July 2017 Socialist.Ca $65 BILLION WASTED NDP Left Shift? Ritch Whyman on How Leadership Bid Can Open Space for Movements Page 2

Oil workers: No is Not Enough – a radical history the anti-Trump guide

PAGES 4-5 PAGE 7 Photo: Kourosh Keshiri

$2 | No 594 | July 2017 socialist.ca $65 BILLION WASTED NDP left shift? Ritch Whyman on how leadership bid can open space for movements Page 2

Stop the hate Carolyn Egan on unions opposing Islamophobia Page 5

Trump says ‘jump’ – PM Trudeau answers ‘how high?’ as Canada massively increases defence spending. Right-wing, with dimples John Bell on new Tory leader Andrew Scheer STOP THE Page 7 Trump climate Brian Champ looks at impact of US leaving Paris Climate Accord LIBERAL Page 3 Electric cars Sam Connolly on why they are not a climate fix Page 2

WARhe federal Liberal government has da’s shame thatBINGE they have decided to prioritize year. This plan would also create 30,000 jobs have decided to continue the Harper govern- announced a massive increase in mil- weapons of war rather than take care of the each year. ment’s plan to decrease health transfer spending itary spending over the next decade. basic needs of First Nations. Liberals claim the money will be used to by $36 billion over the same period as the mili- T They plan to increase spending by a Why do they want to spend so much on defend the country in an increasingly hostile tary spending increases. total of $65 billion, with yearly spending up war? According to Minister of Foreign Affairs world. The world is hostile, not because of too And what of a planned pharmacare program from the current $20 billion to $36 billion. Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Defence Har- little defence spending but because of the bru- or money for subsidized daycare? These pro- It seems that whenever we need money for jit Sajjan, the Liberals want to project Canadi- tal wars started by western countries. It’s like grams would have an immediate and beneficial things human beings actually need, the cup- an leadership on the world stage. If they were saying that the best way to put out this fire is to impact on the health and wellbeing of the peo- board is bare. But when our government wants serious about that leadership, they would use pour some more gas on it. ple. Instead, the Liberals want armed drones to go to war, the money is always available. this money to meet and exceed Canada’s green- The last thing the world needs is more weap- that can assassinate people on the other side of There are currently 150 indigenous commu- house gas emission targets. onry in the hands of the imperial powers. In the world. nities without clean drinking water. Millions of According to Greenpeace, it would cost Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Libya the main Austerity and war go hand in hand. As long dollars promised to support indigenous children $15,000 to retrofit an individual building to reason for the ongoing chaos is that the US and as money goes to militarism, it will not be used have not been released, despite many court make it more energy efficient. For $1.5 bil- its allies have obliterated the countries. to benefit humanity. It’s time to tell the Liberals rulings that the Liberals do so. It is to Cana- lion, we could retrofit 100,000 buildings a And what of health spending? The Liberals to cancel the money for war. FEDERAL NDP LEADERSHIP Electric cars are no cure Tap into bitterness of 99% for climate by Ritch Whyman

ith three months left in the federal crisis New Democratic Party leadership race questions are being asked as by Sam Connolly Wto why it hasn’t sparked any boost to the party in either polls or a swell in grass- Bad news: Donald Trump is pulling roots interest. the United States out of the Paris The NDP languishes at 15% support in the agreement, one of the largest polls. Yet the terrain is favourable to a party icebergs is about to break off of that is seen as fighting for the working class, Antarctica, and electric cars are that reaches out and taps into the bitterness just one more detour to climate and anger of the 99%. catastrophe. Instead the most remarkable part of the When electric cars leave the leadership race to date has been that it hasn’t manufacturer, they are the cause of generated much interest beyond the political significantly more CO2 emissions than commentariat and party members themselves. a gasoline powered car. This is due The public debates haven’t produced a clear the production of the battery, which is frontrunner, although two candidates, Peter essentially the gas tank of an electric Julian from BC and Niki Ashton from Manito- car. These lithium-ion batteries often ba, have pushed the debate to the left. used in electric cars are energy In the Toronto debate, Ashton deepened her intensive to produce. reputation as the most left candidate and the Additionally, the raw materials for one most open to linking up with struggles these batteries are largely mined, outside of parliament. Her references to Cor- causing the other ground and water byn and Sanders received large applause. She pollution associated with mining. is calling for a platform against austerity and NDP leadership campaign: the only space to move is to the left. There is potential for recycling of these against attempts to privatize services. battery materials, though it is currently The one province where the NDP tried to This means that the campaigns are tightly more expensive than mining new Provincial NDP governments take a page out of the Corbyn playbook was controlled and not based on mobilising and materials. The fortunes of the NDP federally have al- in Nova Scotia, where Gary Burrill won the raising expectations but by showing how “re- CO2 production by electric cars ways been linked to the track records of leadership on a platform to move the NDP to sponsible” the NDP will be in government. depends most on how the electricity their provincial counterparts. The excitement the left. In the provincial election, the NDP The whole history of the NDP in power has it uses is produced. In areas where around Rachel Notley defeating the Tories in was able to gain seats and defeat some leading been one of, at best, dashed hopes and, at electricity is coal-based, electric Alberta on a platform that promoted a $15 Liberals. worst, open attacks on workers and the poor. cars are no better than gasoline minimum wage has given way to demoralisa- Even in opposition the NDP seeks to con- powered cars. For Canada, the lifetime tion as the Alberta NDP supports the growth Need to move left tain and channel opposition into parliamentary production of CO2 by electric cars of the tar sands and hugely unpopular pipe- It should be clear to the NDP leadership that debates. This was seen when the NDP was is lower only in British Columbia, lines. there is no room in the centre, the only space prepared to drop its opposition to the war in Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. In Manitoba the NDP lost badly after intro- to move is to the left. Afghanistan for a few cabinet positions in a In addition to their higher production ducing an increase to the provincial sales tax So why aren’t the leadership campaign or minority government with the Liberals. of CO2 in manufacturing, electric rather than taxing the wealthy. In Saskatche- the various provincial parties moving left as It is based on the wrong assumption that cars don’t last as long as traditional wan the NDP has been in disarray and unable has been shown to work elsewhere? The prob- power lies in parliament not in the workplace cars. Most gasoline cars will last for to take advantage of the corruption scandals of lem is the very nature of Social Democratic or the street. However, a quick look at most of 320,000km, whereas electric car the right wing Saskatchewan party. parties. the reforms that have made gains for working batteries last half as long—or around In Ontario the NDP polls well behind the Firstly, the various swings to the left and people have come not from parliamentary mo- 160,000km. Though the battery can Tories, who have captured the anger over for more activist parties haven’t been done tions but from struggles outside of parliament. be replaced, it is a major source of Hydro costs. The party has been outflanked, through the “official channels” of the parties. But a shift to the left by the NDP can help CO2 production. again, to the left by the ruling Liberals who In the UK, Corbyn relied on his years of being create openings for the left both in and out of In the best-case scenario, an have just introduced sweeping labour law re- linked to the anti-war and anti-racist move- the NDP. That is why it is important to push electric car will produce half the CO2 form. Unfortunately the NDP has done little to ments, and he linked his campaign to struggles for the leadership campaign to break out of the emissions of a regular gasoline car. relate to or organise around the anger at Hydro outside of the Labour party. constraints of the party brass. This is with the use of only electricity bills and