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Author
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Topic: OFL convention - snoozefest
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PoliticalDiscord
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3854
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posted 25 November 2005 03:08 AM
I just got back from the Ontario Federation of Labour convention in Toronto. I was attending as a guest since my local is not affiliated. On Wednesday, the treasurer of my local was elected Youth VP for the Federation through her affiliation with CUPE's Ontario Division. Nevertheless, I don’t have many positive things to say about the event or the organization. The same old people who sold out the labour movement years ago by dropping the Days of Action protests were still running the show. Even more sad was the fact that there was no reform movement or even token candidate to challenge them... Sitting and watching the convention was depressing. The entire day, not a single delegate spoke at a CON microphone. Instead, a parade of labour leaders gave longwinded speeches at the PRO microphones on non-controversial resolutions... there was no debate, just one big rubber stamp.I have a hard time understanding what the OFL can offer us as workers. The OFL does offer union education, but nothing that most national and international unions can’t already provide us for free. The Federation has virtually no media presence and remains a spent political force. Some people say that the only way to change a tired organization like the OFL is to join it and work for change from within. This idealistic argument does make sense theoretically, but practically speaking, union members stand to earn very little from affiliating simply to rock the boat. Unless and until most other CUPE and CAW locals rejoin with a view to transforming the OFL, it will remain weak and ineffective. No such reform movement is afoot. If such a movement did develop, local unions may well be advised to revisit the issue, but until such time, affiliation to the OFL can be considered little more than a waste of time and a major drain on a local union's resources. www.uncorrectedproofs.blogspot.com
From: Niagara | Registered: Mar 2003
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ouroboros
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 9250
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posted 26 November 2005 02:37 PM
quote:
ome people say that the only way to change a tired organization like the OFL is to join it and work for change from within. This idealistic argument does make sense theoretically, but practically speaking, union members stand to earn very little from affiliating simply to rock the boat.
So you are just going to stand by and watch it die? The OFL affilates are primed for change, all it would take is someone to step up and take the reins of the OFL. I know the Youth VP and I hope she'll think about taking a larger leadship role in the OFL someday, sooner than later. She has a vision and I think people would buy into it. However, she'll need help doing this. And if her own local won't help, I don't hold out much hope. There isn't a "reform movement" right now, but there could by the next convention. Someone has to start it. [ 26 November 2005: Message edited by: ouroboros ]
From: Ottawa | Registered: May 2005
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