Las Vegas, NV - There have been some stirring speeches by labour leaders at the Boilermakers' 33rd Consolidated Convention. But among the biggest cheers was reserved for Canadian Labour Congress President Hassan Yussuff, who urged our American brothers and sisters to reject the right-wing extremism being spouted by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

"Whatever you do, you cannot allow a right-wing asshole to rule your country," he said to raucous laughter, cheers and a standing ovation.

It was one of several ovations that interrupted the CLC leader's speech, as he recounted the gains of Canada's unions have made over the past year:

• The Supreme Court issued two "very important rulings" that affirmed that Canadian workers have the right to strike under our Constitution and that they have the right to freely choose to belong to a union without interference from employers and to free collective bargaining.
• In an equally important victory, "we kicked out one of the most right-wing, ideological governments we ever had at the federal level. Today, we have a very progressive government in our country and I'm proud of what we were able to do.

Labour's issues

"The new Liberal government won on a campaign on many of the issues that are priorities for our movement. So now we're working with the Liberals to make some positive legislative changes in our country. We know we've got much work to do but we intend to do everything we can to make sure this government stays on track."

"Two very nasty pieces of legislation" brought in by the Harper Conservatives are being repealed. One would have forced unions to disclose details of their spending to the government, while the other forced members to vote on whether they wanted a union, even if a majority in the workplace had signed membership cards.

"We have no issues with our members getting our financial information," Yussuff said. "But we will not provide our financial information to the enemies of our movement - not now and not ever."

On the issue of representation votes, "we know exactly what happened in every vote," he said. "Lawyers intervene and obstruct workers' free and democratic right to join a union."

Asbestos ban

• Canadian unions are pushing the federal government to institute a national ban on asbestos. "This is a terrible, terrible carcinogen." The ban would include a national registry of federal buildings that already contain asbestos and of workers who suffer from asbestosis, as well as bans on production and exporting the material.

  "The government has already indicated it will move in that direction, and when they reconvene in the Fall we're hoping they complete it."

• Yussuff congratulated the Canadian Boilermakers on our approach to hiring temporary foreign workers. While there have been many abuses of the program, Yussuff praised the union in Canada for only using the temporary workers as a last resort, and for treating them as members of the union while they are here.

  "The Boilermakers use the program in the right way: as a measure of last resort to fill labour shortages and ensure that projects go ahead and that members get jobs. And you make sure they are not exploited in any way."

• Canadian unions were successful in expanding the Canada Pension Plan. "I can't tell you how important this is to the labour movement of our country."

Important role for Boilermakers

Yussuff acknowledged the important role Canadian Boilermakers are playing in the CLC's campaigns.

Canadian IVP Joe Maloney "has always been there to support me and the Congress in the important work we are doing to build our movement."

Canadian labour's next priority is to fight the so-called Trans Pacific Partnership, which unions in the US have succeeded in stalling in that country.

"This Trans Pacific Partnership sells out North American industries and workers, and we must do everything to ensure that this trade agreement never sees the light of day in our respective countries.

"This will be an absolute disaster for workers and your members," he said.

Special message to Americans

Yussuff said he had a "very special message" for American trade unionists.

"We were able to...get rid of a right-wing government. We want you to make sure you don't elect one in the United States.

"There may be a border that separates us, but as working people, there is no separation," Yussuff said. "Ninety-nine percent of what's in you is in me and in each one of us. Borders don't divide us; our values are the same. We believe in fairness, equality and social justice for all working people. Let's stand strong. Let's stand together to build a truly great movement in this country and in Canada."