OFL WARNS THAT LABOUR WILL NOT GIVE UP RIGHT TO STRIKE

(The following article is from the December 1-31, 2007 issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St. Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.

The Ontario Federation of Labour held its 50th anniversary convention at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto starting Monday, November 26. Key issues before the delegates included the massive job losses in the resource and manufacturing sectors, and the right to strike in the context of the controversial "Framework of Fairness Agreement" signed recently by the Canadian Autoworkers and the Magna auto parts giant.

     After a good debate, the following resolution on the Magna deal and the right to strike was adopted unanimously by the over 800 delegates present in the hall. The CAW is not currently affiliated to the OFL; the CAW Council will discuss the Magna agreement at a meeting in Toronto this month.

Ontario Federation of Labour Emergency Resolution #5, submitted by USW Local 8782:

WHEREAS on November 6, 2007, some leaders of the CAW endorsed the Magna "Framework of Fairness Agreement" with Magna International Corporation.

WHEREAS this agreement removes from potential CAW members both the right to strike and democratic representation in their union and workplaces;

WHEREAS the OFL must continue a lead role as the voice of labour in Ontario;

BE IT RESOLVED that this historic 50th Convention of the OFL send a clear message to all employers that labour will not give up the right to strike or to the right to democratic representation  in our unions and our workplaces;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OFL and its affiliates re-affirm the rights of workers to withdraw their labour and the rights of workers for full and democratic participation in their unions and workplaces.

Found at: http://www.peoplesvoice.ca/articleprint08/04__OFL_WARNS_THAT_LABOUR_WILL_NOT_GIVE.html