SWEDEN

I was never a big fan of labour unions and never belonged to one in my entire working career. I now think that I was short sighted to be so disapproving. A recent article written by Jim Sinclair of the B.C. Federation of Labour has convinced me that there is a place in North American industry for organized labour -- perhaps not quiet as adversarial as I recall, but there is a place.

Mr. Sinclair spent a summer in Sweden investigating the prosperity of that country and the relationship of management and labour. He found that labour is an essential part of Swedish life. He found that more than 80% of the work force belongs to a labour union.

The country has been governed by the Social Democratic Party for 70 of the past 80 years and has one of the strongest labour movements in the world. The federal labour code grants the usual rights to workers with a few that are unusual - the right to sit on the board of directors of companies with more than 25 members is one - the right to veto contracting-out, and the right to financial information are others.

Sweden has the highest standard of living in the world and yet the economy is still thriving to the extent that the government is considering an increase in its social program spending. Here are some of the benefits that are available now:

• Those who get sick are treated virtually free by a state-funded medical system (including drug costs).
• Those who find themselves out of work receive 80% of their pay for 12 months.
• They have a law guaranteeing childcare for all families and 12 months of parental care for each child born.
• Parents are allowed up to 60 days sick leave per year to care for sick family members, and by law they are allowed to ' work at 3/4 time until a child reaches eight years.
• Employers are required to provide at least 5 weeks of annual vacation each year to all employees. (I never reached that level before retiring.)
• Overtime is restricted to 200 hours per year for all union members.
• Education is given a high priority and post-secondary education is accessible to all citizens.

According to a UN survey, the woman of Sweden have more equality than anywhere else on the planet (upcoming article in process). This quality of life does not come cheap. The government pays for the programs with a tax equal to 50% of the gross national product (This rate is about double the rate in the US).

A welfare society such as Sweden's is difficult to imagine in North America where the market society is so well entrenched. The policy of survival on the basis of cheap labour is not remotely tolerated there, as it is here.

My personal memories of Sweden are much like those of Mr. Sinclair. Poverty appears to be nonexistent. There is no one sleeping on the streets or pan handling for loose change (as there is here on Main Street occasionally). Sweden is also under the pressure of the market economies of both Europe and North America. Their public health is under tremendous pressure. The private system, where the ability to pay is paramount, is trying to gain a foothold there as well as here.

When times were tough in the 90s, unemployment went up. The market forces immediately criticized the social programs for the temporary economic woes. Fortunately the Swedes hold their social programs dear to heart - the economy rebounded and unemployment dropped to 4 % without abandoning any principles.

The success of the Swedes bears further investigation just as the decline of North America does. It is definitely not totally attributable to Labour government as Mr. Sinclair implies -- Sweden has Proportional Representative government as well. Everyone has a vote, and a view, that counts.

Why do we continue to look to a system based on total corporate control as the epitome of perfection? There are other models of profoundly more just and kind societies on the planet.

Have a nice day.