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CLC delegates criticize manifesto! DEMAND GENERAL STRIKE — RANK AND FILE POWER!

When the ith Constitutional Convention of the Canadian Labor Congress convened in Quebec City on May 17, the 2,300 delegates assembled were called upon to debate and act upon a rather philosophical policy state- ment called Labor’s Manifesto For Canada.

The 13-page manifesto refers to a two-fold challenge — ‘‘to defeat wage controls and to mobilize our strength behind the task of creat-

-ing a more equitable and just soci- ety in the wake of that defeat.”’ It sees the next few years as “‘tumultuous and difficult times’’, but also filled with ‘‘tremendous potential for the trade union movement to mould and trans- form the economic and political institutions of Canada,’ and, providing, “we have the vision to seize upon the times we can be a leading force for social good.”’

The manifesto acknowledges: “‘The tide of opposition to wage controls is mounting with rallies, marches and demonstrations from one side of the country to the other... The response of the Congress to the government’s at- tack on the incomes and rights of working people has been consis- tent and unequivocal but it re- mains defensive.”’_,

It goes on to state: ‘*The time has come to move to the front — to escalate our opposition to wage controls and to formulate a labor program for the political, economic and social future of this country... The national debate about controls has been expanded to a debate about post-control society or ‘decontrols’.”’

_ Again: ‘‘The introduction of controls necessitates the de- velopment of ‘decontrols’ and by this the government means more direct powers of economic man- agement for itself. .. If we do not have the power to resist wage controls then we will ultimately be co-opted into serving the government’s intentions. In this case we would have liberal

LABOR SCENE

By BRUCE MAGNUSON

corporatism... In this develop- ment tri-partism would mean that the institutions of organized labour would function to ensure the acquiesance of workers to de-

‘cisions taken by new institutions

in which their representatives have no real power. .. However, if we do have the power to resist wage controls, then we also have the power to create social cor- poratism.”’ (This term was later amended in discussion to read so- cial democracy — BM)

Later in a section dealing with Tri-partism and National Plan- ning, it is stated: Labor must make it clear that it will never en- ter into any tri-partite arrange- ment at less than full partnership status. Full partnership means that national planning must in- clude more than an incomes policy in which only wages and salaries are restrained,’’ (emphasis added) ““Labor must not willingly enter into any arrangement where only half the income equation i.e. wages is to be determined... To enter into a tri-partite agreement under such circumstances would indeed be using the union organi- zation as an arm of both business and government to restrain the workers.

_ ‘Nevertheless, this is not to say that tri-partism or the equal sharing of all powers between labor, business and government

Should not be an objective of

labor since the wresting of power away from business and its gov- ernment in the interest of labor is our legitimate goal. This is the price industry and business must

pay.”

‘TLhe-+ CLG=; Jeaders® * see Trudeau’s proposed patriation of the BNA Actas an integral part of

. the ‘decontrols’ directed at a cen-

tralization of powers in Ottawa. ‘‘National planning on social and economic issues demand strong central powers. The question for the CLC is whether it wishes to be in the forefront in planning the structure of the future in the way in which it believes will best serve the workers’ interests or not. The game is dangerous but the stakes are high. It is really not a question of ‘cooperating’ with the govern- ment but one of strength and bar- gaining ability — of which the labor movement has both.”’

The last section of the man-

‘ifesto deals with Labor’s program

for the- Future, including the CLC’s 10-point social and economic program.

The Manifesto recieved an al- most unanimous vote of the Con- vention, but not without much critical discussion which pointed to the failure of the document to come to grips with monopoly power and the need for public ownership of the means of pro- duction as the real and only possi- ble way of securing meaningful economic and social planning. Also the need for a new political realignment on a broad _anti- monopoly basis and involving all anti-monopoly forces.

In a second policy statement entitled Program of Action the Executive Council asked for an receivéd ‘‘a mandate to organize and conduct a general work stop- page or stoppages, if and when

_ necessary.”

But a proposal by the Execu- tive Council and its Commission on Constitution and Structure to amend the Congress Constitution to limit the participation of rank- and-file delegates at future Con- ventions was decisively and most significantly defeated by a vote of

three to one.

(More to follow later

_ Whatis peaceful co-existence?

Leukemia in rubber : workers investigated

NEW YORK (LNS) — “This is just one more example of gov- 2mment'concern after the bodies are lying on the floor,’’ said one chemical union leader, respond- ing to the recent United States government investigation of leukemia deaths among synthetic rubber workers. Recent statistics indicate that cases of leukemia run three times higher among rubber workers than among the general population. |

At Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, six recent leukemia deaths have been reported. A number of cases of leukemia have been reported recently among 800

workers at a B.F. Goodrich plant —

in Texas and a Texas U.S. Chem- icals plant. Both plants produce styrene-butadiene, a product used in the manufacture of tires.

Four former workers at the Goodrich ‘plant have died of

_ blood cancer since 1971 anda fifth

is now undergoing treatment. At least two cases have been re- ported at the Texas U.S. Chemi- cals plant.

Now under investigation are the leukemia deaths over a 10- year period of six workers in a Goodyear Tire and Rubber Com- pany plant in Akron, Ohio. The deaths aré believed to be linked to chemicals used in making plastic food wrapping.

