B.C. COMMUNISTS SEND AN >

Open

letter

to the NDP

The following Open Letter to members of the New Democratic Party was released Wednesday,
October 24 by Nigel Morgan, provincial leader, on behalf of the B.C. provincial executive of the Com-

munist Party:

We are addressing this appeal to members and
supporters of the New Democratic Party because
. we know there is wide and growing concern over
the sharp turn right taken by Premier Barrett and
his administration in Victoria — particularly in the
- new Labor Code.

It is no secret that there is bitter, and almost un-
animous dissatisfaction among British Columbia’s
250,000 trade unionists not only with a number of
key provisions of the new Act which have been
declared ‘‘completely unacceptable’’ by the B.C.
Federation of Labor, but also with the relationship
that has developed between the Barrett govern-
ment and officers and representatives of the trade

union movement, which played such a decisive part |

in bringing about defeat of the previous Social
Credit administration.

The fact that lengthy and detailed represen-
tations of the trade union movement were not only
disregarded, but that there was no consultations
with labor when the legislation was drafted, has led
a number of key trade union spokesmen to con-
clude that Messrs. Barrett and King at least act as
if they know better than the trade union movement
itself what its needs are.

The refusal of NDP MLAs, with the exception of
Colin Gabelmann and Harold Steves to respond in
any way to the appeal of the B.C. trade union
movement has come as a shock and bitter disap-
pointment to many of the NDP’s staunchest and

‘long-time supporters.

This is quite understandable because they find a
Labor Relations Board loaded in favor of the
employers 6 to 4; sweeping powers given this

employer-dominated board; continuation of the~

use of injunctions in labor disputes; and the power
to order compulsory settlements (even of first con-
tracts) etc.

While the B.C. Federation of Labor has con-
sistently appealed to its affiliated members to be
patient, to give the new MLAs time, and have bent
over backwards not to embarass the new NDP
government, it can no longer ignore the fact that it
is completely flaunting NDP policy as determined
by convention decision and the platform promises
on which it was elected and has shown a shocking
disregard for the principles and vital interests of
the working people of this province — unorganized

as well as organized.
es * *

Labor legislation is only one aspect of the
problem. Large numbers of working people in B.C.
(including many lifetime CCF-NDPers) are ex-

- tremely concerned about an obvious lack of action,
and in some instances a right-about face on such
questions as tax reform; tenants rights; control of
natural resources; public ownership of B.C. Tel,
Westcoast Transmission, etc.

While we welcome a whole number of
progressive changes that have been introduced in
the field of education, pensions, welfare, we cannot
but be sharply critical of many things which the
NDP had led the voters to believe would be done
that are not being acted upon such as removal of
the costs of education from homes and the family
farm, adequate provision for improvement and
modernizing of regional and local transit facilities.

These shortcomings, not to mention removal, or
at least a considerable reduction in the $409 million
Sales, gasoline and consumer taxes contained in the
present budget (with its $125 million surplus) are
causing grave distress among wide sections of the
people.

The reason for such shortcomings is that the
Barrett administration is bowing to the pressure of
the big corporations.

How else can it be explained that the NDP’s
Labor code not only had the full and unqualified
support of the ultra-reactionary Employers Council

of B.C., but the unanimous support of the Tory,
Socred and Liberal ‘’opposition’’ in the
Legislature?

Premier Barrett has declared (like his
predecessor Bennett) that he is ‘“‘not going to kill

the goose that lays the golden egg.’’ His newly ap- .

pointed Minister of Trade and Commerce has given
a solemn assurance to big business that there will
be no further increases in taxes on industry, while
much-needed increases in social expenditures for*
people (child care facilities, welfare, pensions,
chronic care, dental and health care) are being held
down.

Instead of adopting and carrying through a

genuine anti-monopoly program that places people -

before profits, the Barrett administration is giving
way to well-organized pressure campaigns of the
big monopolies (most of them foreign-owned and
controlled). This is what lies behind the failures,
frustrations and disappointments. If allowed to
continue it could be disastrous not only for the
NDP, but for British Columbia.

