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THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER

THE WESTERN CANADIAN

LUMBER

‘wa

38,000 copies
printed in this issue.

Published once monthly as the official publication of the INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS OF AM ERICA

Western Canadian Regional Council No. 1

Affiliated with AFL-CIO-CLC

2859 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, B.C. Phone 874-5261

Editor — Pat Kerr Business Manager — Fred Fieber

Advertising Representatives — Elizabeth Spencer Associates

Forwarded to every member of the IWA in Westérn Canada in accordance with convention decisions.<@2 >?
Subscription rate for non-members $2.00 per year. es

ORIAL

QUESTIONS FOR BARRETT

THE statement made by NDP House

Leader David Barrett, M.L.A., ex-
pressing a change of attitude to-
ward trade unions urgently requires
clarification. Considered together
with sentiments expressed by his col-
leagues, it is made to appear that the
NDP legislative group in the Legis-
lature is preparing to turn its back on
organized labour.

Nothing was said in appreciation
of those in the ranks of organized
labour who have consistently sup-
ported the NDP with money, material
and effort. They will naturally be dis-
couraged by this sad reward for NDP
loyalty.

* * *

There was no prior consultation
with a working partner before the sig-
nal was given to break up any part-
nership. The intention may not win
favour in other provinces, but it will
have a drastic effect in B.C.

Evidently disassociation with the
unions is, in their opinion, necessary
to win the good will of the employing
interests and those influenced by
the employers’ propaganda. It seems
to be a matter of flagrant political ex-

pediency. It is a strange Socialism

that disowns a large and friendly sec-
tion of the working class in fear of its
economic militancy. Can this gen-
uinely be part of the “move to the
left”?

* * *

Is the NDP to abandon the historic

mission of Socialism to promote unity -

of wage-earners? Will the NDP be
governed solely by the doctrinaire
elite, functioning in mid-air, without
roots in the working lives of the com-
mon people? Where are the plans for
a broadly-based political party? Will
the leadership of the party exercise
the right of selection to determine

who should be admitted to official
circles?

This publication has frankly ad-
mitted the need for a re-appraisal of
NDP — trade union relations. We

hoped to improve these relations
rather than destroy them.

Dave Barrett had an alternative.
It was possible for him to hold the
loyalty of NDP trade unionists as well

as protect NDP integrity by proving

oO A Se ee

that the NDP is in no way responsible
for the necessary economic functions
of the trade unions. Also, there is no
evidence that the trade unions have
even attempted to dominate NDP
policy. There is abundant evidence
that unions have furnished men,
money and material in election cam-
paigns. If this wasn’t wanted, why
was it so urgently solicited? Why do
the myths so assiduously circulated
by Bennett and Co. require the NDP
to chart a new course in this field?
Must we accept the ridiculous state-
ment that the NDP has been nothing

more than a mouthpiece for the trade
unions?

Silence prevails about the law in
B.C., which prohibits financial sup-
port for NDP affiliations from funds
derived from membership dues. Is
there NDP awareness of the stifling
effect this has had on affiliations?
Can the NDP now consistently press
for the repeal of such legislation,
while denying representation for un-
ions desiring it? Will unions be ex-
pected to drum up financial support
for NDP campaigns while deprived
of any voice in the administration of
such funds?

* * *

Will a genuine NDP trade unionist
be now required to choose between
his union and the NDP in the event
that the union is forced to find other

political expression? It is only natur-.

al for a trade union member to give
first loyalty to the organization which
protects his living standards —
something the NDP cannot do. Will
the unorganized workers listen more
attentively to the NDP when they be-

come aware of the treatment dished
out to the unions?

If the unions are to be kicked out
of the NDP, what will be done by the
NDP to fill the vacuum? Are we to
witness individual trade unions offer-
ing support to a variety of candidates
from all parties for purely local rea-
sons? The factions inside the trade
union which have opposed political
action have now been provided with
penetrating ammunition.

* * *

We return to our original propo-
sition. Let there be frank consultation
between the two bodies instead of
individual outbursts. ©

WILL YA LAY OFF TH’ SNOOSE WHEN WE'RE HUNTIN’

. . . THAT'S TH’ THIRD BUCK THAT’S CAUGHT A
WHIFF OF YA!

LETTER

WRITER CLAIMS
NDP NOT DEMOCRATIC

The Editor:

In answer to your editorial
in the September issue of the
Lumber Worker, I wish to
state that I am a member of
the NDP and after viewing at
close hand the turmoil in this
party during the current year
I am more convinced than
ever that the party should
drop the name of “New De-
mocratic Party” and revert to
being the-CCF.

The party is no longer
NEW. And DEMOCRATIC it
has not been since the advent
of Union affiliations. Your
statement of Union dominance
being a myth is entirely un-
true, since the 1969 Provincial
NDP Convention was very
much dominated by Union
delegates.

How? Union members were
delegates, who were not mem-
bers or supporters of the NDP
(United Steelworkers of
America), voting on party
policy and on who should be
NDP Provincial Leader. And
there were delegates seated at
Union tables who were in no
way whatever connected with
the Union they were repre-
senting (Canadian Food and
Allied Workers).

One of your own Vice-
presidents defends the right of
delegates who are not NDP
to have a voice and a vote on
party matters!

How can you say that Un-
ion dominance is a myth?.

Which other political party
would allow persons of other
political beliefs to decide what
shall and what shall not be,

BIGGEST BANK OF ALL

within that party? And which
Union members allow com-
plete strangers to their Union
to vote “proxy” for them,
when several of their Locals
are within walking distance
of the Convention Centre?
Myth?

And how would you ac-
count for the fact that the
IWA, with 9850 members affi-
liated, had only 35 delegates
(full quota) whilst the Unit-
ed Steelworkers of America
with 2527 members affiliated,
had 33 delegates. . . Demo-
cracy?

I think the NDP can do
very nicely without this kind
of DEMOCRACY!

You are also wrong in your
assumption that the present
level of affluence has little to
do with the workers’ voting
patterns. The more affluent
people become, and the more
satisfied they are with the
government that allows their
affluence, no matter what the
long-range cost, or who goes
down whilst they go up.

Which brings me to the
point of asking the IWA,
through you, to press the Fed-
eration of Labour to call a
halt to the constant pressure
for more wages. Which is a
myth, since it becomes more
difficult to manage with each
raise we get. And in its place
introduce a cost of living bo-
nus, into each and every con-
tract of ALL Unions, thereby
eliminating the excuse that
Wages are the cause of rising
prices.

(MRS.) HILDA MORRIS