Regional councils commit to defeat Harper

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Regional councils in Ontario and British Columbia concluded this weekend with impassioned members committing to build on the momentum Unifor created in its first year and to make the defeat of the Harper Conservatives a priority.

“Our first year was about building this union,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “And now we are about to go into the fight of our lives during the next federal election.”

“The Stephen Harper Tories have betrayed seniors, working class people, young people, women – all of us,” said Dias. “The Tories are a disgrace.”

For delegates in Ontario, Michael Harris, author of Party of One, a damning critique of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, detailed the ways in which Harper’s attacks on veterans, union members and anyone who cares about the truth will result in the creation of the coalition that will ultimately defeat him.

With so much at stake, Unifor is ready for the battle ahead, stressed Dias. At both regional councils, presentations were made about key elements of Unifor’s plans related to the upcoming federal election.

Unifor will be not only be participating in the Political Action Conferences held by the Canadian Labour Congress, but also holding its own election training workshops across the country and establishing regional working groups to guide regional efforts.

“Our campaign will be one fought strategically, by engaging with our members and neighbours on the ground and by offering ideas that connect with people emotionally,” said Roland Kiehne, Director of Unifor’s Political Action and Mobilization. “We know, in their hearts, people in this country are compassionate, decent people and want a government that will create jobs and build strong, inclusive communities.”

In Vancouver, outgoing BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair said the labour movement represents the interests of the majority of Canadians, and needs to mobilize to defeat Harper.

“We are the majority, and we need to act like we are the majority,” Sinclair told BC Regional Council delegates.

 Harper can be defeated, Dias said.

“We are going to fight,” said Dias. “If we do to Harper what we did to Hudak we won’t have to worry about attacks on working people for years to come.”

“And, with the might and determination of our members, we will succeed. Our time is now,” said Dias to members in both provinces.