December 17, 2000
Volume 30, No. 38
CAW Reaches Milestone, Hargrove Says
CAW president Buzz Hargrove reminded Council the union has passed a milestone. "You now belong to an organization that has over one-quarter million members," Hargrove said. "That's double our size since we set up our Canadian union in 1985." During a wide-ranging speech to almost 1,000 council delegates and guests Hargrove outlined the important challenges the CAW has faced in the past year and highlighted what lies ahead. On the political front the federal New Democrats found themselves with a campaign that didn't generate enough excitement and debate. Although the NDP focused on health care as their number one campaign issue, they failed to recognize that the Liberals had moved the issue off the political agenda of most Canadians by signing a new funding formula on health care with the provinces shortly before the election call. "I think we should have identified where the real power is in our political system in this country and gone after the corporate agenda - the people that control the levers of power," Hargrove said. "The corporations came together to ensure that their agenda, the right-wing agenda, the corporate agenda, was driven home by the Alliance, and the Liberals and the Tories, and others would be forced to follow suit. Why didn't we expose that?" "You cannot, as a left party in this country, take a safe route into an election, follow it and have any meaningful impact on the debate, let alone expect to capture the voter's attention in this country." Hargrove suggested several ideas the NDP should have used during the campaign including the nationalization of one of the oil companies. With major banks announcing staggering profits, in some cases $1 billion in profit in the latest quarter, Hargrove also suggested the NDP should have campaigned on setting up a national bank, if elected, to compete with the well-heeled established banks in Canada. With the federal NDP steadily moving to the centre over the last three or four years, they suddenly moved back to a more traditional left agenda for the 35-day election campaign. Hargrove said it was "too little, too late." "I believe it is now time for us to get back, as a party, to our roots, to move away from the centre of the road and get back to defining ourselves as a democratic socialist party of Canada with the people's agenda, not an agenda for the elite and the wealthy in this country."
CLC, SEIU And The CAW
Hargrove provided a lengthy analysis of events following the decision of 30,000 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) members in Ontario to join the CAW, including the impact of the CLC decision to expel the CAW for "raiding". "What does raiding mean? Our view is that raiding is if we go out and solicit the members of another union and entice the members of another union to leave their union and join us. We believe that is raiding, and we agreed that we want no part of that. But, if a group of workers decides, through legitimate dissent and debate within their organization, and they decide to leave and they want to talk to the CAW, we will be open to talk to any group of workers in the country to see if we can assist them as they go about that kind of change," Hargrove said. It's important that the Canadian labour movement continue to grow and change when necessary. "I believe that we can even be more open and invite in a lot of others if we can find a way to come to grips with the idea that people must have a right to decide whether or not they want to be part of their current union or whether their interests are better served belonging to another union. I believe that will happen. That debate will take place and the CLC will be forced to make changes long-term," Hargrove said.
Canada's Auto Industry
Hargrove outlined a good news/bad news scenario facing Canada's auto industry. Since the last CAW Council meeting the WTO has ruled an end to the Auto Pact governing trade between Canada and the United States in automotive cars, trucks and parts since 1965. The trading pact has meant so much to the growth of Ontario and Canada's economy, so much to workers, their families and communities, he said. "Incredibly, this faceless group of bureaucrats that have no interest in what happens in the Canadian economy are able to make a binding decision on our country to end the trading agreement..." Hargrove outlined the success of Canada's auto industry including massive new investments at GM, DaimlerChrysler and Ford. He said the Canadian auto industry is a leader because of its high quality, productivity and low costs. But he also cautioned there are concerns about vehicle inventories as the new year approaches. The market is getting crowded. "There are a lot of new players from South Korea, from Japan, that are taking an increasing share of the U.S. market. The Mexicans are producing a lot more vehicles and shipping them from the south to the north..." "So at the same time we have a very successful, booming market in North America - almost 20 million vehicles again this year, a record by any analysis - we find ourselves with too much inventory, too many players in the field. But the auto industry, the Big Three, have added shifts. They worked excessive overtime in some plants including in Canada - six and seven-day work weeks and work paid holidays." "And somebody took their eye off of the balance and we have a booming market and we have a glut in inventory which is going to create some downtime. Not just at DaimlerChrysler, but at Ford and at General Motors as well." During his speech Hargrove touched on a host of other topics ranging from the Falconbridge strike to employment standards laws to the aerospace industry to the airlines to youth and much more. To read the full text of Hargrove's speech visit the CAW's webpage at www.caw.ca and look under What's News December Council.