Liberal corruption. Secondly, any campaign that is contained Candidates should seek to replicate the suc- generated by renewable energy and The only beacon of hope this year was that by the NDP party leadership will reflect the cess of Corbyn by moving beyond these con- when having the cars for comparable the BC NDP could defeat the right wing Liber- parliamentary logic that the main objective is straints, reaching out to those beyond the party time. al Party. Despite being well up in the polls, the win seats and manage capital in a more hu- and speaking to and mobilising the aspirations Even if every car on the road were NDP was unable to capture a majority. mane way. of the 99%. fully electric, the vast majority of CO2 being released into the atmosphere would continue. Mass transit Interview with Peter Julian Electric cars are not a solution for the levels of CO2 production, not even by Kevin Taghabon banking network. What it does is provide ac- When you talk to [Department of] Justice of- in the transit industry. Mass transit cess to banking services right across the coun- ficials, they actually indicate that the penchant produces far fewer emissions per KT: What is your position on the United Na- try. A second key example is the Smart Grid for violence in terms of the collective violence person, per kilometer than electric tions Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous that needs to be put in place. It starts with in North America is above all from white su- cars. People (UNDRIP)? Alberta and Saskatchewan, retraining energy premacists. Currently, 75 per cent of Canadians PJ: The federal government should be sign- workers. The Smart Grid is something that We saw this in Quebec. If we actually want commute using a personal vehicle, ing it, implementing it. We talk about UNDRIP would be under public ownership. to build safety and security in this country it compared to the 12 per cent using and the process of reconciliation, but also the What that does again is democratize sourc- takes a whole different approach. That’s mak- public transportation. Personal emergency supports that need to be brought in es of energy. We’ve seen in Europe, having a ing sure vulnerable communities have the re- vehicles, electric or not, cause many to indigenous communities. There are crises Smart Grid in place has allowed energy coop- sources they need, ensuring that we have men- other environmental and socio- of mental health and addiction, of affordable eratives, municipalities, communities to ac- tal health supports and addiction supports. economic problems. Cars encourage housing, drinkable water, that need to be ad- tually feed into the grid. What we see then is The man that went up to Parliament Hill sprawl, long-hour commutes, and dressed immediately. public ownership also fuelling other types of [2014 shooting] had been identified in my social isolation. And more importantly, looking at the fun- ownership that helps to benefit whole commu- community in BC by the local Mosque. They Electric cars are one more thing to damental issue of [UNDRIP’s] free prior and nities. sought supports for him. He was on a waiting produce and market. The automobile informed consent. That’s what we’re seeing This government is not going to be repealing list for months. industry is interested in expanding the around energy projects, that being pushed Bill C-51. It doesn’t seem that this government What movements do you draw inspiration market for new vehicles, not protecting aside. If the process of reconciliation teaches is serious about tackling mass surveillance from for your campaign? the environment. us anything it’s that we have to change the [and] protecting the privacy of citizens. The environmental movement, absolutely. We must demand free, comfortable, government relationship with indigenous com- It is not mass surveillance that is going to What we’re seeing is young Canadians inconvenient, public transportation to munities. protect us. That is a wrong-headed myth that volved in unprecedented numbers. The push significantly change our path from [Candidates] talked about the creation of is put out by the Right. One of the key ele- [against] pipelines that are being promoted by climate catastrophe. Building this crown corporations that are responsible for ments that communities that are vulnerable the Trudeau government. They’re saying “no, mass, sustainable infrastructure is green transition. Are you interested in nation- right across the country have been calling for this is not the way we want to do this.” I get part of a just transition for workers alizing any other industries? is support to counter radicalization. Those inspiration from them and also the movement and an essential step to stop the Establishing, re-establishing the postal communities have received no support at all. to end tuition fees. climate crisis.

2 Socialist Worker July 2017 100,000 protest in UK by Socialist Worker UK

A great wave of defiance against Theresa May’s government swept through central London on July 1st. Tens of thousands of people marched who are angry at austerity, racism and pay cuts. The Grenfell Tower fire was seen by many as the symbol of all that is wrong with a society that puts profit before people’s lives. And there was universal fury at the grubby deal with the bigots of the Democratic Unionist Party that is enabling May to stay in office— and continue to implement her toxic policies. Several of the speakers at the rally said 100,000 had joined the “Tories Out, Not One Day More” demonstration. Called by the People’s Assembly and backed by many trade unions and campaigns, it showed the mood to resist the Tories—and also a sense of optimism and confidence after the surge for Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party in the general election. It was a very positive sign of the readiness for a fightback and to push for a different sort of society. In front of a crowd singing “Oh Jeremy Cor- byn” in Parliament Square, the Labour leader said, “When we met in Parliament Square two years ago we had a Tory government in office, hell bent on austerity. The Grenfell Tower fire is seen by many as the symbol of all that is wrong with a society that puts profit before people’s lives. “We said we’d fight that and that’s what we’ve been doing the last two years. “We were written off by the mainstream, but “gross inequality of modern Britain” and the getting branches connected more and start something happened. next one would be too. pushing for action, holding big local rallies. ANGER at the Grenfell Tower fire is “It was the people registering to vote and Len McCluskey, the Unite union general sec- They’ve got to give a lead.” boiling over across the UK. the people getting involved in the social media retary, said, “You have come from all across the Mona Kamal, a junior doctor, told the rally The criminal neglect that lead to the campaign — and it was the tens of thousands land to fight for a people’s government. to loud cheers, “I was one of the 50,000 junior deaths of at least 79 people happened in who came to rallies saying that the people are “To Theresa May, your party and cruelty doctors that struck last year. the capital of one of the richest countries united and determined.” have failed the people - let Labour get on with “If and when my nursing colleagues do the in the world, in the richest borough in all Corbyn added, “The Tories are in retreat, aus- the job. Prime minister, for the good of the na- same, they will have 50,000 junior doctors of Europe. terity is in retreat, the economic arguments of tion, go and go now.” standing behind them in solidarity. These innocent people died because austerity are in retreat. But some of the marchers were clear they “We are going to keep going until the Tories of cost-cutting that saved £2 per square “It’s those of social justice, of unity, of peo- expect more from the union leaders. are out.” metre for cladding to make the building ple coming together to oppose racism and all Mark, a Unison rep from Manchester said, There is a new sense of hope after the elec- more attractive to rich people nearby. those that would divide us, that are the ones that “There’s a different mood at work now. People tion. But although Conservative MPs could top- A society that won’t spend £20,000 are moving forward. gather to discuss protest and industrial action ple May for their own reasons, getting rid of the on a sprinkler system that would have “This is the age of imagination, this is the whenever someone mentions it. I’ve been say- Tories will require a serious mass mobilisation. saved lives, but will spend £360 million age in which we will achieve that decency and ing to them to join a union and get onto more of The mood for change needs to fuel action in renovating Buckingham Palace for the social justice that we all crave.” these marches. the streets and the workplaces, not just inside Queen, is a rotten society that must go. He added the last election was about the “I’d like to see the union at a regional level the Labour Party or in