Editor: I write in response to (The Times, Nov. 22), regarding Michelle Laurie. Unfortunately, he has missed the point of Laurie鈥檚 campaign message, which can be easily found on her campaign website,
Her vision for change at the B.C. Federation of Labour is rooted in the grassroots of our movement, and is focused on achieving real, practical results for union members. Only by being smart and strategic in our campaigns will labour be able to achieve the change we desire, for union and non-union members alike.
I know Laurie very well. For the record, she was and is a supporter of the BC Fed鈥檚 campaign to raise the minimum wage, as well as many other campaigns that don鈥檛 directly benefit union members. But she also believes that the Federation can and should do more work on the issues that union members face every day in communities all over the province.
After all, the growth of the middle class in post-war North America was in many ways due to the work of trade unions. The growing squeeze on the middle class has happened at the same time as regressive government policies have reduced union membership throughout North America. While we were fighting the minimum wage campaign, over 30,000 middle class jobs were lost in B.C. 鈥� jobs that provided living wages for families. Isn鈥檛 a living wage more important to a sustainable economy in our province?
If the labour movement in B.C. is to once again assume a leadership role in our society, we must first ensure our own house is in order.
Her plan to renew the Federation is intended to do just that; engage all union members in developing and advocating policies and initiatives that will benefit the many thousands of union members in B.C., while at the same time lifting up the pay and working conditions of workers who don鈥檛 belong to unions.
As a longtime union member, I鈥檓 proud to support Michelle Laurie鈥檚 campaign to renew the B.C. Federation of Labour. Hers is a new vision and direction, one that we need and one that I believe will work.
Brian Harder,
Aldergrove