Goodyear officials have admit- ted that the six deaths were ‘‘work related’? and said they ‘‘may have resulted from expo- sure to benzene.’’ This pet- rochemical, used in making paint

thinner and solvent, has been:

linked to blood cancers such as leukemia. Goodyear spokesman William deMeza claims that the men died of aplastic anemia, al- though the Akron Beacon Journal reported that leukemia was listed as the cause of death in the work- ers’ medical records. In addition, the Akron newspaper reported that seven Goodyear workers had

By ALFRED DEWHURST

‘workers in the U.S. could be if}

died of leukemia, while the com} pany reported only six deaths. | It is unknown just how mail rubber workers are adversely 7 fected by exposure to the over 10) chemicals they handle. Busines Week estimates that over 10,C0)

volved, and thousands more mi have been in the past..

Angolans, Sovie a olding talks | on Africa events |

MOSCOW — Soviet-Angolall talks opened here May 24. Takin) part in the talks are Premier Lop?) ~do Nascimento of the People® Republic of Angola, Premié Alexei Kosygin of the Soviet Ut ion, Soviet Foreign Minister At} drei Gromyko and Defenct Minister Dmitri Ustinov. a

These talks follow discussion in Moscow between Soviet gov) ernment officials and a delegatiol from Mozambique headed ¥)) President Samora Machel. ‘

In ajoint communique issued 4} the end of five days of talks, Soviet Union and Mozambiq said the present situation in Afn@) is characterized by ‘‘the mounting struggle of the peoples for n@) tional liberation and social liber#) tion, for peace, democracy ail® progress.

‘‘Unity of action by the peopl of Africa, Asia and Latin Ameft) can with the socialist countnie) — and other progressive forces the world is asymbol of success!" ~ their anti-imperialist, anti colonial struggle.” :

The two countries said stand for ‘‘further improveme! of the international climate, fo! preservation and deepening of if) ternational détente, for assertiO!) of the principles of peaceful : co-existence. —¢

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\

A reader writes: ‘‘Would you please explain what is meant by peaceful co-existence, and who it benefits?”

Peaceful co-existence refers to rela- ‘tions between states with different economic and social systems, namely,

_ socialist and capitalist. Once accepted as the normal relations between these two opposing systems peaceful co-

existence will bring untold benefits to all humanity.

* * *

__- The struggle of the peoples to end the arms race brings to the fore the prime ‘question of our times. That is, what should the policies of international re-

lations between states with different —

- social and economic systems be based on?

_ The socialist and capitalist states are co-existing until the transition from capitalism to socialism on a world scale

is completed. This historic transition is the main feature of our times. It is a process which, historically speaking,.is irreversible, despite the violent and, sometimes frantic, efforts of the capitalist monopolists to impede or stop it.

The transition from capitalism to socialism projects the class struggle be-

tween the workers and capitalists onto

the international political arena. PACIFIC TRIBUNE—JUNE 4, 1976—Page 8 .

Marxism-Leninism in Today’s World

The struggle between capitalism and ~

socialism on a world scale cannot be wished away, no more than the class struggle in individual countries of the capitalist world can be wished away. Both represent an objective process that is rooted in irreconcilable class an- tagonisms arising out of the exploita- tion of man by man and nation by nation under the capitalist system.

* * *

Co-existence of these two antagonis- tic systems is a fact of life. The main question facing humanity is whether the co-existence should be peaceful in terms of state relations during the period of time the peoples are collec- tively deciding which system they desire for their country? Or, should these relations be only of non- belligerency; i.e., of a cold war nature?

The major imperialist powers have opted for the latter. That is, a co- existence that rests upon imperialist polices of ‘roll-back’’, ‘‘containment”’, and “‘restoration”’. This is the source of the arms race — of the deterrent “theory’’.

Non-belligerency is, at the best of times, only steps away from active

belligerency, in other words war. This is not only a highly dangerous policy, it is at the same time a bankrupt policy based as it is on maintaining a social and economic system that has already out- lived its time. :

; * * OO

The socialist countries, on the other hand, base their foreign policy on the principles of peaceful co-existence. These principles are: sovereignty, equality, territorial inviolability ofevery state, big or small; non interference in the internal affairs of other countries; respect for the rights of every people freely to decide their social, economic

and political system; the settlement of _

outstanding international issues by political means through negotiations.

The aims of the socialist states, true to the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism, is to achieve fraternity and friendship of the people of all countries, and a world without war — without arms. This is so because socialism and aggression are wholly in- compatible concepts. These are the

aims of all Communists, all Marxist-.

Leninists. The people in power in the socialist

- co-existence.

_ the people of all countries.

countries are workers and farmel>:

wars. The workers and farmers of socialist countries want their system triumph as soon as possible in order achieve as quickly as possible maximum fulfillment of their econo social and cultural requirements.

is why they work hard in defence

peace.

Ps Bh oS a eg eG

pe ee Te Stet

* Kk OK

Of late the cold war has been gi way to a policy of easing internatio! tension and cooperation between sta with different social systems. favorable development is thanks to peace policy of the socialist coun and the struggles of the people of 4 countries to compel the imperial! powers to accept détente and peace!

What is needed now is to com ment political détente with détente ! the military sphere, to end the’ art race, to begin reducing arms stockp and start the process of disarmame!

This is an immediate program ! peace that serves the best interests °

To sign the Stockholm Appeal to En! the Arms Race will serve to adva the cause of a world without arms. —