Qo THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER a ore oy CONTINUED .FROM PAGE 1 “Union Strength which they could collectively gain recognition. It is not the question, “what will they get for me?” but rather, “what will we get for ourselves?” that suggests the preferable attitude. TTT RU IUGR SL Nu Us Wage rates are of first importance and have always been given foremost consideration in IWA bargaining. Because of this importance, collective bargaining on wages will be discussed in a later installment. This single item in a collective agreement is only briefly noted here to indicate that its significance is not to be disregarded. IWA_ bargaining on wages has progres- sively raised and stabilized the living standards of woodworkers in a remarkable degree. But wage rates have not been the sole consideration in the IWA de- velopment of a collective agreement. It has been the IWA purpose to secure adequate income for the indi- vidual worker under conditions that afford the maxi- mum security, health, safety and opportunity to enjoy the amenities of community living. Early in its collective bargaining, the IWA stressed the welfare concept of an agreement. The desirability of this concept is seen in the description of pre-bargain- ing conditions by a worker nearly killed on the job and hospitalized for months. He writes: “The average employer regarded his em- ployees, particularly in the lower ranks, with a sort of calloused indifference to their plight which today defies comprehension . . . This was especially true of the large companies . . . The worker was looked upon as just part of the machinery which kept the company operat- ing and he was treated like that. If he were injured or totally incapacitated, even in the line of duty, he was cast aside and replaced like a broken piece of OLYMPIA TAILORS | WE ARE PROUD TO Fi / : ' + Won Victories. UREA A ek OFFER YOU 7. equipment . . . And rare was the employer who gave SHIFFER HILLMAN tinker’ d to him.” UALIT a tinker’s damn what happene widen a In recent decades, the non-wage aspects of agree- e ments, the so-called “fringe” benefits, have been ex- A Large Selection of panding faster than the basic wage. During periods of Imported Materials wartime wage stabilization, the IWA exerted pressure ee Pes i in its bargaining for non-wage benefits which were soon All Gncesbaan valued almost as highly as wage gains by woodworkers. This broader, or welfare concept, of collective bargain- ing did not sacrifice efforts to raise wage levels, but actually gave richer content to subsequent wage gains. 2425 East Hastings St. | (Nanaimo & Hastings Sts.) 9 Vancouver 6, B.C. q AL. 3-1310 The Union’s agreements have always safeguarded. the hours of work. IWA bargaining originally established the 8-hour day and 40-hour week throughout the lumber industry in advance of legislation later provided. Now the agreement invariably stipulates the work week in a manner that ensures workers the enjoyment of the customary two consecutive days of rest — Saturday and Sunday. Compulsion in the matter of overtime work, — except in grave emergencies, is always opposed. Further —— protection is found in provisions for call time and stand- by time. Regulations of the hours of work by contract — = provisions has proved to be a great boon for the workers and the community. The earliest contracts negotiated by the IWA gave | attention to rules providing for recognition of seniority in lay-offs, promotion and re-hiring. IWA negotiators have always seen this feature of the agreement as one of prime importance in the protection of job security. These rules began from the bottom and were seldom handed down from the top. They have provided the best means to eliminate favoritism and discrimination. See “UNION STRENGTH WON VICTORIES” — Page 7 PIERRE PARIS & SONS 51 West Hastings Street Vancouver 3, B.C. Family Teamwork in Craftsmanship since 1907 ‘THE WORLD IS FULL OF BRIGHT IDEAS... WE WISH WE’D BEEN BRIGHT ENOUGH TO HAVE HAD MORE THAN ONE. TO MAKE THE BEST BOOTS IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD (AND STARTING RIGHT IN B.C.). BUT THEN, WE’VE MANAGED TO DO ALL RIGHT WITH OURS. IT WORKS EVERY TIME! y Why most Professionals use OREGON Saw Chains Most Western Canadian tim- ber cutters use precision- made MICRO-BIT saw chain — for faster cutting and higher profit. They use it on any make or model of chain saw, in any weather on any wood. They know. that the name OREGON meansconsist- ently high quality.in every MICRO-BIT chain in the long run, it’s the least expen- Sive saw chain. THE QUALITY TRADEMARK TO LOOK FOR ; OREGON MICRO-BIT for cutting timber ofall kinds OREGON for safer pulpwood MICRO-GUAR 0 Available at more than 2,700. dealers across Canada. OMARK INDUSTRIES | Cee sueten.ontario.ce UNION-MADE NEW! Ask your dealer tor 1 is OREGON another accessory for better cutt