06) SOLIDARITY WITH VANCOUVER TRUCKERS

 

People's Voice Editorial

 

            The corporate sector and the BC Liberal government have some big ideas. Their economic strategy is based on investing billions of dollars into massive expansion of highways, bridges, pipelines, and tankers. Of course, none of this is to create value‑added economic growth within Canada. The aim is constant acceleration of raw materials extraction and exports, part of the decades‑long transformation of Canada into a supplier of resources for other imperialist powers, at the expense of secondary industry and jobs for Canadian workers.

 

            But the big dreams of the BC ruling class do not extend to a living wage for the workers who are critical to this expansion agenda. As we go to press, the Liberals are forcing unionized truckers back to work, and encouraging the employers to fire non-union members of the United Truckers Association who started job action in late February. This is the third major struggle by these drivers over the past decade and a half, seeking compensation for long unpaid hours while they wait to deliver goods. This time, the Liberals blatantly sabotaged negotiations by encouraging the employers to simply wait for back to work legislation.

 

            The message is clear. BC's so‑called world class economy will continue to be built on poverty‑line wages for workers who generate huge profits for the employers. If this strike is costing the economy $125 million every day, as the provincial and federal governments say, the employers can afford to pay truckers for their waiting time, and to implement standardized rates for this crucial section of the workforce.

 

            This struggle could become a turning point for the working class in British Columbia. If the truckers refuse to surrender, all‑out solidarity by the labour movement and community allies will be needed to help them beat back the government/employer attack.

 

(The above article is from the April 1-15, 2014, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)