[Imc-newsroom] Fw: CDUI BC Carpenters to vote on autonomy in November

[david johnson]

BC Carpenters to vote on autonomy in November
----- Original Message ----- 
From: dave 
To: CDUI at yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2003 5:17 PM
Subject: CDUI BC Carpenters to vote on autonomy in November


http://www.carpentersunionbc.com/Level/Oct_03.html
Ballot to settle affiliation question
BC Carpenters to vote on autonomy in November

"British Columbia Carpenters Union members will get to cast the most important ballot in the history of the organization in November," says BC Provincial Council of Carpenters president Len Embree. In an interview announcing a letter going out to the membership, Embree outlined the importance of a strong YES vote in the upcoming referendum.

"Although some members may be asking 'Why have another vote? Just get on with it!' we must send a strong message to Canadian unions (and the International) that the majority of members in BC clearly support autonomy," said Embree.

The ballot, which asks if members wish to transfer their affiliation away from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America to a Canadian union, is necessary at this time, said Embree, because the International has clearly demonstrated that it is unwilling to abide by the membership's wishes.

"We need to be able to show the Canadian labour movement, including the Canadian Labour Congress, that our members are determined to protect their democratic rights to determine their own destiny," he said. "We must transfer our affiliation away from the International in order to become a Canadian union or to affiliate with one."

Embree said this referendum "will allow us to achieve our autonomy and continue to participate in the Canadian house of labour as a Canadian union."

The International, according to Embree, has made it clear under its restructuring edict that they will not allow democratic votes or officer elections. They intend, he said, "to decimate Local Union autonomy
by transferring your assets to a gang of Washington appointees."

A number of Canadian unions have pledged support for an autonomous BC Carpenters Union, offering financial and political backing "including the possibility of mergers if it comes to that," said Embree.

Embree is convinced that no effective organizing can take place until we can tell Canadian workers that their dues will remain in their own country to used for issues that they support and decide on by a vote.

For more information, please see President's Corner page 8 and Council Comment page 7

"Whether that be electing officers, hiring organizers and representatives or negotiating collective agreements," he said. "The right to vote on these decisions belongs to the members paying for them out of their dues."

Embree said that those collective rights have been fought for over the generations and "We are not going to hand that over now, or ever." He explained that in no other country in the world do workers send per capita taxes to a foreign power. He said that workers in Great Britain, Germany, France or even Mexico would never pay per capita tax to the USA.

Embree also said there are practical reasons for maintaining Canadian autonomy. He feels there can be more work for union members if we are aligned with some of the larger Canadian industrial unions. "I say this because of the experience of large industrial unions like the CAW and CEP who had to fight their American head offices for their independence. Now they are considerably larger and stronger than when they were branch plants of American international unions."

The issue of assets, more than any other, exposes the International's true intentions, stated Embree. "The International claims that all the assets built up by the British Columbia membership over the years belongs not to the members but to Washington!" he said. "We consider this not only wrong, but immoral. In autonomous Canadian unions assets are held in the name of Local Unions in trust for the membership."

If the number of past and current court cases are any criteria, the International will probably drag the BC membership through many more months of litigation before letting go, he said. "The International's behaviour indicates a long fight. So be it. Their continuing legal attacks are more justification for autonomy."

Embree claimed the ballot is long overdue. "Staying with the International will not solve any of our problems here in Canada. Only as a free and autonomous organization will we be able to make the changes necessary to grow and properly represent Canadian workers," he said.

This is a copy of the ballot that BC Carpenters Union members will use to finally determine the direction the organization will take for the future -This is the vote that counts. When it comes in the mail mark it YES for Canadian democracy and membership rights...
British Columbia Provincial Council of Carpenters
BALLOT
AFFILIATION TO CANADIAN UNION
Do you wish to transfer the affiliation of the British Columbia Provincial Council of Carpenters and its affiliated Local Unions from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America to a Canadian union?
Yes
No



-- 
fraternally, dave livingston :: http://carpentersunionbc.com :: http://rawblogxport.blogspot.com/

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