UAW International — denies Communist’s appeal By ALF DEWHURST The International Executive Board of the United Auto Wor- kers has denied the appeal of Jim Bridgewood against the Oakville UAW Local 707 action in removing him from all union offices last May 26th, for reason of ‘being a member of the Com- munist Party. Bridgewood was chairman of the Local’s Civil Rights Com- mitte and senior delegate to the Oakville and District Labor Council at the time. It should be noted that Bridgewood was well known as a Communist at the time of election to these posts. The Local acted under the authority of the UAW Interna- aitonl Constitution, Section 8, Article 10 which prohibits mem- bers of the Communist Party from holding office in the union. The meeting took this action under the strong prompting of Local Union President Bruce who claimed that Bridgewood's running as a candidate of the Communist Party in Hamilton East in last year’s general elec- tions had created adverse publi- city for the union in the com- munity. Immediately following this action by the Local Union the central office of the Communist Party protested to International President Reuther on the grounds that the Local’s action violated Canadian democratic tradition, and was in contradic- tion to Canadian parliamentary custom and political practice governing the rights of political parties in Canada. The Party's letter to Interna- tional President Walter Reuther, dated June 5, 1968 cited Section 1 of the Canadian Bill of Rights, sub-sections (b) and (e) in par- ticular as being pertinent to Bridgewood’s case. These sub- sections declare (b) the right of the individual to equality before the law and the protection of the law, and (e) freedom of as- sembly and association. The Party’s letter pointed out also that sources basically hos- tile to unionism in Canada were trying to utilize the Local’s sus- pension of Bridgewood from union office, and the circum- stances surrounding its carrying through (violation of the union constitution in the manner of laying charges, notification, trial and defense) to discredit the union in the eyes of the public. The letter pointed out also that these same sources were pub- licly urging Bridgewood to sue Local 707 under the Human Rights Code of Ontario; but, naturally, Bridgewood rejected that anti-union “advice” prefer- ring to place his trust in the good judgement of the union and his fellow members. Reuther replied to the letter of the Communist Party on June 11th advising that Jim Bridge- wood could appeal Local 707’s action under Article 32 of the International Constitution, Sec- tion 6 if he deemed the action taken was unfair and in viola- tion of the Constitution, or any law of Canada. Subsequently on June 21, 1968, Bridgewood appealed to the International Executive Board against the action of Lo- cal 707. Bridgewood’s appeal was based on the grounds that Sec- tion 8 of Article 10 does not ac- cord with (a) Canadian custom, practice and law pertaining to the formation, recognition, rights and responsibilities of po- litical parties in Canada; and (b) the legal rights of Canadian citizens, in the course of their lawful pursuits, to membership in the organizations and politi- cal parties of their choice. The Appeal pointed out that the Communist Party partici- pates freely in all aspects of the democratic life of Canada; con- tests elections for public office at all three levels of govern- ment; that its members have held office in the House of Com- mons and in Provincial Legisla- tures, and, at the present time its members hold office in a number of municipal govern- ments across the country; and that the Party is recognized, and appears before government bodies and commissions con- ducting public enquiries. And, further, that there is nothing in Canadian law or po- litical practice excluding any member of a trade union from standing for, or holding union office for reasons of political affiliation. The Appeal cited the position of the Canadian Congress of La- bor, which the UAW in Canada is affiliated to, on the above- mentioned facts of Canadian law and practice. The CLC’s Code of Ethical Practices, Sec- tion 3, quoted in part in the Ap- peal states “Each member of a union shall have the right to full and free participation in union self-government,” and (c) “to stand for and hold office, subject only to fair qualifica- tions uniformly imposed.” The appeal argues in the light of the foregoing that Section 8 of Article 10 of the International Constitution has no legal vali- dity in Canada and should not apply to the Canadian Region of the International Union, and that further, it places the United Auto Workers above the laws of Canada. On the basis of this reasoning, the Appeal submits that the provisions of Section 8 of Art- icle 10 which prohibits members of the Communist Party holding office in the union should be ruled non-operative in the Cana- dian Region by the International Executive Board. The Appeal, draws attention to Article 52 of the International Constitution which makes pro- vision for such a ruling in its first six lines which read: “The International Executive Board may, upon application, exempt, PACIFIC TRIBUNE—MARCH 14, 1969—Page 4 ESTs in whole or in part, all Local Unions in the Canadian Region from application of any amend- ments to this Constitution where such amendments were adopted to provide with conformity with United States legislation.” The Appeal argued that the same concept embodied in Arti- cle 52 should, in the true spirit of internationalism, apply to those parts