Where Can Unionists Find a Good Party?
Why is it a challenge for people like Bill Tieleman to conceive of trade-union activists not being card-carrying members of the NDP? Tradition has it that union leaders are indistinguishable from decision makers of the NDP, but things have begun to change. As the NDP has swung over to the political centre, it has become easier for right-leaning NDPers to jump ship to the Liberals and, likewise, left-leaning Liberals to belch out NDP doctrine (Sheila Copps). Although I do not agree with Dave Haggard in the political sense, I recognize the ability for some trade unionists to be affiliated with political parties other than the NDP. For the past few years, the political-action committee of the B.C. Federation of Labour has been stating the need for more political diversity and new partnerships–well, here they are. As a trade unionist and Green party member who stood on the line with HEU members and marched in the May Day parade, I can tell you that the NDP is frantic over losing its tradi