elections. Trump dumps Paris Climate Accord by Brian Champ wide rift between sections of the elites. The ma- infrastructure decisions and regulations remain Climate justice jority of nations around the world have formally favourable to them. This is most evident in While Trump’s move separates the US from rump announced last month that he was acknowledged the scientific consensus that the oil producing countries like Canada, where involvement in global efforts to address cli- withdrawing the US from participation planet is warming and that it is being caused by the Trudeau government rhetorically supports mate change, the Paris agreement was inade- in the Paris Climate Accord. This was an burning fossil fuels. global efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and quate. Its stated goal is to keep global warming Telection promise, tailored to his base of Some of this is political expediency to pla- yet publicly champions new pipeline projects to 1.5° C, but it is toothless, providing only climate change deniers. cate the growing movement for climate justice, whose inevitable result will be to expand the guidelines for nations to curb emissions while Trump has declared climate change a but many also see an opportunity to profit off tar sands and explode emissions. providing no penalties or mechanisms for en- “hoax”, denying the increasingly undeniable the emergence of new industries and technolo- This split infects the NDP as well: Ra- forcement. fact of rising global average temperatures, gies. Germany relies heavily on oil imports so chel Notley, premier of Alberta, declared the It is a way for governments to be seen to be joining the only two other nations to opt out of of course its elites are going to be more open to Trans-Mountain Pipeline project as “funda- doing something, while attempting to position the accord: Syria and Nicaragua. energy alternatives, and will claim this strategy mentally important” to Alberta job creation, their economies to profit from the emerging This is a terrible blow for the efforts of is driven by concern for the planet. while many grassroots members embrace the clean energy sector and supporting technolo- world leaders to maintain the lead in the fight Similarly, the reaction of newly elected, Leap Manifesto and want to see an end to gies. to curb rising global carbon emissions. Angela right-wing French President Emmanuel Ma- pipeline politics. Trump exposed how inadequate the climate Merkel described the move as “deeply regret- cron to the withdrawal is instructive: “To all accord was by simply walking away with- table…[we] need this Paris accord to preserve scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, responsible out any consequences. The solution is not our creation. Nothing can and will stop us.” citizens who were disappointed by the decision self-serving commitments from sections of Municipal and state governments have of the United States, I want to say that they elites, but mass struggle from below. already responded to the decision by the will find in France a second homeland. I call The emergence of a world-wide move- Trump administration and declared that they on them: Come and work here with us — to ment for climate justice is of incredible will continue to act to meet their emissions work together on concrete solutions for our importance. We have to build on this targets. California and China have inked climate, our environment. I can assure you, movement, strengthening the links between their own bilateral deal to reduce emissions, France will not give up the fight.” Indigenous struggles at the forefront with while Hawaii has enacted legislation align- But these changes, even in countries where workers fighting for a just transition to ing emissions reduction targets to the Paris the drive to reduce emissions has been em- green jobs and with environmental organi- Accord. After Trump tweeted “I was elected braced, cannot change the reality that energy zations that have been sounding the alarm to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not generated from burning fossil fuels is crucial for decades. Paris” to defend the withdrawal, the mayor of to economies the world over, and there are The confusion and divisions at the top, and Pittsburgh pledged that the city was committed structural, economic and political barriers to the general mood for real action on this issue, to emissions reduction targets. overcome. provides a major opportunity for the climate The biggest multinationals in the world justice movement to push for the more fun- Rift among elites are the oil companies, and they exert enor- damental changes to the economy required to A mood for real action on climate crisis. The Trump presidency has laid bare a world- mous pressure on governments to ensure that actually address the crisis.

July 2017 Socialist Worker 3 As one oil worker ex- cessity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” plained, “we recognize that all the things that we have Just transition Labour gained in the way of wages, Oil workers have gone on strike against the and everything else—if you profit-drive leading to spills and explosions, die getting them, they are and also articulated a vision of how to move not going to do you any beyond oil. campaign good.” Unable to dent the As a WWII-vet, Mazzocchi experienced the profits of the oil giant that GI Bill of Rights, which provided education OIL WORKERS: used helicopters to support and training for soldiers so they could transition its scab labour, OCAW from the trenches abroad into jobs at home. In targets called for a boycott of Shell. the 1970s, he spoke with nuclear weapons work- The “Shell No!” campaign ers about the contradictions of their job and the mobilized workers across need for alternatives: “You’re either gonna use the country, from New York this weapon, and none of us will be around, or racism cab drivers who refused to you’re gonna stop making it… Peace is going refuel at Shell stations, to to break out. Then what are you going to do, San Francisco longshore march to demand more hydrogen bombs?” Nurses show solidarity with oil workers at Tesoro refinery workers who refused to un- Then in 1980, the government announced a load Shell oil. Superfund to clean up polluted sites. If there The early environmental movement focused It also included crucial was money to clean up pollution, there should on conservation and the impact of chemicals on support from major environmental organiza- be money to help workers transition out of pol- wildlife—ignoring the workers who produced tions, who issued an open letter a week into the luting industries, and Mazzocchi called for a and were exposed to chemicals. The labour strike: “We have increasingly come to recog- Superfund for Workers. movement linked environmental and health nize that working people are among the hardest Like the vets who were supported in their concerns, and contributed to regulations in the hit by the hazards of pollution in the workplace. transition from military to civilian life, oil and 1970s. If toxic substances are present in oil refineries, atomic workers of his union should get full gov- Following fatal air pollution from a factory they most assuredly are spreading outside the ernment support for the education and training in Pensylvannia, the Steelworkers became a plant walls to neighboring communities… This required to transition from jobs that destroy the driving force for the Clean Air Act. Following struggle is of historic importance in that it is the planet to those that preserve it. mine disasters and chronic lung diseases, coal first time a major union has struck on what is This concept is now known as just transition, miners mobilized to win the Mine Safety and fundamentally an environmental issue. It illus- Health Act. The United Farm Workers made trates the shared opposition to pesticides central to farm workers concerns of work- Ken Smith “We hope we’re unionizing. Declaring that “pesticide poison- ers and environ- ing is more important today than even wages”, mentalists about seeing the end Cesar Chavez launched a grape boycott that the quality of by Carolyn Egan highlighted health concerns, and contributed our environment, of fossil fuels to banning DDT. And oil workers played a key whether inside the Recently, a neo-nazi rally in Calgary brought role in the Occupational Safety and Health Act. plant or beyond for the good out local people in response, strongly object- Anthony Mazzocchi was a WWII-vet and its gates. We sup- ing to their bigotry. This type of event has anti-war labour activist with the Oil, Chemical port the efforts of of everybody. been happening across the country, and it’s and Atomic Workers (OCAW) who saw the the OCAW in de- pretty clear that Donald Trump and others devastating cancer epidemic that struck Navajo manding a better such as Kellie Leitch in the Conservative uranium miners. Inspired by the ecologist Ra- environment, not But … we’re Party have given license to these extremists chel Carson and working with Ralph Nader, he just for its