[Ne Re I By WILLIAM BEECHING A group of prominent NDP members have publicly issued a document entitled “For an In- dependent Socialist Canada.” In the declaration are a num- -ber of positions worthy of the widest support: an independent Canada, nationalization and re- cognition of the two-nation cha- racter of Canada (neither spell- ed out, nor well understood). In addition there is a strong appeal for peace which, if written into an NDP program, would streng- then the fight for peace in this country. This group should not be con- fused with the New Democratic Party. The NDP is the clearest expression, in a single political party, of the broad anti-mono- poly, pro-peace, reform-minded sections of society. It also has a “radical wing” of various hues. The NDP is also in a sense, two parties in one. The parlia- mentary group holds its own caucus, works out its own pro- gram and tactics and really runs the party. To get back to a discussion of the proposals of the group. The document says “. . . They include extensive public control over investment and _ nationali- zation of the commanding heights of the economy, such as the key resource industries, fin- ance and credit, and industries strategic to planning our eco- nomy.” The seeming radical sweep of this statement is impressive, and if adopted, would strengthen the NDP program. However, other statements in the docu- ment seem to contradict it. The NDP is not a socialist WNL PMN, UP on party, in the sense that social- ism means a_ revolutionary change in society, an.end to exploitation, public ownership of the means of production, and planned production for the satis- faction of human needs. The problem is to discover what is really being advocated. The opening paragraph in the press release, accompanying the document states, “. . . the recent defeat of the New Democratic Party in British Colombia, ap- parently on the issue of social- ism vs. capitalism .. .” Socialism was never the issue in the B.C. election. The press release goes on to call on the NDP, in order to achieve the goal of socialism, to “first develop a socialist consci- ousness.” For a Marxist, this means that the working class must become conscious of its historic role as that force in so- ciety that will overthrow capi- talism, and replace it with a new socialist society. But, in the first sentence in the document, the group identi- fies itself as a group of “demo- cratic socialists.” The NDP’s pragmatic T. C. Douglas likes this term because it sums up the difference between NDP “welfarism,”’ and Marxist ‘“‘so- cialism.” That, of course, is the signifi- cant difference between a social- ist society and a capitalist so- ciety in which welfarism and controls over monopoly are a feature. Developing a socialist consci- ousness means more than a study of Marxism. There must be an organized expression of the revolutionary content of that philosophy. Such an organized CUPE CONVENTION 4 J ABOR C HAR TER Canada’s second largest trade union, with 138,000 members, met in convention in Toronto last week, and called upon the _ Canadian Labor Congress to adopt the following proposals for a Charter of Labor Rights: 1. The unfettered right to peaceful assembly, strike and picket to protect jobs of strik- ing workers. 2. The right to strike during the term of a collective agree- ment on all matters arising out of technological changes, ra- tionalization of production pro- eesses and automation, thus im- plementing the basic demand of the Freedman Report. 3. The right to strike during the term of a coilective agree- ment if bargaining cannot re- solve matters not covered by such an agreement. 4. The right to a meaningful say on all economic and social questions affecting the vital in- terests of workers and trade union representation on all gov- ernmental boards administering state social programs. 5. The right of training and re-training to meet the needs of technological change, at full pay and at employer and gov- ernment expense. 6. The right to take all measures necessary to protect safety and health of workers on the job. 7. The right to leisure through extended vacations and more paid holidays. 8. The right to comfortable and secure retirement at 60 years if so desired. Another resolution called upon the C.L.C. to “initiate an active campaign for the admis- sion of all bona fide trade unions who are prepared to ac- cept its aims, principles and abide by its constitution.” The delegates spoke out loud and clear against the Rand Royal Inquiry Report into labor disputes and against compulso- ry arbitration for public em- ployees. By adoption of resolution number 96, the convention urged the CLC to protest to the PACIFIC TRIBUNE—SEPTEMBER 19, 1969-——PAGE 6 expression exists in the form of the Communist Party of Canada. No doubt the day will come, of benefit to all, when the left- ward moving, conscious wing in the NDP will move to forms of unity with the Communists, on many issues. However, the NDP is not the organized expression of socialism, and to change it would have to renounce reform- ism as an aim, and parliamentar- ism as a method, and unreserv- edly agree to the class struggle, led by the working class. In what is more than an over- sight, the group does not. de- clare the main force in society for winning social change as the working class and, that, in the process of class struggle it can gain a socialist consciousness. The working class has never ad- vanced on the “good will” of a group of “intelligent” parlia- mentarians, who know what’s good for everyone else, but ab- jure class struggle. The document says, “The most urgent issue for Canadians is the very survival of Canada. . . But economic independence without socialism is a sham.” This is a loaded statement. To pose the necessity for socialism first, is to skip an entire stage of neces- sary struggle which will lead to that goal. We cannot assume that it is impossible to have independence without socialism, as unlikely as it might be. There are many forces in our society who are for independence from_ the U.S.A,. but which are not against capitalism. It is possible, because of the historical era in which we live, that in