Labour

NDP ‘green policy’ seen in IWA push -

By FRANK COX

The word, it seems, is out to [WA-
Canada locals — get out there into NDP
riding associations, put forward candidates,
obtain positions of influence wherever pos-
sible.

It is certainly commendable for unions to
put a workers’ perspective forward and to
be in elected positions to be of some effect.
And the B.C. Federation of Labour’s exec-
utive council has reportedly been discussing
how to maintain the profile of labour in the

Campaign
on GST
demanded

Continued from page 1

The OFL resolution states that:

@ The labour movement con-
demns the proposed GST;

@ The Ontario Federation of
Labour will campaign for a day of
protest involving job actions to
defeat the GST;

@ The OFL will mobilize the
broadest forces against the Conser-
vative agenda by supporting coali-
tions between labour and commun-
ity organizations that can co-
ordinate job actions, public dem-
onstrations and other protest actions
to defeat the Conservative economic
agenda;

@ The OFL will join with the
Canadian Labour Congress, the
New Democratic Party, the Pro-
Canada Network and labour’s other
allies to act-
ively promote
progressive
taxreformand
the labour
movement’s
alternative
economic pro-
gram.

Also _ this
week, dele-
gates to the
B.C= Fed-
eration of GEORGETTI
Labour convention in Vancouver
were expected to endorse a resolu-—
tion calling on the labour federation
to “join the Canadian Labour Con-
gress and labour’s allies in a massive
national campaign” to scrap the
GST and to enact a fair and equita-
ble tax system.

However, it emphasizes that the
federation, in campaigning against
the tax, opposes any cutbacks in
programs or services as an alterna-
tive to the GST.

The resolution, drafted by the
convention’s resolutions committee
from nearly 20 resolutions submit-
ted by local unions, had not been
voted on by the 980 delegates at
press time. But it was expected to
receive unanimous endorsement.

It also calls on the Canadian
Labour Congress to “implement a
program of action including, if
necessary, job action or a tax revolt
in opposition to the GST.”

Earlier, in his opening address to
the convention, B.C. Fed president
Ken Georgetti told delegates: ““We’re
going to stop the GST — and if it
takes a tax revolt to do it, then let’s
get out and do it.”

12 e Pacific Tribune, November 27, 1989

NDP which has sought to put some dis-
tance between the party and the trade union
movement.

The recent publicity surrounding Connie
Munro’s (yes, union Jack’s better half)
IWA-backed slate that swept into leader-
ship in Vancouver Fraserview (seven out of
10 executive members, and 12 of 24
members-at-large) suggests this program is
a serious one. That this push by the TWA
sparked the response from the thwarted
Bernie Simpson that this was an “IWA
takeover” and that constituents should
“join the NDP if you are concerned about
IWA manipulation” should not cause trade
unionists much concern, considering the
source.

However, it does seem that there is more
intended by this campaign by the [WA-
Canada than just putting labour’s program
forward more effectivly. Vancouver Sun
columnist Vaughn Palmer’s suggestion that
Connie Munro “would support the NDP
leadership in standing off the extreme
demands of the environmentalists” might
be more than just speculation.

Consider in particular such develop- -

ments in recent weeks as the two court cases
launched by IWA-Canada locals, against
environmentalists in one instance, and
Native people in another, for damages as a
result of protest action. Include as well the
dire prediction of job losses as a conse-
quence of preserving relatively small areas
such as the Carmanah watershed and Stein
Valley and one might wonder if something
of a siege mentality might be setting in
among key sections of the [!WA-Canada and
that this might be the main impetus for this
campaign.

The suggestion here is a de-greening of
the NDP, the defence of jobs against con-
servationists and land claims — even at the
risk of sounding a little like the forest com-
panies who have exploited both worker and
resource without willing regard for labour,
the community or the ecology for all these
years.

As a former [WA member, and one who
as a fisherman has shared the insecurity of
working in resource industries, I can well
understand the hesitation in trusting one’s

livelihood to those that are in a position
“simply to enjoy our natural heritage and not

depend on it for survival. But it is precisely
the appreciation of what is at stake in eco-
logical sustainability and what is necessary
for our common survival, including our
jobs, that would cause me some concern
regarding what seems to be the prime moti-
vation for this push for influence.

Several points I suggest might be worth
considering:

@ Firstly, environmental concerns as the
number one public issue, do not stem fun-
damentally from some Yuppie fascination
with trees or mystic relationship with
nature. It springs directly from a growing
appreciation of the shortening fuse of an
ecological time bomb that will be just as
merciless if ignored as the nuclear arms
race. It has increasingly to do with demo-
cratic control over resource development,
of taking back our resources (that is, what is
left of them) from the exploiters for the
benefit of our communities — and workers
that inhabit and sustain them.

e Second circling the wagons at this
stage would seem to run counter to [WA-

~ Canada policy that should, I think, be seen

as pointing in a positive direction. [WA
forest policy, for instance, states: “We
commit ourselves therefore to programs
and policies that will establish forestry prac-

Labour Forum

tices that are fully consistent with the
recommendation of the United Nations
Commission on the environment and
development (the Brundtland Commis-
sion).”

It also notes that “IT WA-Canada has a
long history of active support, political and
otherwise, for responsible, sustainable fore-
stry and for land-use policies and systems
dedicated not only to sustainable forestry,
but to the conservation of valued life-forms
and the protection of the spiritual values of
our forests.” A number of progressive mea-
sures to begin to bring forest practice in line
with sustainability are proposed.

The IWA played a role in the B.C. Fed-
eration of Labour adoption of the “Tin- Wis
Accord” following last winter’s conference
in Tofino in which the IWA participated.
The Accord includes the pledge to “commit
ourselves to active support for the recogni-
tion by all non-Native governments of abo-
riginal title and rights...” and “to commit
ourselves to develop and implement mech-
anisms for Native people, trade unionists,
environmentalists, women, youth and oth-

ers to work together on a regional basis to
resolve resource development and envir-
onmental issues and conflicts and to further
the process of developing ‘peoples’ alterna-
tives to the policies of the present govern-
ment.”

@ Third, last year’s federation conven-

tion also identified with the process of tak- __

ing labour’s alternative program and
through coalitions such as “‘Tin-Wis”, uni-
ting Native, labour and environmental con-
stituencies into an alliance that builds a
social and political force that would sweep
the Socreds and their corporate agenda
right out of the province. In this connection,
from my slightly removed vantage and rec-
ognizing that many issues have yet to be
resolved such as defining growth and sus-
tainability, I would suggest that Green
NDPers, far from being irritants for trade
unionists in the IWA-Canada, should be
recognized as most valuable allies. They, in
fact, represent the popular and powerful
view that can be crucial to progressive elec-
toral success. That is the obvious concern of
us all.

Having IWA-Canada candidates in the
field and greater influence in the NDP
would likely make a contribution in press-
ing for labour’s program and alternative
policies.

But if indeed we do opt for short term,
short-sighted solutions and resort to that
“circle of wagons” the gun fire will inevita-
bly aim inward.

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