ONTARIO FEDERATION OF LABOUR(OFL) 9TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION

This year marks the 50th anniversaty of the OFL. The convention was held in Toronto during the week of November 26 – 30, 2007 inclusive, with the theme “50 Years of Solidatiry Honouring Our Past – Organizing for the Future”. Delegation representation was less than in previous years, and Tuesday elections saw no change to the current executive: Wayne Samuelson, President, Irene Harris, Secretary Treasurer, and Terry Downey, Executive Vice-President.

Welcome greetings were delivered by Brother John Cartwright, President of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council, and David Miller, Mayor of the City of Toronto.

Delegates received a heart wrenching presentation from Dr Ann-Marie Zajdlik, MD CCFP, on the devasting impact aids and HIV have had on the families she administers to at the Masai Centre in Africa. Dr Zajdlik also explain the “hand up” the women of that community have received from the “Bracelet of Hope” initiative.

Brother Leo Gerard, International President United Steel Workers (USW), and Brother Ken Georgetti, President Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), spoke to the issues facing labour today. Brother Gerard spoke to the value and importance of a global labour movement and identified some of the international alliances that USW has established. President CLC was challenged and refused to take a position on the CAW Magna Agreement by stating (not verbatim) that affiliates are free to do what they think is in the best interest of their members. This was met with a chorus of boos. Brother Gerard was less polite on the subject. The message from the delegates was very clear, labour in Ontario will not relinquish their right to strike (see Emergency Resolution 5 below).

So what is the Magna Agreement? In the words of some of the delegates, CAW sold its right to strike and name their representatives in return for new members. As a result, “18,000 members employed in 45 Magna workplaces will have no right to strike, and all collective agreements that weren’t settled at the bargaining table would be subject to binding arbitration”. Each shop would only have one union representative called an “employee advocate”. For additional information. goggle “Magna Agreement”.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) distributed a form letter speaking out again Bil C-14, a bill that would amend the Canada Post Corporation Act and if passed would partially deregulate Canada Post’s exclusive right to deliver international mail. (See Resolution 64 below). The CUPW members are asking for support in their letter writing campaign.

Resolutions

There were 78 resolutions and one (1) constitutional resolution included in the delegate kits. The following Resolutions were adopted while I was in attendance at convention:

Emergency Resolution #1 – Stop Toxic Imports – USW Local 4153

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ontario Federation of Labour and its affiliates vigorously encourage all members to fax, write and email Prime Minister Stephen Harper to terminate unfair trade policies that continue to destroy our manufacturing jobs, exploit foreign workers, and allow for toxic imports to harm Canadians.

http://www.uswa.org/uswa/program/content/overview_sub.php?modules2_ID=794&modules_ID=794

Emergency Resolution #5 – USW Local 8782

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 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.

Composite Resolution 1 (to include 74, 75, 76) – Campaign to Confront and Educate Homophobia, Transphobia and Heterosexism – OSSTF District 22

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OFL, with its affiliates and the LGBT community launch a province wide campaign to educate and confront homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism for the May 17th National Day Against Homophobia 2008 and continuing through regional pride events.

Most of the debate on this resolution was around the lack of understanding of what heterosexism meant. For the benefit of the members, heterosexism is defined as “a term denoting the presumption that everyone is heterosexual and/or the belief that heterosexual people are naturally superior to homosexual and bisexual people. Heterosexism also encompasses discrimination and prejudice in favor of heterosexual people over gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. As a predisposition toward heterosexuals and heterosexuality, heterosexism has been described as being "encoded into and characteristic of the major social, cultural, and economic institutions of our society."[1]

Heterosexism thus includes the underlying beliefs and attitudes of such preference. Stemming from the essentialist cultural notion that maleness-masculinity and femaleness-femininity are complementary, heterosexism is not limited to heterosexuals; people of any sexual orientation, including gay men, lesbians or bisexuals, can hold heterosexist beliefs.”

