:: rawblogXport ::

:: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 ::

Where Does The Steelworkers' Loyalty Lie? ufcw.net, Members for Democracy
Where will the Canadian Steelworkers/IWA recruits' priorities lie with the institutionalized Steelworkers and the strong arm of the American government? Will the American government give a damn about Canadian workers and or unemployment lines or will they continue at all cost to protect American interests? We think the latter - American interests - if history is any indication.

The Steelworkers, the merge-happy international union, have also formed an official alliance with the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE), another American-based union. PACE has publicly supported the US Lumber Coalition in its actions against Canada. The U.S. lumber coalition has argued that Canada unfairly subsidizes its lumber industry, so that Canadian lumber can be sold cheaper.

PACE, along with the US Lumber Coalition said, 'American forest landowners, lumber mills and workers are paying the price for Canada's unfair trade practices...'.

PACE stood right beside IWA opponents in this trade war and now desire to be one of our partners - perhaps the old adage about staying close to your enemies applies.

People need to be aware of and to digest this information before they cast their ballots in August 2004. Why would IWA members vote in favour of belonging to a union that has formed an official alliance with another union that has publicly opposed the Canadian position in the Canada/USA softwood lumber dispute?

posted 6:35 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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