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• Communications, Energy Paperworkers president Don Holder addresses rally of 3,000 people outside Vancouver Art Gallery Dec. 1, called to protest MacMillan Bloedel's open-shop policy.
MacBlo boycott launched in fight over union shop
UFAWU delegates to the B.C. Federation of Labour joined thousands of other trade unionists as they marched through downtown Vancouver Dec. 1 to protest lumber giant MacMillan Bloedel's open-shop contracting policy in Port Alberni.
The day before delegates to the federation's convention voted unanimously to launch a boycott of MacMillan Bloedel as part of a campaign that unionists say is crucial to the future of trade unionism in the province.
"This is a watershed dispute — and it's vital that we all support it," Brian Payne, vice-president of the Communication, Energy and Paper-workers, told the convention Nov. 30.
Doug Lesire, president of CEP Local 592 which represents pulpworkers at MB's pulp mill at Port Alberni said
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the union had been told by plant management that it was building trade jobs that were currently being contracted out "but it would be our jobs tomorrow."
MacMillan Bloedel triggered the dispute with the Building Trades earlier this year when it cancelled the contract with the low bidding union contractor to construct its Alberni Specialities Pulp and Paper mill — known as the Nexgen mill — and brought in TNL Construction instead. TNL has become notorious because it is certified with the employer-influenced "rat" union, the Canadian Iron Steel and Industrial Workers. The company's decision ended a 47-year-old policy whereby mill construction would be carried out with union crews.
In response, Building Trades unions have maintained a mass picket outside the site for more than 10 weeks, despite the arrest of 65 people who are now facing criminal contempt charges for defying a court injunction. Members of the CEP themselves launched legal strike action against MB last month, with maintenance of the union shop a key issue in the dispute.
Another 35 people were arrested last week as RCMP brought in its tactical squad to escort a busload of TNL workers across the picket line.
The resolution adopted by delegates Nov. 30 emphasized that the fight in Port Alberni "is a critical struggle for the whole labour movement to defend union recognition...."
It called for:
• A province-wide campaign in solidarity with the Building Trades, the IWA-Canada and the pulp unions;
• An immediate consumer boycott of all MacMillan Bloedel products;
• Co-ordinated economic action against MB;
• Establishment of a central fund to provide financial support to affiliates involved in this job action.
IWA-Canada president Gerry Stoney told the convention that the union fully accepted the boycott "even though we know full well that it could mean our members' jobs down the road.
"But MacMillan Bloedel will bleed a lot along the way," he said.
Both Stoney and CEP president Don Holder announced that their unions would end any cooperation with MacMillan Bloedel is resolved.
*We won't work with them on their timber supply or anything else until such time as they agree that a rat union isn't acceptable, that nonunion isn't acceptable," Stoney declared.
Elsewhere in the convention, delegates voted to step up their efforts to compel the federal government to protect the country's social programs, including unemployment insurance, from cuts proposed in such government initiatives as social security reform.
A special resolution demanded that Ottawa guarantee the stability of social programs through a fair taxation system, with the wealthy and corporations paying their full share.
It also called on the federation to:
• Work with coalitions of labour and community groups to resist changes to social security;
• Press the provincial government to speak out against the process of federal "reform";
• Support the Canadian Labour Congress in its campaigns;
• Take all actions necessary, up to an including job action, to protect Canadians against cuts to unemployment insurance benefits and other social programs.
8 • THE FISHERMAN / DECEMBER 13, 1994