The New Westminster & District Labour Council was formed in 1966 to give a greater voice at the local level for the suburban local unions and their members in the lower mainland. Led by Brother Wyman Trineer of the IWA, a group of six union leaders called on the Canadian Labour Congress to issue a charter to form a new labour council.
At the September 28th 1966 meeting Tommy Douglas, honourary member of IWA Local 1-357 and National Leader of the New Democratic Party, spoke to delegates. Brother Douglas congratulated delegates on the formation of the New Westminster & District Labour Council and he emphasized that political decisions were going to be important, and that trade unionists must continue to give careful consideration to this aspect of their activities.
He also spoke of attempts to blame the rising costs of living on wage increases, and he suggested that Local Unions and District Councils must combat this type of propaganda and place the true story of wages and profits before the Public.
Fifty years later this struggle continues and the words of Tommy Douglas still ring true.