Tax Cuts: Why Not?
The negative impact of tax cut policies were debated by delegates reviewing the CAW discussion paper Tax Cuts: Why Not? The paper debunks a number of myths about overtaxed Canadians and outlines the importance of taxes to building quality, accessible public health, education and social programs. Delegates outlined the importance of countering on the shop floor, in workplaces and the community the push by right-wing political parties for tax cuts. CAW Council president Ken Lewenza urged delegates not to buy into the false logic of tax cuts. He demanded that the Liberal government spend the massive surplus it has built up by reinvesting in health care, education, fighting poverty and rebuilding the country's infrastructure. The federal government must accept its responsibility in building the collective good in Canada. "Don't be scared to take on this fight," said Lewenza, also CAW Local 444 president. Here is a quick summary from one portion of the paper: "We Need a Raise, Not a Tax Cut" - The Liberals will cut federal taxes by 20 per cent; the Alliance promised even more; - That's the biggest tax cut ever, spread over five years; - Yet it's equivalent to an annual wage increase of only one per cent or less - not exactly a "rich" contract!; - We need higher wages to improve our living standards; tax cuts are only a temporary band-aid.
A New Era For Canadian Labour
Another discussion paper debated by delegates is called A New Era For Canadian Labour. The paper analyzes the impact of the decision by eight Ontario SEIU locals representing 30,000 members to leave their international union and join the CAW. As a result of the CAW's decision to accept them, the CAW was expelled from the CLC. Although the CAW continues to seek a negotiated settlement, it seems unlikely. Here is a summary, included in the full paper: Raiding: What It Is, and What It Isn't: - the decision by SEIU members to join the CAW is not a "raid" in any meaningful sense; - this democratic decision has been expressed in numerous ways by the members involved, with no CAW "enticement." . unanimous February vote by 800 elected local leaders; . 98 per cent March workplace vote by 11,000 members; . average 85 per cent support for CAW in 118 labour board supervised ballots.
WTO - The Whole World Is Watching
A video highlighting the negative impact of World Trade Organization policies on working people, their families and communities sparked discussion on the importance of mobilizing and fighting back. WTO - The Whole World is Watching is a 15-minute video that looks at the undemocratic, yet incredibly powerful decision making of faceless WTO bureaucrats.
Globalization And The WTO
Globalization and the WTO: What's at Stake for Canada, and What We Can Do About It is a discussion paper that further explores various aspects of the World Trade Organization and its agenda. It outlines the impact of WTO judgements against Canada including drug patents, magazine policy, aerospace subsidies and The Auto Pact. The paper outlines three specific interim demands: abolish the phony kangaroo courts of the WTO; block the proposed expansion of the WTO's powers; and get trade agreements back to trade, not investment (for example, abolish NAFTA Chapter 11). The paper and video together outline the importance of ultimately abolishing the WTO and replacing it with a more balanced and accountable means of managing the world economy. Delegates outlined the importance of education and community action in opposition to the WTO. They also heard of the need for a strong showing at protests planned for Quebec City in April at the Free Trade Area of the Americas summit. Despite the far reaching power of the WTO delegates were reminded of the success of recent protests in Seattle, Washington and Windsor. They were urged to continue building links with environmentalists, students, community groups and others who are also opposed to the corporate agenda of the WTO.
Youth And The CAW
Student activists Lindsay Porter and David Brand outlined their continuing struggle against corporate advertising in Canadian classrooms. They explained their outrage at advertisements being shown in high school classrooms at the end of "educational" programs from Youth News Network, a for-profit company. The ads from Reebok, Nintendo and other corporations don't belong in classrooms and many students are strongly opposed, they said. "As I saw these commercials I became irate," said Porter, who is now a Carleton University student. Both students outlined the hurdles and their successes as they worked to build opposition to commercials in the classroom. In return for showing the commercials schools receive computers and other equipment.
Youth Video
CAW Youth 2000 is a short video that explores the drive to build greater youth participation within the union. The upbeat video looks at some of the discussion and activities that took place at the CAW's first youth conference at the union's Port Elgin Family Education Centre. For the first time, a youth caucus was held at CAW Council.
