January, 1999
Labor Party Press
Buzz Hargrove:
'There is a
Class War Here'
Excerpts from a talk by Buzz Hargrove,
President of the Canadian Auto Workers Union
 |
|
Photo ©Michael Kaufman, Impact Visuals |
|
I bring you greetings from the Canadian Auto Workers and the 2.3 million
members of the Canadian Labour Congress, of which I’m a vice president.
I never thought I would see a labor party in the United States. I
can’t tell you what a pleasure it is to be here!
There is a class struggle in this country. Working people need a party
that represents the interests of working people. If we don’t build from our
grassroots, we will continue to see the rich building mountains of wealth while the number
of poor and underprivileged continue to grow.There is a class struggle going on in this
country, and we’re part of it. A labor party is extremely important.
As you watch what happens in Asia and now Latin America and Russia, the
bailouts that are taking place there are defending capital and protecting the interests of
capital against the poor. I’ve heard for years the arguments about the Asian
"tiger economies" and how wonderful they were. And we have to ask ourselves,
what was that model? A model of no workers rights, no social safety nets, no restrictions
on capital. When they pull out, who pays the penalty? Not the casino capitalists. Any
party that doesn’t recognize this formidable abuse of power, and does not have a
platform to deal with it, is not worthy of working people.
I think I can bring a note of optimism about building a party of working
people. We [the builders of Canada’s New Democratic Party] started out when I was a
youngster – we were made up of trade unions, women’s groups, farmers, academics
and intellectuals. And we went through debates like you’re going through here. But
believe me, it was a challenge well worth the undertaking, well worth the sweat.
Will it be perfect? No. I find myself at odds with many of the policies of
our party today and have to force them to remember the struggles, where they came from.
And if we’re not convinced that the NDP will continue to represent all the people
struggling to make a living, then by God, we will in the new millennium form a labor party
that does represent working people.
But since we created the NDP, we have seen steady improvements in social
standards in Canada. In almost every province in Canada – until recently —
unions had card check recognition and a union shop. We were able to bring in unemployment
insurance, pension plans, a social welfare system, a decent minimum wage... And best of
all, we have a healthcare system that covers everyone.
In Canada, we’re going into a period where in Ontario we have a
right-wing government that shares a lot of ideas with Newt Gingrich.
We decided we had to go into the streets and reach out to our social
partners — the underprivileged, the seniors, the unemployed and others who believe
that we need a society based on equality and social justice. A week later, we stopped all
industry for a day. By God, they will not destroy the solidarity we have built in this
country!
We believe strongly as a union in social unionism. An important part of
our role is to bargain the best wages, benefits and job security we can for our members.
But just as important is to be part of the growing struggle together with the community
– to make sure that everyone is brought along with us.
One thing I’ve learned in my life in the labor movement –
capital yields nothing without a struggle. And they’ll continue to take and take.
Until the labor movement and the communities fight back.
|