own to spout their hate. A radical history organized townhall meetings across the coun- workers, but for going to need a They have crawled out of the woodwork, try where oil all Americans.” feeling confident that they can draw others workers spoke The strike not transition.” to their cause. by Jesse McLaren But there are contradictions in the oil econ- ‘Baku’ is pronounced in American? It is pro- part of a mass revolution that toppled the Shah. out against the only won the demands for safety committees The economic crisis and the anxiety so omy. Despite the mobility of oil once it’s ex- nounced ‘oil’! And American capitalism is Because of their centrality to the capitalist dangerous con- and information on occupational hazards, but and oil worker activists continue to demand it. many working people feel about the future il workers embody the contradictions of tracted, the process of extraction and refining striking to establish a world monopoly of oil. economy, oil workers have been the target of ditions in the also built bridges between the labour and en- As oil sands worker Ken Smith said at the Paris has created polarization to the left and to the capitalism. Their labour extracts from is largely immobile. Fossil fuel extraction rep- On account of oil, blood is being shed. On ac- counter-revolutionary regimes and imperial- workplace. He vironmental movements. Neoliberalism worked climate conference in 2015, “We hope we’re right around the world. They are fed up with the earth fossil fuels that are the life- resents some of the largest industrial projects, count of oil, a struggle is being waged, in which ist wars—from Stalin in Russia and Ayatollah also spoke at to bomb those bridges, attacking union rights seeing the end of fossil fuels for the good of the world that is and are looking for some- Oblood of the system—generating mas- requiring the longest term and most intensive the American bankers and the American capi- Khomeini in Iran, to US intervention in Iraq and the first Earth and blaming layoffs on environmental regula- everybody. But how are we going to provide for thing different. Unfortunately, some fall to sive profits for oil companies and power for the investment of fixed capital of any sector. The talists attempt everywhere to conquer the places Libya. Day events in tion to pit workers against environmentalists. our families? We’re going to need some kind of the racism and scapegoating of groups like states that back them. tar sands is now the largest megaproject on the and enslave the peoples where oil is found… In As the president of the Iraqi Federation of 1970. As Mazzocchi lamented, “Corporate America transition.” the National Front in France and the UK But this work exacts a health toll from work- Oil Unions explained in 2008, “Five years of Whereas ear- has painted everyone into a classic dilemma. The climate justice movement is increasingly Independence Party (UKIP). ers and surrounding communities, and con- invasion, war and occupation have brought lier lobbying Now it’s jobs versus the environment. The raising these demands. As the Leap Manifesto In Toronto, the labour, anti-racist and taminates the environment. When oil workers The fossil fuel economy emerged because nothing but death, destruction, misery and suf- failed to win worker has a choice between his livelihood and states, “we want training and other resources women’s movements have organized against have moved into action to challenge these con- fering to our people… Our union offices have health and safe- dying of cancer.” for workers in carbon-intensive jobs, ensuring this. International Women’s Day drew tradictions, they have helped topple regimes, capitalists wanted a mobile source of been raided. Union property has been seized ty regulation But the alliance is reforming. In 2015 Shell they are fully able to take part in the clean en- 11,000 out in freezing temperature, march- win health and environmental regulations, and and destroyed. Our bank accounts have been from Demo- Tony Mazzocchi workers went on strike again, and received sup- ergy economy. This transition should involve ing to the theme “Stop the Hate – Build the imagine a world beyond capitalism and oil. power disconnected from the earth and a frozen. Our leaders have been beaten, arrested, crats, worker port from Friends of the Earth, Sierra Club and the democratic participation of workers them- Resistance”. The Toronto and York Region abducted and assassinated. Our rights as work- mobilization succeeded in extracting reforms 350.org. selves. High-speed rail powered by renewables Labour Council, along with the Urban Capitalism and oil ers are routinely violated. This is an attack on from Republicans. Mazzocchi explained the As Labor Network for Sustainability ex- and affordable public transit can unite every Alliance on Race Relations, filled City Hall Two hundred years ago, the economy was more exploitable pool of human labour. our rights and the basic precepts of a democratic lesson, which is important for today: ‘’What’s plained in it, “Oil refinery workers are in community in this country—in place of more on March 21st under the theme “Stop The based on water power, but Britain’s industrial society.” incredible was the guy who was president then the front line of protecting our communities cars, pipelines and exploding trains that endan- Hate”. Many trade unionists attended and revolution changed it to coal-powered steam. planet, and capitalists must operate projects for Baku there are no more capitalists, and this oil In the Egyptian revolution, it was strikes by was Richard Nixon, which shows that when against the environmental hazards of the oil ger and divide us.” pledged to build a movement to resist bigot- As Andrea Malm explains in Fossil Capital: the decades to get a return on investment. no longer belongs to the capitalists. If this can workers at Suez—threatening the major artery you build a big movement from down below, industry. Their skill and experience is critical The recent CLC convention built momentum ry and Islamophobia. Rise Of Steam Power And The Roots Of Global While capitalists often use the threat of mo- be done in Baku, in Russia, why cannot such a of the oil economy—that finally drove Mubarak regardless of who’s in the White House, you can for preventing devastating explosions, spills, for Workers for the Leap, for unionized workers During Ramadan, the labour council Warming, “The transition from water to steam bility to extract concessions from workers, oil social order be achieved in America and around from power, and NATO intervened in the Lib- bring about change.’’ and releases… organized labor must recog- to push for just transition. joined the National Council of Canadian in the British cotton industry did not occur be- extraction is rooted where the oil is located and the world?” yan revolution when oil workers began taking OCAW not only changed the law but trans- nize its shared interest with those vying for Uniting the democratic aspirations of oil Muslims (NCCM) in sponsoring an Iftar cause water was scarce, more expensive or less dependent on oil workers. This gives oil work- The Russian Revolution was part of a global control of the oil fields. formed people’s understanding of the environ- a healthier planet. As we work to protect the workers for a safe job and clean environment (where the fast is broken) once more filling technologically potent – to the contrary, steam ers incredible potential power to shut down wave of revolt: in 1917 American oil workers ment. As Mazzocchi’s biographer explained, earth from climate change, it is particular- with the broader labour and climate justice City Hall chambers to capacity. The food gained supremacy in spite of water being abun- the key resource of the capitalist economy and went on strike to unionize, while the Mexican Health, safety and environment “Before Mazzocchi, pollution was viewed ly important that we advocate for the needs movements is part of building towards a mass was donated by the Society of Professional dant, cheaper and at least as powerful, even strike a blow at state power. Throughout histo- revolution (including striking oil workers) rat- As well as being part of anti-capitalist rebel- largely as a problem of dumping and emissions, of workers in fossil fuel industries whose transition in society, beyond the oil-dependent Engineers, a union that has initiated a major and efficient.” ry, oil workers around the world have played ified their constitution including a clause on lions, oil workers have also been central to oc- of where the bad stuff ended up—in the air, the well-being must not be sacrificed to the ne- capitalist system. program among its members to counter As a writer explained in 1833, “the invention a key role in anti-capitalist and anti-colonial nationalizing natural resources. cupational health and safety reforms—learning water, the soil, in our food. Mazzocchi’s con- Islamophobia in the workplace and the of the steam-engine has relieved us from the rebellions. Oil workers were also part of strikes