ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — As Newfoundland and Labrador heads toward the October 14 provincial election, the province’s oldest active trade union is challenging political leaders to take a stand for workers’ rights, economic fairness, and sustainable growth.
The Longshoremen’s Protective Union (I.L.A.) Local 1953 has released its Non-Partisan League Manifesto, a comprehensive policy blueprint aimed at shaping a more equitable future for working people and communities across the province. Founded in 1903, the union traces its roots back to the 1918 Reid Newfoundland General Strike, and the new document builds on that legacy of solidarity and social justice.
Described by the union as both a call to action and a moral contract, the manifesto outlines 18 key policy areas grounded in principles of equality, democracy, and sustainability. It urges candidates from all parties to commit to “building an ethical government that prioritizes people over profit.”
“Our members have been fighting for over 135 years to protect the rights and dignity of working people,” said Chris Gosse, President of LSPU Local 1953. “This manifesto is not just a set of policies — it’s a vision for a fair and sustainable Newfoundland & Labrador, where no worker is left behind, and every community has a future.”
Dockworkers Demand Decent Jobs and Sectoral Standards
At the centre of the document is a call for Decent Jobs on NL Docks, reflecting ongoing concerns about pay disparities and unsafe working conditions within the province’s maritime industry.
According to the manifesto, Newfoundland and Labrador dockworkers are earning significantly less than their counterparts in Halifax and Montreal. The union argues that so-called “ports of convenience” — privately owned facilities that bypass local labour standards — have contributed to wage erosion and job insecurity.
“Dockers carry our economy on their backs,” said Gosse. “Yet too often, they are underpaid, overworked, and overlooked. We need sectoral wage standards, fair contracts, and respect for trade union rights across every dock in this province. No public money should go to private ports that don’t pay family-sustaining wages.”
Among its proposals, the manifesto calls for the creation of a Dockers’ Charter, federal collective bargaining agreements covering marine cargo, ferry, and offshore services, and the ratification of the International Labour Organization’s Dock Work Convention No. 137, which guarantees job security and labour rights for dockworkers worldwide.
“This is about fairness and safety,” Gosse added. “When workers are exhausted, underpaid, and undertrained, accidents happen. It’s time for our government and Transport Canada to work with labour to enforce strong occupational standards and ensure that every docker returns home safe.”
A Broader Vision for Economic and Social Justice
While maritime labour issues remain central to the LSPU’s identity, the manifesto extends far beyond the waterfront. It presents a comprehensive platform addressing health care, education, local business, Indigenous rights, environmental sustainability, and democratic reform.
The document supports universal health care, renewable energy investment, and fair taxation, while urging government action to implement all 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It also emphasizes the need to rebuild local industries and promote small business development as a foundation for regional economic resilience.
“Our province’s future must be built on solidarity, not exploitation,” Gosse said. “From dockers to farmers, from students to seniors, every Newfoundlander and Labradorian deserves dignity, fairness, and opportunity. This manifesto is a blueprint for that better tomorrow.”
The LSPU’s Non-Partisan League framework, first established in the early 20th century, has long positioned the union as an independent political voice for labour — one that transcends party lines while holding governments accountable for workers’ welfare.
A Call to Political Leaders
In the lead-up to election day, the LSPU is asking all provincial candidates to formally endorse the principles of the manifesto. The union is also calling for legislation that strengthens collective bargaining, expands public ownership of key infrastructure, and reinforces Newfoundland and Labrador’s right to self-determination in economic and environmental policy.
“We will fight in Parliament, in the Confederation Building, and on the picket line if we have to,” said Gosse. “This is about building a province that works for the many — not the few. The struggle that began in 1889 continues today, and we will never back down from the good fight.”
As the campaign season intensifies, the union’s platform adds a powerful labour voice to the provincial policy debate. By linking historic struggles with contemporary challenges — from income inequality to climate change — LSPU Local 1953’s manifesto seeks to redefine what “economic progress” means for Newfoundland and Labrador in the 21st century.
About the LSPU Local 1953
The Longshoremen’s Protective Union began organizing on the St. John’s waterfront in 1890 and formally unionized in 1903 following a series of strikes and work stoppages. Today, it remains a leading advocate for dockworkers’ rights and community development across Newfoundland and Labrador.
To read the full LSPU NPL Manifesto for the 2025 Provincial Election, visit: https://lspu-ila1953.ca/lspu-npl-manifesto-for-2025-provincial-election-presents-bold-progressive-agenda-for-working-people/
