Operation Solidarity: What Can the BC Labour Movement Learn Today

The BCGEU and PEA are out on strike, other public sector unions are in the bargaining process, and we are seeing unprecedented labour movement action in BC and Canada. The federal Liberal government has demonstrated just how ready it is to trample over workers rights by ordering Air Canada's flight attendants and Canada Post back to work, and we've seen mounting austerity in provincial governments from BC, to Alberta, to Ontario.
In 1983, unprecedented attacks on public goods, the ability of labour to organize and act, and on increasingly marginalized working people (renters, immigrants, those with disabilities, etc) brought about the largest coalition of labour and social movements BC had ever seen: Operation Solidarity. Tens of thousands of people organized against the austerity of the reactionary Social Credit government culminating in massive strike action. In the end, while the government backed down in its attacks on collective bargaining and negotiated contracts for the public sector, much of the destruction of public services and rights was already done and would remain so, including under later NDP governments. Thousands of activated working people felt betrayed by the coalition's leaders.
Today we face the same austerity. A full assault on working people is underway around the world and Canada, British Columbia, are no exception. What can the labour movement of BC learn from the victories, and failures, of Operation Solidarity?
Join us Friday, October 17th, 7PM at Unit 103 - 1483 Douglas Street for a screening of "Common Cause: The Story of the Operation Solidarity Coalition" followed by a panel discussion. Together, working people can learn the lessons that Operation Solidarity has to teach us, and plan our fight back for a better world.
Parking is available close by at the Johnson St. and Yates St. parkades, as well as street parking. The venue is located on several bus routes downtown.
We regret that the venue's restroom is not wheelchair accessible. There are 24 hour public restrooms available one block away in Centenial Square.

Host or Publisher Ryan Broe