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From: Jon Silbernagel ILWU 500 - Hold Board
Category: Category 1
Date: 05 Mar 2001
Time: 21:41:33
Remote Name: 134.87.141.38
In a decision received last week, the President of the ILWU Canada (Canadian Area),
has chosen to defy the membership's demand petition calling for a referendum vote. Article 14 of the ILWU Canada Constitution gives the membership the right to make a final decision as to whether or not a new election should be called. The membership's petition was based upon the fact that the advanced poll was not held as required by the constitution of Local 500 thus preventing members, eligible for the advance poll, from voting in an extremely close election. The President does not deny these facts nor does he challenge the validity or required number of signatures on the petition.
Tail Swings Dog
With this decision, the President has changed a rule, which goes to the heart of democracy. In so doing, he takes away power that rightfully belongs to the membership. Where members feel that there is reason enough to vote on a new election the President claims he knows better. How can we expect a President to reflect our wishes when dealing with our adversaries at the bargaining table and in government if he will not respect the membership wish for a referendum vote? The tail is swinging the dog - an intolerable situation.
What does [the] President's decision mean?
If this decision goes unchanged, then any future President will feel justified in denying us referendum votes. Our rightful trail to direct action will be demolished. Democracy in our Union will be permanently crippled which holds horrendous implications for all of us into the future. Let there be no misunderstanding about that.