Long Shot Energizes Labour Vote

[bigdude]

Long shot energizes labour vote

She decided to challenge Georgetti in March. She was delivering the closing speech at a York University conference on equity within the labour movement. She challenged the participants — women, aboriginal activists, young delegates, people of colour — to "be innovative, courageous, take charge, do whatever it takes to ensure that the leadership and staff of unions are representative of the members."

Midway through her appeal, it occurred to her that she had to do what she was talking about.

One of the main messages Wall intends to take to next month's convention in Montreal is that organized labour must reach outside its own ranks to help workers trapped in precarious, low-wage jobs with no benefits and no bargaining power.

"That's where we should be putting our focus," Wall says. "These people are the workforce of tomorrow and we need to figure out how to organize them. If we let the floor slide for them, it lowers the floor for all workers."

She acknowledges that the CLC has passed resolutions and published policy papers on the need to support women and immigrants in low-paying occupations. But it has done precious little to support community organizations such as TOFFE (Toronto Organizing for Fair Employment) that actually help these workers, she argues.

Wall refuses to concede that the race is unwinnable, but she does admit she is a long shot. The leaders of many powerful locals say they don't know her. The executive council has already endorsed a slate headed by Georgetti.

"But even if I lose, I've still won because there's a kind of energy, a re-engagement among the membership that I haven't seen in many years," she says.

"Regardless of what happens in June, this has been a healthy, invigorating debate and I hope it continues."

She may not win but she is raising the main problem withthe union movement.

If by her campaign she is able to get this issue of low paid workers on labour's front burner Wall will have made a major contribution to Canadian society.

Go Carol Go!