CAW Task Force On Working Class Politics
The CAW Task Force on Working Class Politics has visited communities across the country where discussion groups of randomly selected CAW members have discussed the relevance and the importance of working class politics in their lives. A written update provided for delegates outlines the work of the task force so far and looks at what's coming up in the new year. Results from 5,000 tear-off surveys collected from CAW members who read the "Have Your Say" leaflet were included in the update. Peggy Nash, assistant to CAW president Buzz Hargrove, said the discussion groups have generated important discussion. She said despite the variety of views expressed a number of general themes have come across including the importance of the union to the great majority of participants. Although many participants were tentative at the start of the discussion groups, the majority were very comfortable by the end of the day and felt good about their union asking them to take part. Some upcoming Task Force events include a national survey of randomly selected members, area forums to engage local leadership and activists, an international conference next summer that will invite union and political leaders from other countries to discuss the union's role in politics, and an interim report to the CAW Constitutional Convention in August, 2001.
Harris Grinch Bill
Many delegates took part in a rally outside the nearby Eaton's Centre and at Toronto City Hall to protest the Ontario's government's complete rewrite of Employment Standards laws. CAW members, other labour and community activists took part in the rally to demand full public hearings on the "Harris Grinch Bill." They also took to the streets to say no to: 60 hour work weeks, overtime pay only after 176 hours in four weeks, up to three years delay in severance payments, two weeks vacation to be taken in single days and much more. The changes will undermine the working conditions of some of the most vulnerable, unorganized workers in Ontario. Hargrove blasted the Harris government for rolling back the clock in one of the most prosperous jurisdictions in the world. In other provinces like Quebec, and in Europe, where the work week has in some countries been shortened to 32 hours, the legislation is moving in the other direction.
Tribute To Sam Gindin
A warm tribute was paid to Sam Gindin who has retired from CAW staff after decades of dedicated service to the union. Gindin, an economist, was assistant to CAW president Buzz Hargrove and headed the union's research department. In honour of Sam's profound impact on the CAW, the union has earmarked $1 million for the creation of a chair in left political studies Sam Gindin and social justice at Toronto's Ryerson Polytechnical University. Ryerson president Claude Lajeunesse said the creation of the chair will help ensure students receive a high quality and relevant education. He said the chair will help raise awareness and understanding of social justice issues. In addition to the CAW's $1 million commitment Ryerson has also committed to raise an additional $1 million. Speaker after speaker recounted the impact Gindin's work had on building the CAW into a progressive, active and growing trade union. Guest speakers included former UAW Canadian area director Dennis McDermott, who hired Gindin, former CAW president and past CLC president Bob White; Peggy Nash, assistant to CAW president Buzz Hargrove; youth activist Ken Lewenza Jr., York University professor Leo Panitch, and Sam's son Jonah. Hargrove lauded Gindin for his hard work, modesty, great sense of humour and dedication to the union. Gindin was also commended for helping to build the CAW's commitment to social unionism. One of Sam's great strengths is his ability to help others build the confidence to make a difference, Hargrove said. "This man is the anchor to the kind of union we are all about."
Falconbridge Strike
CAW Local 598 president Rolly Gauthier blasted Falconbridge for intimidation and its blatant attempt to break the union. He said the company has tried in a rewrite to simply wipe out a huge part of the collective agreement with Local 598 including job security provisions. "There is no question that the company's actions are to try and break the union," Gauthier said. But Gauthier also outlined the solidarity as well as the support from the community for the 1,250 CAW Local 598 members who have been on strike for five months seeking a fair and just collective agreement. Hargrove told delegates the message to the owners of Falconbridge is that the CAW won't allow its members to be starved out. He vowed that the CAW's membership would outlast the company, who he urged to get back to the bargaining table.
Quebec Nurses Fightback
Jennie Skene, president of the Quebec Federation of Nurses, outlined the struggle of nurses in Quebec under the Bouchard provincial government to ensure quality, accessible, universal public health services. She outlined the tough penalties nurses faced under very strict Quebec laws that included the loss of two days pay for each day on strike and the removal of the Rand Formula. Quebec nurses overcame numerous obstacles during and after a 23-day strike. Although the 45,000 member nurses federation is independent and not affiliated to any union central, Skene said she remains convinced it's critical to build solidarity with other unions in Quebec, Canada and internationally.
