IWA skirts

major issues

By TOM

McEWEN

_ The 19th annual convention of the B.C. District, Inter-
national Woodworkers of America, here last week, reflected

the failure of the leadership to
needs of the industry and the n

evolve policies answering the
ation. ;

Throughout the convention there was a strong under-

current of dissatisfaction with - -—

union leadership °and policies,
but at no time did: it break
through in constructive and criti-
cal debate.

Such issues as the preservation
of peace, the breaking down of
cold war barriers to trade, recog-
nition of the People’s Republic
of China, found no echo in the
convention of a union dependent
upon an industry vitally concern-
ed with peace*and trade.

Moreover, despite the fact. that
the lumber monopolies reaped re-
cord profits in 1954-55, the con-
vention failed to strike out: for
substantial and specified wage in-
creases, but contented itself with
demands for reclassification of

wage categories and a general up-
ward revision of wage rates.

The convention did express its
opposition to three-year wage
contracts, adhering to its policy of
one-year agreements. Any ex-
tension of this principle, dele-
gates held, should only be ap-
plied if “agreed to by the area
affected.” ;

Some changes in union policy
and negotiationg machinery were
effected. District officers will
now constitute the policy com-
mitee, and the negotiating com-
mittee will have increased local
representation. This will bring
the membership into closer con-
tact with contract negotiations.

On the positive side, the IWA
convention took a_ progressive
stand on the new merged Cana-
dian Labor Congress by support-
ing:

Annual CLC conventions,
with provisions written into the
CLC constitution for’a roll-call
vote of affiliated membership.

The “preservation of our
union’s basic democratic struc-
ture” within the new congress,
with a proposal that the IWA
international executive grant
credentials to IWA district of-

ficers delegated to attend CLC
conventions.

While action was deferred on
a resolution proposing changes in
the IWA constitution to provide
holding of “a national convention
in Canada of the Canadian mem-

bership” immediately prior to
CLC conventions, desire of dele-;

one of the most powerful unions
in the country by establishing
a unity committee to ‘deal with
the suggested merger of the
IWA and the Pulp, Sulphite
and Paper Makers Union in
B.C. 5

Considerable criticism was
voiced by delegates over district
officers’ failure to carry out un-
ion policies as determined by an-
nual convention.

The B.C. Lumber Worker also
came under fire, delegates voic-
ing the feeling that the union
paper should reflect the prob-
lems of local unions rather than
just the “opinions of a few peo-
ple.” A resolution adopted by
the convention expressed opposi-
tion “to certain types of business
advertising” carried in the B.C.
Lumber Worker but cited only
“pawn shops” as being objection-
able.

A® resolution \reaffirming IWA
support “for the International
Confederation of Free Trade
Unions in the fight for bread,
peace and rreedom” was referred
to the incoming executive for
further action.

A red-baiting resolution from

the Courtenay local on ex-
change of trade union delega-
tions between Canada and the
Soviet Union. containing a num-
ber of “whereases” about Rus-
sian “slaye-camps,” “one-room
apartments,” “long hours” and
“long hospital waiting lists,”
was defeated ,but no positive
proposals for trade union ex-
changes were advanced.

The convention concurred in re-
solutions designed to prevent doc-
tors from declaring workers fit
for “light jobs” and stop the Work-
men’s Compensation Board from
cutting off benefits to injured
workers before they are fit to
resume normal work.

By and large, the convention
confined itself to minor issues
of trade union policy and action.
Although there was a sentiment
in the convention for a greater
degree of united political action
on the broader issues, a resolu-
tion calling for formation of “a
federated Farmer-Labor party by

gates for preservation of Cana-;amalgamation of farmer organiz-

dian autonomy was obvious.

A resolution supporting the
principle of one delegate for every |
500 members to CLC conventions
was defeated, but mainly on the
basis of “cost” rather than on prin-
ciple.

On the question of the Guaran-
teed Annual Wage, the conven-
tion agreed to set up a committee
representative of all local unions
to study all phases of GAW and
to submit their recommendations
to.the 1957 convention in the form
of wage contract demands. Re-
duction of the working week was
also agreed upon “consistent with
the advance of automation” but
no specified shortening of hours
of work was agreed upon.

The convention took a step
towards creating what could be

7

ations, the CCF and the trade
union movement” was tabled,
pending consumation of the TLC-
CCL merger at the unity con-
gress in April and further pos-
sible developments in the field
of independent political action.

