Confederation of Western Industry
Western industry has never reached the same scale as that of its Norlight or Mercantile neighbors, but is nonetheless diverse and well developed. Many of the companies are small, their business limited to a single community or region; others have massive infrastructures and offices throughout the league. All these concerns, small or large, are threatened by the economic might of the Protectorate's eastern neighbor, the United Mercantile Federation, and after several companies were acquired by Mercantile concerns, the remainder banded together in a loose association.
Originally called the Fort William Industrial Executive, the group was a close-knit alliance of companies, principally associated with heavy industry and arms manufacturing concerns. The group's influence and membership spread across the Great Western Plain, and in TN 1614 the association was renamed the Confederation of Western Industry. Their principal task was to provide a forum in which matters concerning the Protectorate economy could be discussed, particularly with regard to attempts by outside groups to gain a foothold in the Protectorate. Working closely with the government, they succeeded in stalling UMF attempts to subvert the Western economy to its own ends, allowing the league to maintain its independence. The formation of the CNCS finally forced the Protectorate to open up its markets but the same treaty also provided control mechanisms that gave Western industries an advantage on their home territories.
Lobbying to protect these trade tariff has been the CWI's largest single task for almost 250 cycles. knowing that if foreign companies were allowed free reign in the Protectorate local industries would be devastated. To that end the member-companies of the CWI are obliged to pay a subscription fee (proportional to their turnover) which serves as the group's "war chest" and funds pro-tariff lobbying in Fort William and Valeria. They have, however, been steadily losing ground and the alliance is beginning to show signs of strain as the larger members prepare for what they see as the inevitable Mercantile onslaught. Confederation president Holst has attempted to use the Interpolar War to strengthen bonds in the CWI, fostering cooperation between companies to allow then to meet the demands of the WFPA Procurement Division and to minimize the disruption caused on day-to-day operations. The war has taken its toll and many small companies, particularly those relying on trade with the AST, have been forced out of business by the trade sanctions, prompting a spike in unemployment and a sharp downturn in the Western economy.
Structure
The governing body of the CWI meets weekly to discuss matters, usually via secure trideo links, but at least once a month in person in Fort William. A ballot at the CWI conference determines membership of this twelve-person body and members serve for a cycle, though many are re-elected for several consecutive terms. Most of the executive come from the Protectorate's largest companies (each company has votes in proportion to their revenue) but tradition dictates that at least one member comes from a minor company, often including one-man concerns, to provide a small-business perspective.
The executive's powers are limited and their principal role is to screen suggestions and produce draft proposals that are placed before the regular gathering of the Confederation, usually held in the Palacio de Crystal in Fort James. Since the outbreak of war, security issues have prompted a relocation to the Doughty Center in Fort William. These four-day events are a mix of formal presentations, debates and socializing, and often serve as ad-hoc trade fairs. Prominent political and military figures are a common sight at the convention, guests of corporate hospitality which seeks to win their support for a wide range of issues. Such influence is often as much for the benefit of a single company as for the CWI.
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