scored The anti-labor record of the Bennett government has come under sharp fire from leading spokesmen of the New Democratic Party and Com- munist Party. Speaking in Courtenay, NDP leader Robert Strachan charged that the Socred government “is on the Side of big business,” Meanwhile Vancouver East Communist candidate Homer Stevens told a meeting of 200 Carpenters at an all-candidate meeting last Friday that “the Social Credit government has shackled and tied down the labor movement with some of the worst labor laws in North America,” Stevens charged that the purpose of Bennett’s anti- union stand is “obviously to Create a favorable climate for the foreign monopolies who are rapidly taking over B.C,’s natural resources.” In his speech Strachan call- ed for a new B.C, Labor Code which, among other things, would abolish the use of ex parte injunctions in labor disputes. He said that in the last ten years no less than 280 applications for injunctions have been made, Strachan said injunctions “load the dice in favor of the employer and vid 7, ee nullify genuine collective bar- gaining.” Other points in the NDP plan for a new Labor Code call for guarantees to all work- ers, including government employees, of the right to organize and bargain collec-_ tively; freedom for unions to take part in legitimate trade union activities without fear FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1966 VOL. 27, NO. 36 ieebnnnnnnssty Over 8,000 trade unionists took part in Toronto's traditional Labor Day parade this year which turned into a massive-3-mile long protest against injunctions. Photo shows postal worker's con- tingent in march. Bennett plots to dump bus system on public A demand that W.A.C. Bennett State the position of Social Credit On public transportation ‘now, before the voters go to the polls next Monday” was made this week by the three Communist candi- dates in Greater Vancouver. In a joint letter signed by Homer Stevens, Vancouver East; Maurice Rush, North Van.- and James Beynon, Vancouver Centre, the candi- dates charged that Bennett is planning to unload the transit system on the municipalities. The letter to Bennett said: “There are substantial indi- cations that, if re-elected, you intend to dump the transporta- ticn system on the municipali- ties with no further financial assistance, ; “Because the system is al ready losing money and surveys indicate the need for an immed- iate multi-million dollar expenditure in public transporta- tion, plus the already overburden- ed financial situation of Greater Vancouver municipalities, such a step by the B,C. government is unthinkable, *We are not opposed to the concept of a lower mainland tran- sit authority which would own and operate the transit system in this area, in fact, we believe such an authority would be closer to the real needs of transit and serve the area much better. “However, such an authority must only be established within the framework of a transporta- tion policy for the lower main- land which would spell out in detail the major responsibility of the provincial government, in- cluding capital investment in a mass transit system for the Greater Vancouver area. “Failure to make your policy clear at this time can only strengthen the belief amongst lower mainland voters that your policy will not stand public scrutiny.”* Last week it was revealed that B.C. Hydro official Einar Gunderson had admitted in pri- vate to Vancouver Mayor Rathie that the government intends to unload the transit system on the See TRANSIT, pg. 8 of reprisal; revision of the Workman’s Compensation Act to provide “sympathetic” treatment for injured work- men, setting up of an inde- pendent appeal tribunal. Speaking at the carpenters’ rally, Homer Stevens said that Socred Bill 43, which in 1959 repealed the old Trade Union Act, made all unions liable for lawsuits, It also laid down strict limitations on picketing and penalties for breach ofthe labor act, Stevens said that Bill 42 forbids unions donating to political parties and gives the Minister of Labor power to order a vote on any offer dur- ing a strike or lockout. He charged that these laws are designed to “restrict, hamper and interfere with organized labor’s efforts toimprove liv- ing standards and working conditions,” Outlining his party’s stand, Stevens said the Communist Party calls for repeal of these anti-labor acts, “We propose to eliminate court injunctions and the. contempt-of-court proceedings in labor dis- putes,” “It is time for a complete overhaul of B.C.’s labor laws. Instead of compulsory arbi- tration, compulsory concilia- tion and compulsory media- tion, compulsory government- supervised strike votes, the law should’ only provide for voluntary mediation and con- ciliation,” said Stevens, He said that only by abolish- ing compulsory measures will a really free labor movement be able to defend and advance the best interests of its mem- bers without having to face a gang-up by big business, the courts and the government, KASHTAN CHARGES: ~‘Socreds favor — big monopolies’ William Kashtan, national leader of the Communist Party, told election meetings in Surrey, Shuswap and Victoria this week that “B.C, needs dynamic growth not on the basis of a giveaway program and the strengthening of the economic and political power of monopoly; but on the basis of sustained and independent eco- nomic development,” He said such development should utilize B.C.’s natural re- sources to build secondary in- dustries, ensure ever higher liv- ing standards and jobs for a growing labor force. It should also ensure decent housing, free education, improved health facili- ties and adequate pension for the people, Kashtan said “Bennett and his government talk a lot about their 7-year program of ‘dynamic growth’, but based on past per- formance the question could be asked: Growth for whom?” He charged that the basic policies of the government has been di- rected to benefit monopoly, Ca- nadian and U,S, alike. “The proof of this,” he said, “is to be seen in the fact that monopoly has grown immeasurably stronger and so has U.S, control over the B.C. economy.” — : Kashtan said the monopolies have been the main beneficiaries of.the boom while working people have had to satisfy themselves with crumbs from the rich table ~ of monopoly. “Workers gains have “been made not because Bennett .was good to them but because they fought to achieve them, despite injunctions and other anti-labor actions directed to weakening them, : The Communist leader said that dynamic growth is only pos- sible “if the scientific and tech- nological revolution is made to serve the interests of working people and of society, not the monopoly interests.” “That is why,” he said, “the entire labor movement is pressing for truly democratic labor laws which would enable them to have a say on how automation is to be car- ried out,” Kashtan said the Communist Party in B.C, has placed these questions in the forefront of the election campaign and merits the support of all progressive people, “If the railway strike demonstrated anything, it has See KASHTAN, pg. 8 WILLIAM KASHTAN, Commu- nist Party national leader, speaks at a wind-up election rally and supper Sat. Sept. 10, Fishermen’s Hall, 138 E. Cordova St., at 6:30° p.m. Vancouver candidates will © appear with him.