TRADE UNION LEADERS SPEAK THEIR MIND:

—s for

of B.C. for peace, jobs and

think the big issues at
a political nature.
“Labor legislation, Bills 43
and 42, and the development
of an effective public informa-
tion campaign along with the
petition campaign under way
by the B.C. Federation of La-
bor, will be at the centre of the
discussions.
“People are misled by mis-
information and lack of in-
formation from the daily press
on the serious curtailments of
our civil liberties through re-

PADDY NEALE, Secretary,
Vancouver Labor Council: “I
this
convention are likely to be of

What are fi

By WILLIAM STEWART

HE upcoming convention of the B.C. F ederation of Labor, meeting in Vancouver
October 23-26, is a very important event in the struggle of the working people

democratic advance.

To give our readers some advance knowledge of how issues shape up for this
important convention the Pacific Tribune interviewed a number of prominent trade
union leaders. Here are their comments: |

shorter hours. The problem
lies in the implementation of
these decisions.

“There should be, in my
opinion, the basis for a co-or-
dinated wage movement in
B.G.. in 1962.’ :

Peace: “I think the position
of the labor movement on nu-
clear weapons for~ Canada is
clear. No Nuclear Arms for
Canada. I am sure the conven-
tion will reiterate this posi-
tion.

“T also think the convention
will restate its opposition to
Canada joining O.A.S.

“T personally am opposed to
our membership in NATO and
NORAD but I believe that the
convention will support the

DICK GREAVES, National
President of National Associa-
tion of Marine Engineers, C.B.
of R.T., President of Local 425,
and executive member B.C.
Federation of Labor:

“I consider it of vital im-
portance that this Federation

Convention call a conference Tycoon.”

of all unions going into nego- Pe
tiations in 1962 to work out| talking about the others? inform the Canadian Labot
a co-ordinated policy around; “I think the Convention! Congress of our desire for u

the question of a 35-hour week.

“Along with this a stepped-
up campaign by labor against
the anti-labor legislation of the
Socred Government is essen-
tial.

“

camp.

“Unemployment is not being| heard effectively in

tackled seriously either by

| 1e Key ESS t
labor?

should reiterate its opposition
to Canada remaining in NATO
and NORAD and the OAS and
propose Canada join the peace

“If labor is to make its voice
these
many matters we must unite

management or government. It | the unions

in one Canadian

Soa ae

e of the Tearfu

and jurisdictional dispute’
presently plaguing the Cana
dian labor movement.” }
JAMES BARTON, Business
Agent, Plumbers, Pipefitier> —
and Steamfitters Local 170.

“One of the big issues will

position taken by the New
Democratic Party which aims
to change NATO and NORAD

is estimated that an additional
one million jobs will be re-

centre and end the senseless
division that

be around NATO and NORAD:
I think the majority of dele

presently de-

PADDY NEALE (above), who
Says labor's rights, peace, need
for higher wages and shorter
hours are among the key issues
facing B.C. labor.

into agencies for aid to the un-
derdeveloped countries.”
Public Power: “In my opin-
ion labor should do every-
thing possible to stop the de-
velopment of the Peace River
Power at this time, and rene-
gotiate the ‘Columbia Treaty
on the basis of the McNaugh-
BEIT SP ate se 3s :

“At thé same time labor
should’ mount’ a strong cam-
paign to'reduce power rates to
the consumer by 25%. Figures
demonstrate that such a reduc-
tion is feasible immediately.

quired to absorb Canada’s la-
bor force by 1965 and our ex-
perience is that automation,
mechanization and
are adding to that total rather
than creating new jobs.

secondary
nett Government is trying to
sell our power south ‘of ‘the
border instead of developing it
for B.C. use, which is the firm
foundation for substantial in-
dustrialization in B.C.

coming hewers of wood and

bor’s voice.”

speed-up

“Rather than efforts to build Labor:

industry, the Ben-|
the B.C. Federation of Labor is
bringing in a recommendation
which will prepare the way
for co-ordination of the 1962
Wage drive in B.C. It calls for
a meeting of all unions in mid-
December that are going into
bargaining in 1962. The build-

“We are more and more be-

stroys the effectiveness of la-

CHARLES STEWART, Busi.|
ness Agent, Division 101 Street
Railwaymen’s Union, member
executive, B.C. Federation of

“The executive council of

cent anti-labor legislation pass-
ed by the Bennett Govern-
ment. We must overcome this
and find the ways of getting
before as many non-labor or-
ganizations as possible and ex-
Plain the true facts to them.

“T feel that the labor move-
ment must take a firmer posi-
tion than it has over the last
several years on the question
of shorter hours of work and
higher wages.

