ECOLOGY: Can we survive? . . + See pg. 3 TAA di FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1972 Se Aneel teachers shown applauding the call for unity to oust the Socred government at the B.C. Teachers _ ©°8vVention in Vancouver this week. COve t tage Under wou THE pd REAL \ be x Fishy : with ENS UNION LOBBY. More than 150 members of the United Fishermen and Allied '" families, lobbied at the Legislature last Wednesday to workmen’s compensation. See story on page 1, ERASE tae DISGRACE 2 BILLS] 2.88! demand collective bargain Workers Union ing rights and —Fisherman photo VOL. 33, No. 14 CTRADES NON Tribune AREER 50 Cc [COUNCIL > OUST SOCREDS WRGE TEACHERS A ringing call for unity to oust the reactionary Socred government came this week from the province’s 23,000 teachers gathered at the annual convention of the B.C. Teachers Federation in Vancouver. The keynote was struck by Federation president Adam Robertson in his report to the 650 delegates who came from every corner of the province. “Through political action the Minister (Brothers) has threatened the future of our organization. Through political action he has deprived us of the right of free collective bargain- ing. Through political action he has imposed financial restric- tions on school boards that will further erode the quality of education available to the chil- dren of British Columbia. Through political action he has posed threats to our security as teachers in British Columbia. ° ‘“‘We must fight fire with fire— political action with political action. We must leave the seeming security of our class- rooms to enter the political arena. Our futures have been, are being, and will continue to be determined by political actions — political. actions in which we have not been involved.” Robertson’s straight forward declaration received over- whelming support from the teachers as he proceeded to outline a program for political action. He called for the forma- tion in each constituency of a ‘Citizens’ Committee For Democracy and Education.” “‘We invite all citizens and organizations who oppose the denial of collective bargaining rights to teachers and others, or who oppose the threat to educa- tional quality brought about by financial restrictions on local school boards,. or who are con- cerned about the growing threat to democracy created by actions of the provincial government, to join the committee.” Purpose of the committees, Robertson pointed out, would be to ensure that every voter in each constituency was made aware of the issues and to unite where considered desireable around a candidate on the basis of his stand on the issues. ' Delegates enthusiastically voted in support of the proposals- and by 495-84 decided on a levy of one day’s pay for a political fighting fund which will total $1.25 million. Delegates also voted 428-122 in favor of a strike vote to be conducted by the executive. The growing anti-Socred move- ment in B.C. also got strong support from the delegates to the Vancouver and District Labor Council Tuesday night when they voted $5,000 for a political education fund. (See story on page 12) There is a rising demand from” the grass roots for united action to drive the Socred government from office in the next election. The convention is due to wind up Wednesday following dis- cussion of teachers affiliation with organized labor and election of officers. A task force is studying affiliation of the BCTF to the B.C. Federation of Labor, which is due to report in May. While a decision may not be made this week, it is expected, with unity feeling running high, that teachers will continue to support close liaison with the BCFL and other organi- zations. Civic unions demand return to bargaining —See pgs. 2, 12