To the Editor:

Politics makes strange bedfellows.  Where does organized labour in stand or should I say sleep when it comes to political affiliation?

Typically with the NDP, I asked the question, why does the USW need political affiliation at all?  I was quickly clued in to the answer. Unions and working people in general would be left out of equation when it comes to good legislation and government expenditures.

But why the NDP? Well that is a good question, but it is not the right question.  I believe what Unions should ask themselves is why only the NDP?

  I feel that the exclusive support given to one political party is a failed policy on behalf of organized labour.  The reality is that no single party can help working people move their issues and concerns regarding pensions, health and safety legislation, labour relations and Employment Insurance (EI) through the legislative process.  The NDP has been given somewhat of a free pass by organized labour since their inception.  It is true that the current New Democrats, speak largely to working people, not necessarily for working people. No party can or will always do what is best for the labour movement, including the NDP.

  Now don't go reading this as a bash on the New Dems', but see it rather as a failure by omission of the other respective parties.

Like it or not, most politicians will only go as far as they need to get re-elected.  We as voters and financial supporters need to make duly sure that they work for those votes. I mean actually work, not just scream semantics at each other.  Regardless of their party colours, they need to be leading the charge with sensible laws and responsible fiscal spending and social contributions.

  As a steward and avid follower of politics not a day goes by that I don't read a labour publication going on a rant or bashing of Stephen Harper, Iggy, or both federal and provincial Liberal and Conservative parties.

  And why not? What have those damn Conservatives/Liberals done for us or Sudbury?.  Well, why the hell would they?

  Quite simply, we have never offered them what the really want: Votes. It comes right down to one thing when speaking of the average politician. Votes are what all MPs and MLAs need to stay employed as such.  Like any good employee does when bargaining, they go where the money is, and you get what you pay for.  

Now you may be saying, "It will be a cold day in hell before I support the Conservatives".  I feel the same way about Liberals; I'm not suggesting that you personally vote against your conscience.  Union membership is diverse by nature, many different people with many different views on political ideology.  This should be reflected in its policy.

  It is important for unions to realize that they need to speak directly to the party and people in charge to have any real success at bringing change to what they want or even need when it comes to political action.

  Premier Greg Selinger is the man in charge in Manitoba.  Having won the recent NDP leadership race, he is the person who will ultimately determine whether or not Manitoba will get long overdue replacement worker legislation. The USW were absolutely correct in sending a delegation to the convention to lobby such. This coupled with the fact that Local 6166 has eternally provided financial support, voter support and positive press, we stand our best chance of getting this adopted.

If Hugh McFadden and the Conservatives, or Jon Gerrard and his Liberals, were running this province would we do the same?  The answer is no. 

Instead we would be left shouting from the bleachers and no matter how loud we yell they wouldn't hear us in Winnipeg let alone Ottawa.

  Our local, national and labour affiliates such as the Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL) and Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) refuse to support or even recognize any party but the NDP! 

  It would be wise to follow the advice of former U.S. president Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt "No party has exclusive patent rights on social prosperity."

  As global economies buying union-made goods shrink and taxation to the working class smothers us, it is my opinion, that it's time to crawl into bed and snuggle up with all political parties, because without any foreplay, organized labour might as well go sleep alone.  

Kevin Robinson

Thompson