+ BANADA Ano retE TRAGL wert MEDICO Crossing the Line Canada and Free Trade With Mexico Edited by JIM SINCLAIR This attractive and readable book is the ideal introduction to the broad range of views opposing the NAFTA. Includes contributors from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. ‘Crossing the Line is written for and partly by trade unionists. If you're going to fight NAFTA, you need the information in this book.’ KEN GEORGETTI, president, B.C. Federation of Labour ‘Explores how free trade touches on every aspect of our lives, right from the water we drink, to the air we breathe, to the food on our tables.’ RENE ANDERSON, Our Times ‘An essential read for Canadian workers and trade union activists.’ KEN LUCKHARDT, Education Department, Canadian Auto Workers $15.95 188 pages 2504 York Avenue / Vancouver, B.C. V6K 1£3 / (604) 738-9425 DAN SCHERR 1961-1992 This fall IWA-CANADA suffered a shocking loss when Local 1-184 Executive Board member Dan Scherr lost his life while working at Premier Saskatchewan Inc’s. peat moss operation near Carrot River, Saskatchewan. Brother Scherr exemplified the union’s spirit in his activities in and outside the [WA. He is sadly missed by his Brothers and Sisters in IWA- CANADA and the labour movement and will be fondly remem- bered by all those who knew him. Following is the text of the eulogy spoken at Brother Scherr’s funeral. DANIEL ALBERT HENRY JOSEPH SCHERR met his untimely death accidentally on September 30, 1992. Dan was born at Carrot River, Saskatchewan on September 21, 1961 to Dan and Rose Scherr. He mar- ried his high school sweetheart, Betty Ann Trombley on August 25, 1988 and this marriage was blessed with two daughters, Cassandra and Marissa. Danny's warm and tender love for his girls was always evident and will be remembered. Dan spent all his life in Carrot River. He received his education at Carrot River Elementary and High Schools. While in school, he excelled in many sports including volleyball, basketball, curling and track and field. His interest in sports continued after high school. He was also active in recreational hockey as a player and a manager. Dan was always ready to help his community and spent many hours refereeing minor hockey and umping ball games. In fact one of his proudest moments was being selected to ump at the Summer Games in Prince Albert this past summer. He also liked to beat his Dad and brothers at a round of golf whenever they had time. Dan enjoyed the outdoor life, and often in sum- mer when not busy umping he enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting with his family and father-in-law and Uncle Elmer and Fred Trombley. He especially liked his mother’s and mother-in-law’s cooking, particularly homemade bread, pies, jams and jellies. Dan impressed and touched everyone he met. He was a patient, kind and generous man. Those who knew him best, knew of his intense love for his family and of his endless patience with children. He spent count- less hours helping his community and many organizations will miss his contributions of time and effort freely given, yet Dan never wanted nor would he accept recognition. Dan has been a Knight of Columbus for thirteen years holding several positions, presently serving as Deputy Grand Knight of his Council. He was a past President of the Pasquia Golf Club. He spent many hours help- ing his dad wire the new church in Carrot River and spent many years serving mass. Dan started working at Carrot River Peat Moss in June, 1978. He worked for that operation through all three owners. He joined IWA-CANA- DA Local 1-184 as an active and supportive member in August, 1978. In. May, 1983 he was elected as IWA Plant Chairman by his fellow workers and became an Executive Board member of Local 1-184. Dan served his membership well. He was part of all negotiations at his plant from May, 1983 to the present. Dan attended several IWA confer- ences and conventions. In September, 1990 Dan was elected as one of only four Saskatchewan members to attend the IWA-CANADA National Convention held in Vancouver. He was elected to again attend this October. Dan’s efforts on his fellow worker's behalf and his loyalty to his union resulted in him being appointed as an officer of IWA-CANADA. He has held the elected position of Conductor since May, 1988. Danny was highly respected by his fellow officers. His services, his friendship and his outgoing personality are going to be very much missed. Dan is survived by his loving wife Betty Ann and their children Cassandra and Marissa; his parents Rose and Dan Scherr of Saskatoon; Patricia (James) Grypiuk of Shellbrook; Veronica (Ron) Chatterson of Lemberg; Monica (Joe) Kendall of Saskatoon; Tammy Scherr (Allan) of Saskatoon; Dhawn (Georgette) Scherr of Winnipeg; Shawn (Laurel) Scherr of Saskatoon; his mother-in-law Dorothy Trombley and his sister- in-law Doris (Emie) Charko of Carrot River; his brothers-in-law Gordon (Sandra) Trombley of Edmonton and Jeff (Christine) Trombley of Carrot River; his paternal grandfather Valentine Scherr of Saskatoon and several uncles, aunts and cousins. Uncle Danny will be sadly missed by his nieces and nephews, Sharon, Kristen, Bruce, Denise, Tyler, Jennifer, Shane, Nicole, Tiffany, Darren and Carly. He was predeceased by his paternal grandmother Elizabeth Scherr, his maternal grandparents William and Annie Norrish, his niece Roxanne Grypiuk and his father-in-law, Willard Trombley. BEEBE 16/LUMBERWORKER/OCTOBER, 1992 9 United States needs a pool of cheap Mexican workers labour to enable it to compete with Continued from page three helping this process. And there is a commitment to the European Social Charter. In contrast, the Mexican govern- ment hopes to attract Japanese capi- tal by keeping labour costs below those of Taiwan and South Korea. The government of President Carlos Salinas de Gortari (like that of his pre- decessor, Miguel De la Madrid) has carried out concerted attacks on the stronger, more independent trade unions. It believes that cheap labour costs and non-enforcement of envi- ronmental legislation are Mexico’s international comparative advantages. The Ronald Reagan and George Bush administrations in Washington, and numerous American business leaders, have long argued that the Japan, which has such an advantage in Southeast Asia. That is how they view Mexico. Brian Mulroney, George Bush and Carlos Salinas have all forcefully rejected proposals from trade union- ists in the three countries to include an EC-type Charter of Social Rights in NAFTA. Do Canadians really want to be party to this type of North American economic and social devel- opment? John W. Warnock is the Assistant Editor of Briarpatch Magazine, a progressive Canadian publication published in Regina. He also teaches political economy at the University of Regina on a part time basis. Presently he is writing a book on the free mar- kets, free trade and their impacts on Mexico. vei A i ——————————————