THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER

19

POLITICAL
wa) ACTION

The 1965 Federal election,
and the more recent Provin-
cial election, proved that the
IWA has gained stature in
the political life of the pro-
vince.

Trade union members elect-
ed to the House of Commons
and the Legislature have
served the public, as well as
their fellow unionists, with
credit. An increasing number
of staff representatives en-
gaged in campaign activities
successfully demonstrated
their organizing skills.

The 1WA now has a core
of political activists, adept in
modern campaigning tech-
niques. An increasing number
of IWA members acknowl-
edge that political action is a
necessary accompaniment to
economic action. ‘Lhe IWA is
now a force to be reckoned
with in the political arena.

This trade union political
action has gained increased
public support for the revision
of labour laws in the province,
especially with regard to em-
ployer abuse of injunctions. It
has also helped to stir public
demand for curbs on prices
and profits, and necessary so-
cial measures.

Important progress was ac-
complished by the Regional
Political Education Commit-
tee under the chairmanship
of Regional Ist Vice-President
Jack MacKenzie, who is also
chairman of the P.E.C. Com-
mittee of the B.C. Federation
of Labour. Acting in concert,

the two committees promoted
substantial aid for the New
Democratic Party in the past
year’s election campaigns,
mainly by recruiting and as-
signing capable personnel for
campaign duties and encour-
aging the support of trade
unionists.

The Regional Committee
has aimed at the formation of
Political Education Commit-
tees at the Local Union and
job levels to keep members
informed on political develop-
ments affecting their welfare.

Attention has been given to
the problems of Local Union
affiliation with the New De-
mocratic Party, caused by re-
strictive provisions of the La-
bour Relations Act (Bill 42).
Acting on legal ‘advice, vari-
ous solutions are receiving
consideration. In the mean-
time, more trade unionists
are becoming active in con-
stituency associations through
individual membership.

The influence of [WA mem-
bers in the capacity of dele-
gates has had importance in
the policy-making of NDP
conventions, as well as in the
party’s administration. Close
liaison has been maintained
with NDP M.P.s and M.L.A.s
to secure legislative attention
for IWA interests.

IWA participation in a ser-
ies of political action confer-
ences under the auspices of
the Canadian Labour Con-
gress is now in the planning
stage.

BOB STRACHAN, Provincial Leader of the N.D.P., ad-
dressing overflow crowd at mass rally in Mount Pleasant
Legion auditorium during the final stages of the 1966

campaign.

.

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N.D.P. SUPPORTERS from various constituencies listening attentively to
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