against from and contributing to the environmental ceptual breakthrough was that pollution always broader community. necessity of building factories in inconvenient Western control of oil in Iran the late 1940s— movement. starts in the workplace, and then moves into A Rapid Response Team of trade union- situation merely for the sake of a waterfall. It Anti-capitalism, anti-colonialism which encouraged the community and the natural environment. ists has also been organized to counter the has allowed them to be placed in the centre of a As Rosa Luxemburg observed in The Mass Mossadegh to Workplace pollution, therefore, was the source presence of the far right on our streets. The population trained to industrious habits.” Strike, the political revolution in Russia in nationalize the of environmental degradation, and only strict bigots have been harassing people going In other words, the fossil fuel economy 1905 against the Tsar had its roots in “the great industry in 1951. workplace controls on pollutants and toxic into mosques, and trying to hold rallies and emerged—first with coal and then with oil— thunderstorms of mass strikes in South Russia The US organized substances could adequately protect us from marches at city hall square. A labour pres- because capitalists wanted a mobile source of in 1902 and 1903.” This included a mass strike a military coup hazards.” ence has been very important in showing power disconnected from the earth and a more by oil workers in Baku, which who won the and imposed a As Mazzocchi summarized, “You can’t be support for the Muslim community. exploitable pool of human labour. eight-hour day in December 1904—a month brutal dictator- concerned about the general environment un- Unions have also been asked to endorse a Capitalism’s privatization of the commons, before the 1905 revolution erupted. This was a ship. But in 1978, less you’re concerned about the industrial en- Charter for Inclusive Communities – devel- driving people off the land and into cities to dress rehearsal for the great revolution of 1917, oil workers went vironment, because the two are inseparable.” In oped by the NCCM as a tool to discuss the produce commodities, was intertwined with its which also included oil workers in Baku. on strike for both 1973 OCAW workers went on strike to protect issue of Islamophobia – and many unions shift to a form of power that could be extracted At the centre of Muslim-majority Azerbaijan, economic and po- this shared environment. Amidst the speedups have signed on. and privatized from the earth. an oppressed nation with the Russian empire, litical demands— to fuel the Vietnam War, and cutbacks in main- This is not the time to be silent. People Economic competition between capitalists, Baku was the site of a major conference in 1920 including against tenance, thousands of Shell workers went on of good will must stand up and be counted. each dependent on private fossil fuels, also be- linking worker struggles and national liberation the secret police, strike for their health and safety. They demand- The broader the resistance, the stronger the came intertwined with geopolitical competition movements. and against oil ed independent inspections, a health and safety movement for a better world with dignity between states. This has produced a constant As the American socialist report John Reed shipments to Is- Mass pressure pushed Mossadegh to nationalize oil in 1951. committee, information on chemicals and ill- Climate justice activists join refinery workers picket line in California, 2015. and respect for all. stream of wars for oil, fueled by oil. said at the conference, “Do you know how rael. These were nesses and free medical examinations.

4 Socialist Worker July 2017 July 2017 Socialist Worker 5 Where we stand Capitalism and wages The dead-end of capitalism The capitalist system is based on violence, oppression and brutal exploitation. It creates hunger beside plenty, it threatens our sustenance by Faline Bobier through unsafe and unsustainable farming, and kills the earth itself with pollution and unsustainable extraction of oil, minerals, animals, trees, Value, Price and Profit was a speech and water. Capitalism leads to imperialism and war. Saving ourselves given to the First International Working and the planet depends on finding an alternative. Men’s Association in June 1865 by Karl Marx. It was written between the end A system that is killing the planet of May and June 27 in 1865, and was Capitalist profits depend on extracting the world’s blood and bone. The published in 1898. devastating impact of capital’s assault on the planet affect the world’s most Marx was polemicizing against the vulnerable populations and threaten the long-term meaningful existence viewpoint of John Weston that “(1) that of humanity. Capitalism cannot regulate the catastrophic effects of climate a general rise in the rate of wages would change. We stand for climate justice, including the concept of “just be of no use to the workers; (2) that transition” for affected workers. therefore, etc., the trade unions have a harmful effect”. Socialism and workers’ power One of the arguments was that in- Any alternative to capitalism must involve replacing the system from the creasing workers’ wages would only bottom up through radical collective action. Central to that struggle is the result in an increase in prices and there- workplace, where capitalism reaps its profits off our backs. fore make any wage gains ineffective. Capitalist monopolies control the earth’s resources, but workers The other argument was that an in- everywhere actually create the wealth. A new socialist society can only crease in wages across the board would be constructed when workers collectively seize control of that wealth decrease the profits of the capitalists and plan its production and distribution to satisfy human needs, not and lead to all sorts of catastrophe. corporate profits—to respect the environment, not pollute and destroy it. Marx talks about the introduction of the Ten Hours Bill in England in 1848: Oppression “all the […] official economical mouth- Within capitalist society different groups suffer from specific forms of pieces of the middle class, proved […] oppression. Attacks on oppressed groups are used to divide workers that it would sound the death-knell of mum wage campaign and argue that it wage and for union rights: and weaken solidarity. We oppose racism and imperialism. We oppose English industry. […] Well, what was will mean rising prices for commodities “I’m a man who came home after all immigration controls. We support the right of people of colour and the result? A rise in the money wages and services, businesses shutting down serving in Fallujah and Ramadi and I other oppressed groups to organize in their own defence. We are for real, of the factory operatives, despite the and workers losing their jobs, what they can’t even put food on the table for my social, economic and political equality for women. We are for an end curtailing of the working day, a great are essentially arguing is that workers family…I don’t want my son to look at to all forms of discrimination and homophobia against lesbians, gays, increase in the number of factory hands should agree to sustain an economy me like I’m something less because I bisexuals and transgender people. employed, a continuous fall in the based on their impoverishment. have to work for $7.25 when I bust my We oppose environmental racism. We oppose discrimination on the prices of their products, a marvellous Marx’s key argument was that, butt every day and I take pride in what I basis of religion, ability and age. development in the productive powers while a general increase in pay levels do. We have a voice and we want it to be of their labour, an unheard-of progres- wouldn’t necessarily affect the prices of heard. We want $15; we deserve $15.” Canada, Quebec, Indigenous Peoples sive expansion of the markets for their goods and commodities, it might affect Struggles in the public sector are for Canada is not a “colony” of the United States, but an imperialist country commodities.” profit rates. similar aims. When governments argue in its own right that participates in the exploitation of much of the world. Marx locates the source of all prof- But in this struggle between work- that the money isn’t there for public The Canadian state was founded through the repression of Indigenous it in the surplus value extracted from ers and bosses Marx locates a duty for sector workers, what they really mean peoples and the people of Quebec. workers by capital. Under capitalism, working people to defend themselves is that they intend to keep public spend- We support the struggles for self-determination of Quebec and he argues, it can seem like ‘a fair day’s against the encroachments of capital ing low, to permit continued spending Indigenous peoples up to and including the right to independence. In wage for a fair day’s work’. Nothing that prevent them from living truly on the military and wars, and to allow particular, we