of the International Constitution which conflict with Canadian law, custom and prac- tice. Such an interpretation, the Appeal stated, would conform with Canadian reality. And, further, it would assure demo- cratic public opinion in Canada, that the International UAW stands, without equivocation, for democracy within the union, equality of union rights and re- sponsibilities, and respect for the laws and customs of Cana- dian political life. It would serve also, said the Appeal, to give meaning to the excellent statement on civil li- berties adopted at the 21st Con- Stitutional Convention of the International UAW. And would serve also to strengthen and unite the ranks of the Canadian Region of the Union around the progressive policies of the Inter- national, aimed at advancing the whole labor movement of the North American continent for- ward in its long struggle for eco- nomic and social justice, peace in the world, and democracy and progress at home. Almost 8 months after re- ceiving Bridgewood's Appeal the UAW International Execu- tive Board ruled to deny the Ap- peal. In its findings the Internation- al stated that the facts of the case are not in issue, that the Appellant ran for public office on the ticket of the Communist Party and that the Local Union removed him from all offices in the local union under Article 10, Section 8, which makes ineli- gible for union office those who are Communists, Fascists or Nazis. The International states there is no issue in this case as to the legality of the Communist Party in Canada. The Communist Party is a recognized political party. It runs candidates and has had its members elected to office in Canada. Then the International finds “nothing in Canadian law, how- ever, which forbids the UAW, a voluntary association, from determining that certain persons shall be ineligible for office. We, therefore, find no conflict be- tween the law of Canada and Article 10, Section 8. The UAW Constitution has not attempted to judge the legality of the Com- munist, Fascist or Nazi parties; nor has it restricted the belief or association of Canadian citi- zens, All that Article 10, Section 8 does is to restrict the privi- lege of holding office in this Un- ion to those members, other Jim Bridgewood campaigning in last year's federal election. than Communists, Fascists and Nazis.” (my emphasis). The reasoning of the Interna- tional is strange indeed. They . are trying to defend indefensible positions. Of course, there is no law in Canada which prohibits a union or anyone else from dis- criminating against a Commu- nist. Neither is there a law which demands of unions that they do discriminate. But the Canadian Bill of Rights does proclaim the right of equality before the law. And the CLC Code of Ethical Prac- tices does proclaim that every union member can stand for and hold office “subject to fair qual- ifications uniformly imposed.” Section 8 of Article 10 of the International Constitution is a relic of one of the darkest per- iods in U.S. political history — the McCarthy era. It was writ- ten into the UAW Constitution in order to protect the Union’s legal position in the U.S.A. under the Taft-Hartley and Smith Mc- Carran Acts. These Acts have never been operative in Cana- dian law. In fact, it is fairly well known that UAW International Officials of that time gave sol- emn assurance to hesitant Cana- dian UAW members that the Constitutional amendment that is known as Section 8 of Article 10 would not be invoked in Canada. But it has been invoked on occasion. It has been used against Bridgewood. It seems that some union officials would rather use this constitutional de- vice than submitting their lead- ership capabilities to the acid test of membership approval in free competition with progres- sive policy and militant leader- ship alternatives. Section 8 of Article 10 of the UAW Constitution is an anach-— ronism which mocks the gener- ally democratic and progressive character of the UAW. Its use against Bridgewood is not just a blow at his democratic rights as a good union member and a citizen of Canada, but is a blow against the union as a whole and every UAW member. It is a blow also against every trade unionist in the country. Anti-Communism is a weapon of the big corporations like the motor car firms, and of every reactionary element no matter where it is used. Its purpose is to divide the labor and progres: — sive movements — to weaken them in the face of big business assaults against living and social — conditions and aspirations of — the working people. It is used against all forward-looking per — sons regardless of party affilia- tion when it suits reactionary : purposes. Section 8 of Article 10 should be removed from the UAW In- ternational Constitution in the interests of the union and of la- bor solidarity. If this is not poss- ible because of U.S. reactionary legal restrictions, then the Dis- trict Council for the Canadian Region should insist that the International Constitution ex pressly exempt the Canadian Region from its application. The restoration of Jim Bridge wood's full union status should be a matter of concern to every Canadian unionist who cherishes democracy. As a matter of de — mocratic principle all union con- stitutions operative in Canada should incorporate the letter and spirit of Section 3 of the CLC’S — Code of Ethical Practices: “Each member of a union — shall have the right to full and — free participation in union self- government, and to stand for and hold office, subject only fair qualifications uniformly im — posed.” . ‘ .