By Marisa Babic
http://www.thenownewspaper.com/issues05/035105/news/035105nn1.html
Borrowing a page from Karl Marx, a group of anti-workaholics have coined their own revolutionary political message for the masses: Workers of the world, relax.
The mantra is being promulgated by the Work Less Party, which plans to run at least 11 candidates in the provincial election in May.
Despite the party's mirth-provoking moniker, party founder Conrad Schmidt says the party is serious about its mission.
"In the 2005 election we are not serious about winning, of course," Schmidt said Wednesday in an interview with the Now. "For a new party, for us to say we're serious would be crazy but we're hoping that the idea would resonate and that by 2009 it won't be such an absurd notion to work less."
As for the catchy name?
Schmidt admits they had to go for a name that was "blatantly absurd" to generate publicity.
"We're not a lazy political party," he adds with a laugh. "We had to chose a name that had a hook."
Schmidt and his sympathizers formed the party about a year and a half ago in response to the war in Iraq.
"The reason for the war in Iraq is our dependency on resources across the world, and this same dependency that forces us into the war is the same dependency that's destroying our environment through over consumption," he explains. "We figured what is the link between environmental pollution, war and social problems, and the things that fit all three aspects was overwork, and what we're saying is, 'Hey, workers of the world, reee-lax.'"
What's on the platform of the Work Less Party? Aside from protecting the environment, it's less work, naturally, in the form of a 32-hour work week.
Schmidt says it can done - quite easily, too.
He used to work for a company that designs computer software for factories. His epiphany came when he realized one day that all he was was a "landfill filler", helping factories crank out unnecessary consumer goods.
"You'd be surprised just how easy it is to get a four-day work week," said Schmidt, who successfully negotiated one for himself and now rides a bike instead of driving a car.
"All it really takes is being honest with your employer, and you just say, 'Hey, do you think that everybody in this building is being productive on Friday and Monday?' he said, laughing, "Or what about Monday morning? Everybody's too exhausted. Friday, nothing happens, Monday nothing happens.
The Work Less Party launched its official election campaign this week and may be taking a run-fewer-candidates strategy. To date, they have 11 candidates signed up, but may run a few more - but not too many more.
One local candidate, Gordon Scott, plans to run in Surrey-Newton riding.
Scott, 48, says a shorter work week would reduce stress, unemployment and health care costs. Over a year, a 32-hour work week would free up one whole month for leisure.
"We're living in a rat-race society and people are stressed to the max," said Scott, who was awakened by a reporter at 11:30 a.m Wednesday.
He wants the rest of us to think about this: "What are you killing yourselves for? Make your life and your dreams and your family a priority and not kill yourself for the company."
Both Scott and Schmidt point out that a work-less lifestyle is a choice people in other parts of the world embrace.