The LSPU Non-Partisan League (NPL) is the political arm of the Longshoremen’s Protective Union (I.L.A.) Local 1953 in the Province of Newfoundland Labrador. It was created in 1907 before the 1908 General Election in pre-confederation Newfoundland.
The LSPU supported and ran candidates across party lines including the Peoples Party, the Union Party and the Workingmen’s Party, among others in many elections prior to the royal commission in 1934. The LSPU NPL has been engaged across party lines at the federal, provincial and municipal levels since confederation. It engages politically to allow members to gather individual contributions, coordinate political activity, and elect candidates who support LSPU members and their families.
Candidates we support know that the LSPU NPL stands for economic justice, security in the workplace and equality for every member. They do not take us for granted. The LSPU NPL scrutinizes each candidate thoroughly. We ask tough questions, such as their positions on fair trade, labour law reform, economic equality, transportation policies, and enhancement of safe work places, with sectoral standards for decent jobs on the docks and workplaces.
Politics and Legislative
The Legislative department of the LSPU ensures that members of the union are represented in Ottawa and St. John’s. From legislation that destroys vital laws that protect working men and women, to ensuring that the members issues are heard – the legislative department spends countless hours speaking with Parliament and House of Assembly leaders on behalf of LSPU members. As with LSPU NPL, the legislative department works to secure economic justice and security in the workplace.
Action Alerts Centre
Get involved with the legislative process by contacting your MP and MHA representatives on issues that matter most to you. Research voting records, read current legislation, and find out a little bit more about those who represent you in office. Learn more on the LSPU Legislative Action Initiatives.
Members Contribution Information
Who’s fighting to protect your job, pension, public healthcare and employment benefits? Who’s wrestling with the current administration over DECENT JOBS on the DOCKS? Who’s protecting your health and safety, your right to organize, your job security? Who’s taking on the multi-national corporations’ schemes to exploit dockers and workers in our province and country? Who’s battling Corporate Canada’s 14,000 high-priced lobbyists day in and day out?
The Longshoremen’s Protective Union Non-Partisan League is a heavyweight champion when it comes to politics and legislation. But these fights are expensive. Sadly, money buys access in the halls of power. And politicians listen more closely when contributors come calling.
The LSPU NPL goal is to deliver real change for the people of Newfoundland Labrador. We believe in policies that puts our people first. By delivering on a program of democratic reform and common sense solutions, together, we can build a better future for everyone in our province and country. The party whip system often has stifled debate and diversity of opinion within our parliament for far too long. We work across party lines and support independents who support us.
LSPU NPL will not condone a strict party whip system and we believe candidates should be free to speak and vote on key issues that matter most to their constituents. We stand for dialogue over division, because respectful debate and free expression is a cornerstone of democracy that must be upheld.
Politics should be a force for good, reflecting the realities of everyday life and promoting active citizenship. LSPU engagement is characterized by respect for different viewpoints, understanding that progress stems from dialogue, not division. LSPU NPL will support and elect candidates who represent their communities in rural and urban Newfoundland Labrador, while defending the individual freedoms and fundamental rights and equality of all citizens.
LSPU NPL is here to offer practical, workable and realistic solutions. LSPU NPL believes in an economy that works for working class people, the vast majority. The workers create all the wealth in society; builds the houses, mans the hospitals, powers the machinery, and runs our ports.
Everywhere you look, workers designed, planned, built, maintained or operated the things society needs, yet they do not get their full share. We don’t believe in identity politics and believe in the power of our working class identity who should enjoy the fruits of our labour.