Fighting Homelessness
"In a country this rich there should be no homelessness period," said Kathy Hardill, a community health nurse who has worked with homeless people on the streets of Toronto for 12 years. She slammed government inaction on the issue and blasted the Ontario government for waging war on the poor. In Toronto, local politicians fund police to clear homeless people out of parks and off streets at a time when there is a 1,000 bed shortfall in shelters, she said. People are homeless because they are poor not because they are lazy or unwilling to work, Hardill said. Many homeless people are working poor who are forced into low paying jobs that others refuse to do and which are often unsafe. The homeless struggle with high disease rates, chronic depression, violence, overcrowding in shelters, theft and a lack of dignity. And because of crowded and often violent conditions many homeless refuse to sleep in shelters. The result is that for the first time since the 1930s depression there are shanty towns in ravines, under bridges and vacant pieces of land. In the last six months alone in Toronto five homeless people have been murdered. "Homelessness is a life threatening condition," Hardill said.
Canadians At Work Millennium Project
The CAW millennium project photo book, Canadians At Work was introduced to delegates by photographer Vince Pietropaolo. The hardcover black and white photography book features 190 images of CAW members doing their jobs in workplaces from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic. The final images were selected from more than 20,000 photos taken over an 18-month period. Hargrove said there was an incredible effort put into the creation of the book, which truly reflects the growing diversity of the CAW, Canada's largest private sector union. Pietropaolo said this type of book chronicling the joys and the struggles of workers doing their jobs is rare in the history of photography and a first in Canada. Too often Canada is portrayed to the world in photographs of its scenic beauty only. "Where are the pictures of the workers who built the cities and who toil in the factories?...," he said. Because a camera is such a powerful witness to what working life is really like, employers are often reluctant to allow images to be taken of workers in their workplaces. Pietropaolo said Canada's real strength and beauty can be found in the pages of Canadians At Work - in the revealing images of workers earning a living. As the introduction to Canadians At Work explains it's "...a voyage of photography, an exploration into the hidden landscape of workplaces and workers' faces that defines Canada as much as anything every could." An introductory essay by retired CAW economist Sam Gindin sets the context of the photos. Pietropaolo said Canadians At Work adds an important chapter in Canadian history and most importantly to Canada's working class history. To purchase a copy of the book contact the University of Toronto Press by calling 1-800-565-9523 or faxing 1-800-221-9985. Canadians At Work is also available in many bookstores.
Hector McLellan Wins Bud Jimmerfield Award
The CAW's Year 2000 Bud Jimmerfield Award winner is from CAW Local 27 in London where he is the Health and Safety Representative for General Motors London Diesel workers. Hector McLellan was born in Scotland and after coming to Canada in 1974, he began working at General Motors London Diesel plant in 1975. He was elected Health and Safety Representative by the plant workers in 1987 and has been re-elected in every election ever since. Within CAW Local 27, McLellan has served as the Chairperson of the Local Health, Safety and Environment Committee, Chairperson of the Political Action Committee and served on the Education Committee. Outside of his local, McLellan is the Chairperson of the CAW Council Health and Safety Committee, has been active in the London & District Labour Council (though not recently), helped to found the London & District Labour Health Clinic, was head of the London South NDP Association, and Chairperson of the London Occupational Safety and Health (LOSH) Committee which has published books for activists on RSIs and on young workers' health and safety (The First Step). Winner of the Workers Health and Safety Centre Activist Award, the Tim Hickman Award, and now, the highest Health, Safety and Environment and Workers' Compensation Award in the CAW, the Bud Jimmerfield Award, McLellan was warmly congratulated by hundreds of delegates.
Two CAW Candidates Elected NDP Members Of Parliament
Two candidates supported by the CAW National union were elected November 27 as federal NDP MPs. Joe Comartin, of CAW Legal Services, was elected NDP MP for Windsor-St.Clair. In the Nova Scotia riding of Sackville-Musquodoboit Valley-Eastern Shore, CAW Local 1990 member Peter Stoffer was also re-elected. A total of nine CAW members ran in the last federal election.