winning inde- pendence, Canadian workers and farmers will also win socialism. United Nations against the pro- posed U.S. anti-ballistic missile complex ‘‘which will cause bal- jlistic missiles to explode over Canadian soil.” Following shortly after the historic Bridgewood decision, the CUPE oath of office for newly elected officers was changed. It is no longer neces- sary for an officer to swear that he is “not associated in any manner whatsoever with any group which expounds or pro- motes or encourages any doc- trine or philosophy contrary to or subversive of the fundamen- tal principles and institutions of the democratic form of govern- ment of Canada.” Instead, the new oath reads simply: “I solemnly promise and declare that I will support . and obey the constitution, ob- jects, principles and policies of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.” While this deci- sion must be recognized as a big step away from cold war positions, it must also be noted that .the convention did not delete the worst McCarthyite feature in the ‘constitution, which perpetuates the anti- communism repudiated in the Bridgewood case. However, and it must be said again, the gene- ral direction taken was away from cold war positions. The tone of the convention was expressed on economic is- The assertion is made that Canadian governments have act- ed in the interests of American capital, because no strong Cana- dian capitalist class exists to back them; and that Canada has become an “economic colony of the United States.” This opens the door to a veritable pandora’s box of problems. The first thing that must be said is that Canadian govern- ments have deliberately pursued a policy of selling ownership of Our natural resources to U.S. monopolies, and among them must be numbered Saskatche- wan’s CCF. government. But Canada is not a colony. The re- tarding and distorting of our de- velopment by U.S. ownership has a certain relativity to it. We are a highly developed, modern, capitalist nation which also ex- ports capital. To declare Canada a colony replaces socialism on the agen- da with the struggle for indepen- dence; although the authors, themselves, earlier claim social- ism before independence. If Can- ada was a colony, then the class alliances to end _ colonialism would be different at this stage, and would include the Canadian bourgeoisie. In fact, these theories could lead to the idea that we do not have much of a class struggle in Canada. Then the document says, “Ca- pitalism must be replaced by so- cialism, by national planning of investment and by the _ public ownership of the means of pro- duction, in the interests of the Canadian people as a whole...’ This advanced statement is plunked down in the midst of all the others, without elaboration sues and on issues involving the rights of public employees in respect to collective bargain- ing. It was obvious throughout that the second largest union in Canada, and the fastest growing union in the country, is in no mood to accept sub-standard wages or compulsory arbitration. It was an open secret in the convention that the top leader- ship of many international unions, and the leadership of the CLC, are concerned over the growth and potential of GCUPE. There is a close liaison with the Public Service Alliance, re- presenting approximately 100,- 000 federal government ~em- ployees, and certifications have been won in national broadcast- ing and for provincial employees in New Brunswick. An active campaign is under way to win a substantial base among On- tario government employees and there are indications that the national office will move more aggressively into the field of hydro electric employees, and telephone workers. The spectre of a purely Can- adian union, with a potential of 500,000 members, is already haunting many labor leaders in Canada, outside the ranks of CUPE. The strong feeling for growth and merger was expressed by or comment, and seemingly ! contradiction to other ® ments. Winning such a concep be an advance for Can and, indeed would be 4 big # vance for the New pena Party. It should open the to wider unity of the Left uments of the kind wé a, cussing, do serve the purp? re attracting around them, moving to the left. At the same time, also examine who said it natory to the document a fessor Gonick, editor 0 sions, newly elected ND: in Manitoba. Just a week one ago, he delivered his it speech in the Manitoba leg ture, in which he cone tt American domination, © ati! out do that with a conden of what he called “Russi@t,, cialism,” and electing owt democratic, middle way: | as “democratic socialism. Communists defend socid! and welcome those wh0 “py, approach it or adopt. it. » gf whatever else, “‘socialis “social democracy” are t ferent ideas. tod! Taking shape in Canada t bh is the concept put forwt nd the 20th national comcast ie the Communist Party. of “tion! a broad new alliance, ne : aemocrate! anti-monopoy Ai anti-imperialist in charac a core of which is the This 5 i class-farmers alliance. ing it cument reflects the com being of that coalition. ious pot more people into consci ticipation in it, We hope tt interests of Canada, ie nit left in the NDP ‘will- and strong. one ns ASE resolutions calling ie pf with other unions r's ‘ost sent employees in CU UP ‘so diction, and in the given to the principle. v yor dian unions for Canadi@ vest ers. At its previous oot ¢ in 1967, CUPE defied "8 by deciding to withh hol “noo capita unless the va Civic Employees Unie ri | 1004, was given < This joo! | within the Congress. fe: was originally oi abt cot the old Trades and 14 vel gress on the charge 4” at 2 “Communist domings Oe has since’ incurre 5 pleasure of the CLC Le ey over its organizing "1935! | fields in which the COME not fully prepared to f CUPE. Two incidents at tne Fe a tion will long be remembe the delegates. ut The first was’ when # vot weman from California, wor senting the striking eral a ers of California, support. Endorsation oa grape workers strike a unanimous vote. 5 i The second was be it Lenihan of Calgary, retin ,, the service after so d Western Regional Dir€ livered an impassiOn€” ing which closed with a 1! for socialism.