recognize Indigenous peoples’ original and primary right could be further from the truth. human lives. the continuation of a benign tax regime to decide their fate and that of their lands, heritage, and traditions. As a worker, you spend some portion When workers struggle for higher for corporations and the rich. Socialists in Quebec, and in all oppressed nations, work to give the of every day working to replenish your- wages or against wage cuts, according Marx finished his speech with these struggle against national oppression an internationalist and working self (and your family) – making enough to Marx, they are fighting to “set limits final important points: class content. money to cover what Marx calls the to the tyrannical usurpations of cap- “Firstly. A general rise in the rate of ‘necessaries’ of life: housing, clothes, ital… A man who has no free time to wages would result in a fall of the gen- Internationalism food, etc. dispose of, whose whole lifetime…is eral rate of profit, but, broadly speaking, The struggle for socialism is part of a worldwide struggle. We campaign for If it takes, say, the first half of the day absorbed by his labour for the capital- not affect the prices of commodities. solidarity with workers in other countries. We oppose everything that turns to make enough wages to cover those ist, is less than a beast of burden. Yet “Secondly. The general tendency of workers from one country against those from other countries. We support all necessities, the rest of your work day is the whole history of modern industry capitalist production is not to raise, but genuine national liberation movements. essentially spent making profit for your shows that capital, if not checked, will to sink the average standard of wages. The 1917 revolution in Russia was an inspiration for the oppressed boss. As Marx puts it, the worker is es- recklessly and ruthlessly work to cast “Thirdly. Trades Unions work well everywhere. But it was defeated when workers’ revolutions elsewhere sentially working for nothing for a part down the whole working class to this as centers of resistance against the en- were defeated. A Stalinist counter-revolution, which killed millions, of the working day: utmost state of degradation.” croachments of capital. They fail par- created a new form of capitalist exploitation based on state ownership “Although one part only of the This still rings true today when you tially from an injudicious use of their and control. In Eastern Europe, China and other countries, a similar workman’s daily labour is paid, while hear the testimony of workers – women, power. They fail generally from limiting system was later established by Stalinist, not socialist, parties. We the other part is unpaid, and while that men, Black, Hispanic – who are strug- themselves to a guerilla war against the support the struggle of workers in these countries against both private unpaid or surplus labour constitutes gling in the Fight for 15, against some effects of the existing system, instead of and state capitalism. exactly the fund out of which surplus of the wealthiest mega-corporations in simultaneously trying to change it, in- value or profit is formed, it seems as if the world. Here is Derrell Odom, Iraq stead of using their organized forces as Elections and democracy the aggregate labour was paid labour.” war veteran and KFC worker, currently a lever for the final emancipation of the Elections can be an opportunity to give voice to the struggle for social When bosses and pundits bemoan earning $7.25 an hour, when he spoke working class that is to say the ultimate change. But under capitalism, they can’t change the system. The the success of the $15 an hour mini- in Atlanta for the $15 an hour minimum abolition of the wages system.” structures of the present parliament, army, police and judiciary protect the ruling class against the workers. These structures cannot be simply taken over and used by the working class. The working class needs Name: real democracy, and that requires an entirely different kind of state—a Never miss workers’ state based upon councils of workers’ delegates. an issue. Address: Reform and revolution Mail in this form with a cheque Phone: Every day, there are battles between exploiter and exploited, oppressor or money order made payable to and oppressed, to reform the system—to improve living conditions. “Socialist Worker”. E-mail: These struggles are crucial in the fight for a new world. To further these Prices per year (CAD dollars): struggles, we work within the trade unions and orient to building a rank Regular subscription: $30 Mail to: Socialist Worker, PO Box 339 and file movement that strengthens workers’ unity and solidarity. Institutions, First Class But the fight for reforms will not, in itself, bring about fundamental Station E, Toronto, ON Canada, M6H 4E3 delivery and U.S.: $50 Phone: 416.972.6391 / E-mail: [email protected] social change. The present system cannot be fixed or reformed as the Other international: $60 NDP and many trade union leaders say. Nor can the system regulate itself to prevent environmental destruction and climate injustice. It has to be overthrown. That will require the mass action of workers themselves. Join the International Socialists The revolutionary party To achieve socialism the leading activists in the working class have to be Name: City: organized into a revolutionary socialist party. The party must be a party of action, and it must be democratic. We are an organization of activists Address: committed to helping in the construction of such a party through ongoing activity in the mass organizations of the working class and in the daily E-mail: Phone: struggles of workers and the oppressed. If these ideas make sense to you, help us in this project, and join the Mail to: International Socialists, PO Box 339, Station E, Toronto, ON Canada, M6H 4E3 International Socialists. Phone: 416.972.6391 / E-mail: [email protected]

6 Socialist Worker July 2017 Bound for REVIEWS glory: Meet Andrew The anti-Trump guide by Jesse McLaren key to understanding the rise of racism: “The liberalism has been broken…the left wing al- Scheer only way to justify such untenable levels of in- most-wins of the past two years are not defeats. Who better than Naomi Klein to write a book equality is to double down on theories of racial They are the first tremors of a profound ideo- about the rise of Donald Trump and how to re- hierarchy.” logical realignment.” by John Bell sist? Klein makes it clear that Trump’s win is Her book No Logo: Rise of the Brand Bul- because of the failure of the Democrats–from Brands, neoliberalism or Canadians are often so transfixed by interna- lies was a guide for the anti-globalization Obama launching drones strikes and deporta- capitalism? tional news that domestic stories go unnoticed. movement 17 years ago. The Shock Doctrine: tions to Clinton refusing the support the fight By articulating the movements, Klein’s books As astounding/horrifying as is the unfolding the Rise of Disaster Capitalism expressed the for $15: “Clinton mocked her opponent’s also reflect debates within them—which she Trump saga, as entertaining as is watching radicalization against neoliberal catastrophes ‘Trumped-up trickle down economics’, but her combines in No is Not Enough. No Logo fo- the meltdown of Teresa May’s Tories and the unleashed from New Orleans to Baghdad a own philosophy is what we might call ‘trick- cused on corporate branding that rose in the rebirth of the British left inspired by Jeremy decade ago. This Changes Everything: Cap- le-down identity politics’: tweak the system 1990s, and spoke to the tactic of “culture jam- Corbyn–our domestic political machinations italism vs the Climate articulated the climate just enough to change the genders, colours, and ming”—which might expose one company but take a back seat to no one. justice movement a few years ago, and her sexual orientation of some of the people at the does little to address the underlying economic Pop quiz: how many of you can name role in the Leap Manifesto continues to system. Disaster Capitalism looked fur- the new leader of the Conservative Party of encourage organizing. Her insights, re- ther back to the rise of neoliberalism in Canada? MP Andrew Scheer was hardly a flecting and building resistance move- the 1970s, which was not just based on household name, a deliberate choice to avoid ments over more than a decade and a brand bullies but state violence—though the lingering stink of having been in Stephen half, help to explain the rise of Trump the conclusion was to break with the ide- Harper’s inner circle. Not knowing who the and how to resist. ology of “fundamentalist” capitalism and hell he was didn’t stop 37 per cent of respon- return to a supposedly rational Keynes- dents to an Angus Reid poll from saying he Brand bully and disaster ianism. With This Changes Everything, would make the best prime minister to handle capitalist Klein connected the current climate cri- financial matters. As she explains, Trump is the “pro- sis with centuries