LABOR POLICY AND SOCIAL-DEMOCRACY - THE CASE OF SASKATCHEWAN, 1971-1982

This article analyzes labor policy, especially that of occupational he alth and safety, initiated by the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (N DP) from 1971 to 1982. The NDP was perceived by Canadian provincial la bor federations and the Canadian Labour Congress as the government mos t approximating a European labor party. The provincial labor legislati on was seen as exemplary, and the occupational health and safety legis lation as a ''beacon'' for the rest of Canada. This article suggests t hat the advances in occupational health and safety statute and regulat ions were a direct response to the government's policy to develop uran ium mining. In order to pursue a vigorous renewable and nonrenewable r esource policy, the government maintained that uranium could be mined ''safely.'' This resulted in ''progressive'' health and safety legisla tion and the reinforcement of the colonial status of people of Indian ancestry. This policy of growth and development also resulted in joint venture relationships with multinational corporations and increasing investments in the north for nonrenewable resource development. Prior to the landslide defeat of the NDP in 1982 by the Conservative Party, the richest 5 percent of Saskatchewan people earned as much, in total, as the poorest 50 percent. Meanwhile, ordinary workers experienced de clining real wages and increased employment insecurity.