** * . =

The sudden, and to most completely unexpected
political upset in the last provincial election arose
out of the fact that while the Socreds held 70 per-
cent of the legislative seats, they had only 46 per-

cent of the popular vote. And, while the NDP made *

a complete sweep, sight should not be lost of the
fact that while they hold the same number — 70
percent of the seats — they received only 40 per-
cent of the popular vote.

Such a relationship (6 percent less voter support
than the Socreds had until the shift left brought on
by Bennett-Gaglardi-Chabot arrogance and aliena-
tion of certain sections of electors) is an extremely
insecure and unstable one despite the legislative
majority. The NDP MLAs cannot afford to alienate
or lose the support of one of its main bases of sup-
port — the trade union movement.

The people of British Columbia — and certainly
the NDP, the Communist Party and the labor and
progressive movement — do not want a return to
the old line parties or to their policies.

The experience with the new labor code, like
the dismissal of B.C. Fed Secretary, Ray Haynes,
from the Judicial Supervisory Committee, ‘the
reversal of NDP promises to legislate tenant’s
rights, and the withholding of removal of
educational costs from homes and the family farm,
are all serious danger signals.

What is needed is mass public pressure by labor
and democratic forces, including the Communist
Party, to press Premier Barrett and his govern-

ment to abandon its policy of pandering to big.

business and to adopt a genuine anti-monopoly

program that will put people first and keep British
Columbia moving left.

Large numbers of NDPers have already express-
ed their concern by coming out on the side of the
B.C. Federation of Labor on the issue of labor
legislation. This has been shown by the stand taken
by several NDP area and constituency councils,
clubs and prominent spokesmen.

The future of B.C. is at the cross roads today. :

The coming annual convention of the B.C. Federa-

tion of Labor and the New Democratic Party in-

B.C. can be decisive events in halting the retreat
before the big monopolies and getting the govern-
ment back on the track to fulfill the great promise
its election held out for the people of B.C.

The fight for the immediate vital needs of the
working people of this province must be pressed,
and pressed hard on all fronts. For it is out of unity
in action around the peoples’ needs that
meaningful economic and political changes can be
effected — and a united force achieved that will be
capable of taking care of tomorrow’s requirements
to transform society.

3

&
i
4

Ff
és B.C. R. :

SHOPCRAFT
WORKERS

on
LEGAL
STRIKE

at

Members of four shopcraft unions on the B.C. Railway volts
Wednesday on whether to accept a new offer by the governmen”
Photo shows strikers manning picket lines in Prince George last week:

Labor Fed

telephone

The B.C..Federation of Labor in
a statement, last Friday attacked
the Okanagan Telephone Company:
for its refusal to agree to a jointly-
administered pension plan. The
Federation’s statement said:
“We fully support the strike by
members of the Federation of
Telephone Workers against the’
Okanagan Telephone Company.
The main issue in dispute is the
pension plan. This company’s posi-
tion is a hundred years, out of date
in its attitude toward pensions.

“For years, through its absolute
control of the pension plan, the
company has been keeping benefits
so low that virtually the entire plan
has been financed by the
employees, with the company con-
tributing only an insignificant
share.

backs

workers

“A typical example is the cas of
a repairman with 29 years service
who paid 10% of his salary into
fund for 15 consecutive yeals: — |
his retirement at age 65 his pensio”
was only $122.05 per month. | 4 :

“We deplore this callous attitu
toward retired employees and
mand that the company meet 2 ‘
mal standards in British Columb!
through a decent pension plan,
jointly administered by the ©

any and the union.” :
: Meanwhile, the B.C. Federally
of Telephone Workers said Mom 3
it was appealing against a Su
Court injunction prohibitty
picketing by striking Okanae
Telephone Co. employees outel
B.C. Telephone offices. B.C: het
was granted the injunction Octo

UNIONISTS —
BACK PT

Increasing numbers of trade unionists all
through B.C. are turning to the Pacific Tribune for
timely labor news and perspectives which week —
after week only the PT provides.

In the struggles at Seagrams and of —
Shopper’s Drugs, during the rail strike, in all of
labor’s most important battles, the PT has prove” —
itself by giving up to date and extensive cove!”
age, and consistently backing labor's position.

The PT is B.C.’s only Labor Weekly.

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PACIFIC TRIBUNE—FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1973—PAGE 12