CUPE BC and STV

Among the items on the agenda for this week's CUPE BC Convention are two resolutions concerning the BC-STV referrendum. Briefly put, Resolution #90 supports STV, while Resolution #95 opposes it.

I'll be voting against #90 and in favour of #95. While the first-past-the-post system is by no means perfect, changing the electoral system won't change the electoral system in BC until there are significant changes in the overall political system, particularly implementing some serious campaign finance reform. Moving the goalposts further from the community-based organizing that labour has seen most of its political success is not a good idea.

If you're scoring at home, resolution #90 comes from Local 374, and #95 is from CUPE BC's Political Action Committee and the Executive Board. It appears that the leadership of B.C.'s largest union is well on their way to formulating a position on STV, and given NDP candidates may be relying on support from the union, it may influence their position despite the party's official position of neutrality.