“Everything in Flowers”
FROM... ,
EARL SYKES

56 E. Hastings St. PA. 3855
VANCOUVER, B.C.

iz NIZE

TRO

ARNEL‘’S
COFFEE SHOP
410 Main St.

i Operated By
GEORGE & WINNIFRED

GIBBONS .

A
Cc

The resolution proposes to the
newly-merged Canadian Labor
Congress that “Red officered”
unions must be “cleaned out” be-
fore being included in the CLC
merger.

“These unions,” the resolution
states, “must not be allowed affili-
ation with the CLC until “absolute
jiation with the cle until “absol-
proof” is given that subversive”
officers have been purged from
their ranks.

Despite the fact that many dele-
gates had left before the session
closed, this disruptive resolution
was placed before and “endorsed”
by the remainder of the delegates.

Similar witch-hunting resolu-
tions sparked the McCarthyite
attack upon the electrical and
carpenters’ unions last summer

and came close to wrecking these
unions,

A delegate told the Pacific
Tribune following the meeting
that “the Shipwrights’ resolution
violated all principles of trade
union democracy which must be
an integral part of the new
Canadian Labor Congress,” add-
ing that “individual local unions
must now speak up in defense of
a democratic merger to offset the

McCarthyite motion would limit
affiliation to new congress

Delegates from the Shipwrights, Boat builders and Caulkers’ Union Local. 506
(AFL) slipped in a typical McCarthyite resolution at the close of this week’s session of the
Vancouver, New Westminster and District Trades and Labor Council (TLC-AFL).

evil done by the McCarthyites in sity of bringing before the legis- -

the Shipwrights’ locals.”
Another resolution endorsed by

council delegates urged upon the

Bennett government the neces-

lature at this session legislation
allowing for Sunday sports, in
“respect to the people’s wishes in

Vancouver.”

Salavage men want
gov’t order rescinded

Opinion is almost unanimous
among those who earn a liveli-
hood in coastal waters salvaging
logs, in condemning the Decem-
ber, 1955 order of the Socred
government imposing a _ $50
licence fee on each log salvager,
and requiring that all such logs
be sold through a designated
“pool.” .

. Log salvage workers charge the
Bennett government with highly
discriminatory treatment. On the
one hand they observe huge
tracts of timber stands being
given away to monopolies under
the government’s Forest Manage-
ment Licence scheme, and on the
other they find a levy placed upon

ordinary citizens seeking a living
at a useful occupation, making it
impossible for them to survive.

Log- salvage workers are cir- —
culating a petition and seeking
public support for their demand
to have the government order
rescinded. The petition asks:
“Why should a log salvager pay
thirty-five to eighty percent out
of every log he salvages to Gulf
Log Salvage, or any other firm
that sees fit to try the same
thing ?”

Those seeking more informa-
tion should write M. C. Carrol,
Thurlow P., O., Shoal Bay, B.C.

OVALTINE
CAFE

251 EAST HASTINGS
- Vancouver, B.C.

QUALITY SERVICE

NEW ZENITH
CAFE )

105 €. Hastings St.
For The Finest In Good Eating

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING |

A charge of 50 cents for each
insertion of five lines or less with
10 cents for each additional line
is made for notices appearing in
this column. No notices will be
accepted tater than Tuesday noon
of the week of publication.

CARD OF THANKS

It is with sincere thanks that
we express to our many friends
our appreciation of the kindly
expressions of sympathy and the
beautiful floral tributes which
came to us upon the death of our

Jones. We especially wish to
thank the following people and
groups — our many neighbors
for constant help and sympathy
during his long illness; Doctor
Tom Dalrymple and Dr. J. R.
Wilson and nurses and orderlies
at Shaughnessy Hospital for care
beyond the call of duty; Mr.
James Hillier, sick visitor for the
Telephone Pioneers of America;
the Rev. A. Hodgkins for his in-
spiring address and the manage-
ment of the Glenhaven Memorial
Chapel; Effie Jones and family.

NOTICES

DEADLINE FOR COMING
EVENTS COLUMN — All copy
must be in the Pacific Tribune
office not later than 12 noon
Tuesday.