Resolution 1, 6, 7 – Card Check Certification - Toronto & York Labour Council

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OFL work with the CLC, local labour councils, community allies and all unions in Ontario to create a powerful campaign to win the restoration of card based certificcation, and to help secure the dedicated resources needed toeffectively mobilize in workplaces and communities across Ontario to achieve this cricial goal.

Resolution 23 – USW Locals 1005, 8412 – Work Refusal Reprisals

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Ontario Federation of Labour and its affiliates lobby the Ministry of Labour to initiate legislation giving inspectors the immediate authority to act on any reprisal against any worker who has enacted a work refusal.

Resolution 38 – Demanding Quality Patient Care in Hospitals - ONA

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ontario Federation of Labour and its affiliates call upon the Ontario government to move swiftly to fund public home care, long term care and hospitals to meet the current realities of patient demographics and take action to eliminate hallway nursing.

Resolution 40, 68, 73 – Women’s Advocacy and Research Funding Cuts – OECTA

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OFL urge the CLC to coordinate a cohesive labour response to provide transitional funding to support four national women’s organizations and further submit a resolution to the CLC convention.

Resolution 50 – Oppression of the Teacher’s Union in Oaxaca, Mexico – OECTA

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the OFL demand that the Oaxaca and Mexican governments release of all trade union and other activists who have been detained and that these same governments investigate all of the assassinations committed and that all those responsible be brought to justice,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OFL demand that these governments immediately begin negotiations with Section 22 of the SNTE Oaxaca and quickly find a solution to the teacher unio conflict in Oaxaca.

Resolution 64 – Universal Public Post Office – CUPW

BE IT RESOLVED that the Ontario Federation of Labour support universal, public postal service and oppose post office closures and the privatization or deregulation of Canada Post.

In addition to the many resolutions debated and carried, the delegates adopted policy papers on “Jobs” and “Public Services”.

Last, but not least, I have left the most controversial issue that the UNDE delegates faced to the end . The following resolutions were debated on the convention floor on Wednesday afternoon. From all reports, I am very proud to say that UNDE and PSAC members, dressed in red “We Support the Troops” t-shirts, stacked the con mikes in an attempt to explain the CF’s role in Afghanistan and to educate the delegates about the good things that the CF is doing, ie reconstruction and the provision of medical aid.

Unfortunately, Resolution 54 Canadian Military in Afghanistan, submitted by UNDE Local 605 received a non-concurrence from the committee. It read:

BE IT RESOLVED that the OFL provide written information to the membership that gives a complete explanation of the Canadian Military’s role in Afghanistan;

BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED that the OFL provides information to the membership that clearly defines the difference between the role of a peace keeper and a soldier in a war zone;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OFL provides information to the membership on the impact to unionized jobs in the province if the Canadian Military did not require their services.

Resolution 53 - Troops Out of Afghanistan – CUPE Local 1281 and

Resolution 55 – Withdraw Canadian Troops from Afghanistan – USW Local 8300

BE IT RESOLVED that the OFL will:

1. Educate, mobilize workers to oppose the Canadian military intervention in Afghanistan;

2. Build a solidarity campaign with Afghani workers, social justice and women’s organizations; and

3. Join with the CLC and other labour and civil organizations to pressure the Canadian government to end the military occupation in Afghanistan and support Canadian soldiers to prevent forced engagement in this unjust war.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Ontario Federation of Labour call for the immediate withdrawal of Canadian Troops from Afghanistan.

Debate was heated and the Chair was challenged more than once, especially when he tested the house to call the question when the President UNDE was the next speaker at the mike. Following the passing of Resolutions 53 and 54 – although not unanimously passed – all UNDE members and some other PSAC delegates, left the convention floor and refused to attend the Order of the Day Thursday morning to hear Jack Layton, Leader of the Federal NDP. This issue is to be discussed further at the upcoming UNDE National Executive meeting.

I have to say that although I only attended the convention for two days, this was one of the more controversial conventions I have attended, with the CAW Magna Agreement and the war in Afghanistan issues facing the delegates.

In solidarity,

Mary Chamberlain
UNDE Executive Vice President