“I don’t think anyone could
quarrel with the statements of
either Canadian Labor Con-
gress conventions or B.C. Fed-
eration conventions on the
need for higher wages and

Bennett wants to use these
profits to develop the Peace
River, however, and keep the
Columbia for power export to
the U.S.A. which labor is un-
alterably opposed to.
Labor Unity: “I never be-
lieved a union should be disal-
lowed membership in the CLC
because of the political views
of its leaders or members, with
which I may disagree. This is a
matter for the membership to
decide. It is wrong to exclude
thousands of members from
the main centre of labor be-
cause we might not agree with
the politics of their elected
leaders. |

Labor across Canada
takes stand for peace

@ SASKATCHEWAN — The sixth annual convention
of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labor at the end of
September expressed strong opposition to nuclear arms for
Canada. ? »

A resolution passed called on the Canadian government
to refuse to equip Canadian forces with any type of nuclear
arms; refuse permission to any couniry for the storing of
nuclear weapons on Canadian soil: work toward an immediate
ban of all nuclear testing and manufacturing of weapons
of war; eliminate present defense spending as quickly as
possible with a view to using this money to improve the
social welfare of all Canadians.

® NOVA SCOTIA — The Nova Scotia Federation of
Labor meeting in convention recently adopted a resolution
against continued arms spending.

® MONTREAL — The labor council here at its recent
meeting unanimously passed a motion to write the Prime
Minister opposing nuclear weapons for Canada.

drawers of water
U.S.A.

“A heavy responsibility rests
on the Canadian labor move-
ment and our B.C. Federation
of Labor to create an aware-
ness of these vital facts, and
involve workers in a fight for
new policies which will force
governments to carry out
“measures creating jobs and a
future for Canada.
“All of these urgent ques-
tions, however, are secondary
to the overriding need for
world peace. As a minimum I
think the convention must de-
clare its unanimous opposition
to war over the question of re-
unification of Germany. The
German question can and

Must be settled by negotia-
tions,”

for the

ing trades, sparked by the car-
penters, have already indicat-
ed that the 35-hour week will
loom as a key issue in ’62 ne-
gotiations, and after the hold-
the-line policy forced on labor
by management in 1961, I
think this will be the hottest
issue at the convention.
“Certainly the fight back
against anti-labor legislation
can be expected to occupy
much of the time of the dele-
gates. I am hopeful that the
convention will serve to help
rekindle the spirit of militancy
and revolt in the trade unions,
lack of which is reflected in

the poor settlements of last
year,

convention will be working
out the relationship between
the trade unions and the New
Democratic Party. It would be
wrong and harmful to rely
only on the NDP ‘to carry the
fight for labor’s needs in the
legislative chamber. To the de-
8ree the trade’ unions
mass movements for progres-
sive legislation the NDP will
register gains at the polls and
the workers will y
islation in B.C,

e

ORVILLE BRAATEN, Edi-
tor, Western Pulp and Paper
Worker, Business Ageni Puip
and Sulphite Workers Union:
“This convention can be the
beginning of a turning point
for labor. Rank and file mem-
bers are getting fed up with
the lackadaisical attitude of
many labor leaders. I expect
this convention will be the be-
ginning of a newand more vig-
orous course for labor,

“While many important mat-
ters will come before this gath-
ering, unemployment, hours of
work, political action, anti-
labor legislation; the most im-
portant question will be that
of peace. If we don’t win that

concretely restate its implied
position of last year calling for

and NORAD and stay out of
the OAS. I believe the NDP
convention following, will take
a similar position. ’

“T hope and expect that the
delegates will unmistakably

struggle what is the sense in

“An interesting aspect of the :

create]

win such leg-| j

“I think the Convention willl |

Canada to get out of NATO

gates will tag along with the
NDP-Ottawa position on this
matter, but I expect it to caus®
a major debate. :

“T am hopeful that the com”
vention will set the stage for 4
real head-on fight for a shortel _
work week in 1962. I don
think labor can dodge this
fight any longer and I predi
that the delegates will really
lay down the law on this que”
tion. 4
“There is some evidence that
we will part company with ou
legalistic approach to ant
labor legislation and really bé

paign for its defeat.
fight is long overdue.”
® rs
Well, there you have it. A¥
we said at the beginning it
shapes up to be an interestin&8 ;
and important convention. é
It’s still possible for you!
voice to be heard. Tell yout
delegate what you think about
the issues before labor’s 196!
parliament. ;
Remember, its your wages
your working conditions, 22
yes, your life that’s at stake

ORVILLE BRAATEN (above!
who says the most importa?
question is peace. “If we 40”
win that struggle what is }
sense in talking about
other issue,” he adds.

October 20, 1961. RO oor __1Deuwe