POSTAGE STAMPS wanted. Don-
ate your used postage stamps,
any country, including Canada,
particularly values above 5c and
perforated OHMS or overprinted
OHMS or G. Stamps should
not be torn or mutilated and are
best left on paper, with perfor-
ations not cut into in trimming.
Resale proceeds go to Pacific
Tribune sustaining fund.

COMING EVENTS—CITY

COMING SOON — THE GREAT-
EST PEACE STORY EVER
TOLD. Official Indian docu-
mentary film on the Bandung

-

Conference. B. C. Peace Council.

.

beloved husband and father Frank‘

FEB 1 REGULAR MEETING

. . CANADIAN SOVIET
FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY — Also
Short Film Showing “MOUNTAIN
MOVERS” and “THE MIGHTY
MUSKIES” on Friday, Feb. 10,
8 p.m., Room 6, Pender Auditor-
ium. Election of Officers. Every-
one welcome.

FEB ] ANNUAL TRUMAN

2 DINNER at 805 E.
Pender, AUUC Hall, Saturday,
Feb. 11 from 6 p.m. Everyone
invited. Proceeds for “UC” and
“Pacific Tribune.”

F EB. Good Food, Refresh-
ments and Games. From 9 p.m.
to ? ? ? ? at 1045 Grand Bivd.,
North Van. Vancouverites can
catch the North Van. and Blvd.
bus on Georgia St. and return
transportation will be provided
back to Vancouver. Everybody is
invited. Auspices Dry Dock Club.

FEB. el LUNCHEON — Sat-

p.m. Pender Auditorium, 339 W.
Pender. Speakers: ‘Mrs. Marge
Ferguson and Mrs. Mona Worth.
Sponsored by World Congress of
Mothers, B.C. Committee. Tick-

ets 75c.
FEB 1 YOU ARE INVITED TO

2 CELEBRATE WITH
TOM McEWEN HIS BIRTHDAY
and enjoy a spaghetti dinner as
well, at his home at 2135 West 6th
Sunday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m. to ? ? ?
Music, Bridge and Refreshments.
$1.00 per meal. Auspices Kitsi-

Jano Club.

FEB 1 TOUR ‘MEXICO (In
° films, of course).

“WONDERFUL MEXICO”

“MEXICAN DANCES” — “yu-

CATAN RUINS.” All in color.

Courtesy Mexican Consulate. Fri- =
day, Feb. 17, 8:15 p.m. Pender E
Auditorium. Admission 50 cents. 2

Refreshments. B.C. Peace Council

FEB, 2

600 Campbell Avenue.
body welcome.

Every-

urday, Feb. 11, 12:30].

CABERET NIGHT — =
Saturday, Feb, 25 at
8 p.m. at Russian People’s Home,

FEBRUARY 16, 1956 — PACIFIC TRIBUNE — PAGE

BUSINESS PERSONALS

KEITH FISH AND CHIPS —
Deep Fried Chicken and Fish
in Peanut Oil our Specialty !
Take Out! Phone YO. 9919; 749
W. Keith, North Vancouver.
Mary and Jim Beynon, prop.

THE MOST MODERN CLEANERS
Cleaning, -Pressing and Dyeing.
Alterations ‘and Repairs. 754
East Hastings. TA. 0717.

REGENT TAILORS LTD. — Ccus-
TOM TAILORS & READY-TO-
WEAR. For personal service see
Henry Rankin at 324 W. Hastings
St., Vancouver 3. PAcific 8456.

% TRANSFER & MOVING. Court-
eous, fast, efficient. Call NICK
at HA. 5794-L and GLen. 4620.

ROOFING AND KEPAIRS—Duroid,
Tar and Gravel, Gutters and
Downpipe. REASONABLE.

NICK BITZ. AL, 4141
O.K. RADIO SERVICE. Latest
factory precision equipment

used. MARINE SERVICE, 1420
Pender St. West. TA. 1012.

HALLS FOR RENT

RUSSIAN PEOPLE’S HOME —
Available for meetings, wed-
dings, and banquets at reason-
able rates. 600 Campbell Ave. »
TA. 9939.

CLINTON HALL, 2605 E. Pender.
Available for Banquets, Wed-
dings, Meetings, Etc. Phone HA.
3277, : :

PUG A

PENDER
AUDITORIUM

(Marine Workers)

339 West Pender
LARGE & SMALL HALLS

= FOR RENTALS
= Phone PA. 9481
SR