of colonization and The first thing to know about Scheer is that to-disaster capitalist” who “seized on capitalism, and called for massive social he has always been a Harper loyalist. Unlike New York’s economic catastrophe to transformation. Maxime Bernier, Lisa Raitt, and Kelley Leitch boost his own fortune”. He has become Her latest book goes further than No who were among the throng that sought party “the personification of the merger of Logo, with only a short section on how to leadership, Scheer was never a cabinet minis- humans and corporations—a one-man “Jam the Trump brand.” The target is not ter. But there was more than one way to serve megabrand.” Trump but the system he represents. But the Boss. In the context of Black Lives Mat- echoing The Shock Doctrine, Klein sees First elected in 2004, Scheer joined other ter, protests against rape culture and Trump representing “the current neolib- with-wing back benchers, learning to keep growing movements for Indigenous eral system” which emerged during the their more extreme ideas under wraps, until sovereignty and climate justice, Trump “neoliberal revolution” of the 1970s rath- given permission by the Boss to trot them out. represents a “ferocious backlash against er than the much deeper capitalist system. Scheer took to heart Harper’s mantra: Canadi- the rising power of overlapping social This leads to a criticism of the Democrats ans will never give us a majority if they know and political movements demanding a for “putting up establishment candidates” what we really think. more just and safer world.” His election and betraying their supposed roots as the While Scheer smiled and toed the line laid was “like a Bat-Signal for hatemongers “traditional party of workers and unions” down by Harper, in some ways he has more of all kinds.” rather than being the twin party of US in common with Jason Kenney. Like Kenney, As Klein warns, we need some capitalism. Because the root cause is not Scheer is guided by a very right-wing variety “disaster preparedness” to resist the capitalism but neoliberalism, the model of Catholicism. He has consistently opposed shocks that could come: a terror at- for change is the New Deal when move- abortion rights. He is against same-sex mar- tack could be used to further target ments pushed Democrat reform. riage and was part of the move to “redefine” oppressed communities and round This leads to problems explaining the marriage as a union between a man and a up organizers, financial deregulation way forward. On the one hand, the inspi- woman. He gets top marks from Campaign could spell more economic disasters ration of current movements like Black Life Coalition. and a two-tiered disaster response will Lives Matter and Standing Rock are In 2004 Scheer hosted an Ottawa luncheon protect the rich from the climate crisis. But as top, and wait for the justice to trickle down to counterposed to past movements—criticizing meeting with guest Vicar Msgr. Fred Dolan, she explains, “Trump is not a rupture at all, but everyone else.” the anti-war movement for being single issue, of Opus Dei. For the uninitiated, Opus Dei rather…the logical culmination of the current or the Quebec student strike for not stopping is to the Catholic Church as the Taliban is to neoliberal system.” ‘Utopia: back by popular demand’ neoliberalism. On the other hand, there are Islam. Breaking out the dimples, he used the As Klein emphasizes, the very failures of neo- hopes for a future left alternative in power time-tested tactic to avoid criticism: bait and Trump’s strength = liberal liberalism that have generated the right-wing without assessing the previous results (e.g. switch. Specific (and justified) exposure of weakness response to Trump can also produce a left-wing Syriza in Greece). Opus Dei is portrayed as a misguided attack Trump’s victory has been explained by com- response. As proof of this is the wildly popular These broader debates aside, No is Not on all Catholicism. “The last time it was a peting narratives, either that he captured a campaign of Bernie Sanders, who was defeated Enough is a must-read intervention into daily crime to be a Catholic was in 1827 in Nova disgruntled vote longing for change, or that he not by Trump but by the Clinton campaign and debates about Trump and how to resist. Its cen- Scotia when they repealed the penal laws,” he represented a bigoted backlash against social liberals who would rather put their faith in the tral message combines both warning and hope, said. “It is a shame that some people are trying change. As Klein explains, his election rep- philanthrocapitalists than fight austerity. expresses the polarization of politics and calls again to make members of certain faith groups resents both: “white men are losing economic The desire for change has not gone away. for radical alternatives: “Those who are seen disqualified from public life.” security (which everyone has a right to), and Despite Trump’s backlash, his presidency has as representing the failed neoliberal status quo You might think that this champion of their sense of a superior status (which they nev- been marked by massive protests. Klein raises are no match for demagogues and neo-fascists. religious freedom would have been vocal in er had a right to) at the same time. In the rush the horizons for the wide audience that exists Only a bold and genuinely redistributive pro- defence of Muslim Canadians, but, oddly, such to condemn the latter form of entitlement, we to keep building this mass resistance. gressive agenda can offer real answers…Rad- seems not to be the case. shouldn’t lose sight of something important: This is the context for left electoral alter- ical political and economic change is our only Successfully camouflaging his right-wing not all forms of entitlement are illegitimate”. natives like Sanders in the US or Mélenchon hope of avoiding radical change to our physical ideology behind boyish looks, dimples that Identifying these legitimate entitlements is in France. As she explains, “the spell of neo- world.” appear to be surgically enhanced and an “aw shucks” demeanor, Scheer was elected Speaker of the House, the referee of parliamentary Brad Trost did. Gone was evidence of connections between you want about the Boss, he was the “alpha debate. Thanks to Harper’s majority, Scheer What he did was gather the endorsements his campaign and Ezra Levant’s far-right Rebel male”: he was a canny strategist and ruthless- didn’t have to preside over any obviously of more members of Harper’s caucus than any Media – his campaign manager is on Levant’s ly controlled his wolf pack. By comparison, partisan manoeuvers. So when Harper went other candidate. He went to the church base- board of directors. Scheer seems to be leading according to a down to defeat, Scheer had managed to earn a ments and Legion halls and promised the Tory And in the end, according to Bernier’s template: smile and flash the dimples, avoid reputation with his peers as a consistent social faithful to wrap Harper’s politics in a fresh, supporters, Scheer may have had to cheat to being pinned down on the hateful beliefs that conservative and a loyal party player, while dimpled wrapper. win. After the dust had settled, almost 7500 simmer beneath the surface, satisfy the Reform avoiding being too closely linked to Harper It took 13 rounds of voting for Scheer to votes were unaccounted for, when the gap be- Party base with a wink and a nod. Will the among an electorate that had grown tired the beat his rival, Maxime Bernier, by a wafer tween Scheer and Bernier was just over 1000. back benchers keep their bigotry under wraps Boss’s right-wing policies. thin margin. Literally within minutes of his How’s about a recount? Well, a Tory Party as they did for Harper? When Scheer entered the race for Tory victory, his campaign website was wiped clean director named Dustin van Vugt ordered all Andrew Scheer may think he’s bound for leadership he didn’t have the brand recognition and replaced with a happy photo and a “Thank ballots destroyed the moment the results were Tory glory, but I don’t think it will sell. Will of blow-hard reality TV star Kevin O’Leary. you”. Policy statements on issues from abor- announced. Kellie Leitch stop whipping up Islamophobia? He didn’t go headline hunting with the tion rights, opposition to M-103, support for But fear not, no one would ever suggest Will Brad Trost stop screaming “What about dog-whistle racism of Kellie Leitch, although privatize education and homeschooling, and Tories would stoop to dirty tricks to win an the children?” It ain’t gonna happen. I think he did join her voting against Bill M-103. He defending racism, sexism and homophobia on election. the Tories are going to discover that replacing didn’t hoist himself on the cross by putting his university campuses as a “free speech” issue. Make no mistake, Scheer has none of the Harper will be a lot harder than finding a new anti-abortion, homophobic ideas first, the way (Press Progress, June 2, 2017) ideological fire that drove Harper. Say what poster boy.

