The Political Ramifications Of The Neo-Liberal BC Government

IV.The Political Ramifications of Governmental Corruption and Financial neglect of Union Agreements

Finally, the political ramifications of the Neo-Liberal BC government define the veneer of democratic involvement in order to help union truck drivers. The hostility of the BC government to the UNIFOR strike is an important example of the near totality of a corporate influence government that has very little tolerance for workers rights and union demands during the 2014 strike. In response to the initial strike, the BC government sought to utilize a “Back-To Work” law that would have forced the striking UNIFOR drivers to begin moving storage containers throughout the port. This Neo-Liberal agenda defines the pro-corporate view of unions as

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This type of legislative hostility supports the contention that the BC government did not seek diplomatic or negotiating terms at first, which suggest the power of corporate culture in the government’s reaction to the strike. The “Back-to Work” policies of the government reflect a pro-corporate political agenda that is in line with the Neo-Liberal agenda that has been being projected onto the unions and other port truck drivers. The political culture of the BC government is hostile to the enforcement of the strike agreements and enforcing the wage increases of the union contract.

In addition to bureaucratic posturing, the local governmental organizations meant to represent the truck drivers have been co-opted by pro-corporate agents that have become an obstacle to government enforcement of wage increases and policy changes. UNIFOR has become politically involved in exposing the transparency of corporate/government collusion to keep wages low and to not represent the unions through previously made agreements. The current B.C. Maritime Employer’s Association has been an example of the Neo-Liberal aspects of governance in the nomination of Andy Smith as the new

UNIFOR has been active in exposing the political aspects of Neo-Liberal agenda that utilizes the “revolving door” practices of allowing former corporate officials to be inserted into government positions. In the case of Andy Smith, the current problem of corporate collusion in government officiating has created a barrier to effective resolution to the problem of fair wages, licensing agreements, and the proper mediation between union and trucking companies that are needed. These aspects of the unions, port authorities, organizational officials, and the BC government define the overarching power of a Neo-Liberal agenda that is generated through the corporate power of the American trucking companies being used in Port Metro