July 2017 Socialist Worker 7 9 4

7 7 2 0 0 6 8 6 2 9 6 7 0 $2 | No 594 | July 2017 | socialist.ca BC ELECTION Liberals ousted – pressure the NDP by Bradley Hughes speech to the people of the province.” After the debate on the throne It’s been a long wait, but 51 days after speech, a motion amended to include the BC election, the NDP is in and the non-confidence in the government Liberals are out. was passed. Our recent premier was Former Premier Christy Clark tried forced to go the Lieutenant Governor. everything she could do to hang on Their meeting was not public, but to power after winning the most seats afterwards NDP leader John Horgan in the election, but still less than the was asked to form government. combination of the NDP’s 41 and the The NDP has promised many good Greens’ 3 seats. things: $15/hour minimum wage, Outgoing Premier Clark ignored $10/day childcare, an end to the the agreement signed by the NDP and Kinder Morgan oil pipeline, more the Greens, appointed a cabinet and money for transit, money to create opened the legislature with a speech affordable housing, and adoption of from the Throne. In an astonishing the UN Declaration on the Rights of death bed conversion, BC’s penulti- Indigenous Peoples, the Truth and mate Premier promised to fund the Reconciliation Commission calls-to- lower mainland Mayor’s Transporta- action and the Tsilhqot’in Supreme tion Plan, dropping her requirement Court decision. for a referendum, on top of this add- But their support for Indigenous ing vast increases in light rail across rights is partially undermined by their Vancouver Island, up north to Squa- refusal to halt construction of the Site mish and east out to Chilliwack. C dam on the lands of the Treaty 8 Onetime Premier Clark also First Nations. Instead, they promise NDP government must be pushed to keep promises and to improve on them, like stopping Site C dam. promised $1 billion for childcare, re- to continue construction of the Site C moving MSP premiums, banning cor- dam while it is sent to the BC Utilities This is completely unnecessary. However, there will be tremen- in the past, the Greens will often side porate and union donations to parties, Commission. There is a real risk that The reasons for raising the mini- dous pressure on the NDP to back with the Liberals. to increase social assistance rates by the BC Utilities Commission could mum wage to $15/hr immediately down from their election promises The only way to make sure that $100 a month and on and on. conclude that construction has pro- are well understood and the path- from the business community and the NDP promises are implemented This was summed up by Liberal ceeded so far that it is too expensive way is obvious: introduce legisla- their media outlets. And we know and improved on is to organize in MLA, Laurie Throness speaking to halt. tion. Establishing a commission can from our experience in BC in the our workplaces, our schools and our in the legislature on the final day One of the conditions of the agree- only be a tactic to delay the needed 90’s the NDP will succumb to this communities. We need to demand of the BC government: The throne ment with the Greens was that instead increase. Every month of delay in pressure, with wage freezes, funding an immediate increase to a $15/hour speech “borrowed about 30 elements of raising the minimum wage to $15/ raising the minimum wage to $15 freezes and so on. minimum wage, an immediate halt to from the platforms of the other two hour, they will “Immediately estab- will cost the poorest workers in BC Despite our last Premier’s sud- construction on the Site C Dam, and parties.” lish an at-arm’s-length Fair Wages $600. den conversion to some progressive an immediate start on construction of Our previous Premier concluded Commission that will be tasked with The victory of the NDP is reason to politics, the Liberals’ role from here affordable housing. her defence of her throne speech by establishing a pathway to a minimum celebrate, and the chance to say good on out will be boisterous opposition Oh, and to our recent Premier: saying, “If this results in an election, wage of at least $15 per hour and bye to our old Premier hasn’t come a to anything that benefits workers or Don’t let the door hit you in the ass then we will put forward our throne overseeing regular rate reviews.” minute too soon. the environment. As they have done on the way out. Fight employers’ attack on $15 minimum wage by Kevin Brice employer meltdown but a concerted a person “flipping burgers” doesn’t or retrenching minor perks some capitalism and if we want to cement effort to shape public opinion against deserve the same wage as them, or workers in Ontario have. our current victory beyond the next Within 24 hours of the historic break- these gains in order to determine that it isn’t fair because they will The Fight for $15 wasn’t won Ontario election and expand it to through by the Fight for $15 & Fair- who’s going to pay for them. receive no increase. because we had limitless access to include what we didn’t win, or go ness campaign, where Kathleen Wyn- Should poverty wages subsidize This is a defensive reaction the media or an army of lawyers. even further, as the victorious strikes ne’s Liberal government conceded record high profits? Should the which comes from a profound We won because of the rank-and- at York and U of T showed, then we the largest single increase to the min- province cover the tab? sense of alienation arising from the file network of community activists, must maintain our momentum. imum wage in Canadian history, the The Liberals have been pushed powerlessness and abuses all workers labour militants, socialists, and faith Within 6 months, 1.7 million employer’s offensive intensified. into legislating reforms they have no experience under capitalism. Under groups which took this fight to nearly workers will feel a 33% wage Immediately, the Toronto Sun ability to defend and there is a real capitalism, workers are forced into every corner of the province in the increase and they need the lamented on their front page that the chance much of our hard fought gains competition with one another which forms of street canvassing, strikes, confidence, unity, and organization “New minimum wage effectively could be at risk. obscures their common interests and and demonstrations. to see this fight through. After all, unionizes Ontario”. Conservative Perhaps one of the greatest ironies keeps them divided. While we can’t match the bosses should the Conservatives win the politicians who weren’t confident is we are told by the big business In our case, employers create in terms of media reach, we can still upcoming election the self-activity enough to challenge the passing lobby that we should oppose the divisions to justify whatever reprisals challenge those spaces. Letters to the of these workers in defense of their of Bill 148 began to preach on the increase because it isn’t fair. they have in mind to make up the lost editor, street canvassing, and most interests will be the greatest bulwark imminent small business extinction, Many of the anti-FF15 initiatives profit--whether it’s cancelling paid importantly equipping workers with in fighting back. and the media began a full offensive across North America have targeted lunch breaks, which are not protected the knowledge to have confidence to • Join the movement – visit: against the gains of the movement. workers who already earn $15/hour by law, working fewer workers resist this offensive. http://15andfairness.org/take-ac- What’s taking place isn’t just an or slightly above who may feel that harder by cutting back on staff, No reforms are permanent under tion/