if) THE WESTERN CAN wery \ N ADIAN Incorporating Fhe S.C. Lamberworker Official Publication of the Jelezaational Woodworkers of Abmertea Regional Council No. 1 VOL. XXVIII, No. 16 = VANCOUVER, B.C. sc PER COPY 2nd Issue August, 1961 4, TORONTO AIGREENWOOD Bou: BRITISH LABOUR PARTY LEADER Hugh Gaitskell is greeted at Founding Convention by CLC Executive Vice-Pres. Stanley Knowles who officially opened convention as chairman of National Committee for the New Party. CLC Exec. Vice-Pres. Wm. Dodge is at Knowles’ right, and in right corner of picture is New Democratic Party President-elect Michael Oliver. -/ ternational ' Fire-Fighters | To Receive Wage Hike A Memorandum of Agree- ment has been signed by Forest Industrial Relations Limited and the Officers of IWA Regional Council No. 1, acting for the Coast Local Unions, which provides for a basic rate of $2.13 per hour for all employees en- gaged in fire fighting on company property. The Memorandum was concluded following a series of meetings be- tween the two parties and the basic rate negotiated represents an increase of twenty-one cents per hour for loggers over the original rate offered by the companies. The increase is retroactive to the start of the 1961 See “INCREASE” Page 3 ICFTU Backs West Stand On Berlin The ICFTU has called on demo- cratic governments to resist Com- munist pressures against the free- dom of Berlin. Omer Becu, general secretary of the 56 million-member free trade union federation, urged the west- ern powers to be firm in their de- termination to preserve the free- dom of the people of West Berlin and their democratic institutions. “We protest vigorously against the latest efforts of the Communist authorities to isolate West Berlin and against their heartless attempts to stop the ever-increas- ing flow of refugees from the Soviet Union Zone of Germany to the West,” the ICFTU said in a to the governments of oo Franee, Germany and the WHAT'S INSIDE . PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE LABOUR DAY — 1961 by Regional President Joe Morris Leos DAY is much more than an ordinary holiday. A Canadian statute, originally obtained by labour, sets the day aside that all citizens may publicly recognize the im- portant role of labour in the national life. In relaxation from daily toil, workers remind themselves of the deeper signifi- cance which has made the day their day. We have largely abandoned public demonstrations of labour’s strength, that Labour Day might be a family day. Nevertheless, it recalls to mind the struggles which have en- riched out lives, and made each succeeding Labour Day a better day. We pause in grateful appreciation of labour’s victories. We pay respectful tribute to the vision, courage and sacrifices of trade union pioneers who laid the foundations for today’s freedoms. As long as Labour Day is observed, they will not be forgotten. In our ranks are men and women from other lands who, through the years, have sought in Canada the richer fulfill- ment of their hopes. Their loyalty to labour’s interests binds us all more closely to fellow-workers in their homelands. Once again we declare our solidarity with workers through- out the free world. We re-dedicate ourselves to labour’s cause, in Canada, and in all the free nations. A? the beneficiary of past struggles organized labour today assumes heavy responsibilities. Rights won must be de- fended ‘with vigilance. Complacency invites betrayal of our trust. We are entering upon the second industrial revolution, presenting problems as challenging as those of the nineteenth century. The march of events demands that we face the future With new vision, new vigour, and a fresh outlook. Our basic objectives remain the same. The fundamental principles of trade unionism are enduring, but we must adapt our approach, and techniques of organization to changing cir- cumstances. We live in an era of crisis, with new threats and pressures overhanging the ranks of labour. Our movement must prepare to meet the challenge of tomorrow. Changes in our economic environment which will revolu- tionize the lives of our people are now becoming apparent. It is a time of accelerating technological change, of rapi innovation, of radical improvements in labour-saving devices. Many of labour’s skills are rendered obsolescent, and new See “LABOUR DAY” Page 6 Cuban Labour Unions Abolished By Castro style unions, controlled by the Gov- Castro’s Government in Cuba took over the labour movement ernment. resolutions from Local Unions, The International Officers will be in attendance as well as representa- tives from other Regions in the In- Union. Invitations ex- tended to representatives of the Can- adian Labour Congress and affiliated unions have been accepted. Hon. Les- be heard. Woodworkers’ House, 2859 Com- mercial Drive, Vancouver, will be the scene of intense activity as convention committees and delegates tackle an imposing array of resolutions, con- stitutional problems and administra- tive plans. The special significance of the con- vention lies in the obvious necessity of planning to meet a changing in- dustrial pattern. Organizational and educational techniques will be under review with new requirements in view. As might be expected negotiations will be under discussion, although the actual policies in this regard will be determined at a subsequent Wages and Contract Conference in 1962. The | general sentiment appears to favour attention to future demands rather See “VITAL TASK” Page 3 IWA Annual Meet Faces Vital Task September sixth will mark the opening of one of the most significant annual conventions of the IWA in Region 1. All in- dications point to a large and representative gathering with full quotas of delegates from Local Unions in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan. The agenda, largely determined by the numerous promises interesting and lively discussions in the IWA tradition. lie Peterson, Minister of Labour, will See Pages 4-5 Unemployment Highest In B.C. Mid-July report of the Dom- inion Bureau of statistics indi- cated that unemployment in Brit- ish Columbia is higher than the national average. The slight im- provement reported, due to an in- crease in construction employ- ment, left 40,000 workers still un- employed, or 6.6 per cent of the working force. The national aver- age percentage of unemployed in .the working force was 5.2 per cent. ; The British Columbia rate of 6.6 per cent in July compared with the rate of 7.5 per cent in June and 7.5 per cent a year ago. The average rate for 1960 was 7 per cent, and econo- mists predict that a higher average will be struck this year. ' On the national scene unemploy- ment eased down to 354,000 from 370,000 in June. This figure was 24,000 higher than the July 1960 figure. July set the highest record for the month in post-war years. New Democratic Convention Preliminary copies of the proposed new constitution for the provincial section as well as a draft proposed program for British Columbia will be placed in circulation this month. This will provide delegates with the oppor- tunity to examine and discuss all such proposals in preparation for conven- tion decisions. Arrangements for the convention are in the hands of a joint B.C. Federation of Labour-CCF (Pro- vincial Section) Committee. Trade union representation on this com- mittee includes IWA Regional Presi- dent Joe Morris and Secretary Pat O’Neal of the B.C. Federation of Labour. Local Unions Eligible Local unions, branches or lodges which have made a con- tribution of at least ten cents per member to the work of the National Committee for the New Democratic Party or have affili- Locals To Share In Political Planning Call issued for a three-day founding convention of the New Democratic Party, B.C. Section, fixes the opening date as Friday, October 27th, at 9:30 p.m. It will be held in the Canadian Legion Building, 2655 Main St., Vancouver, immediately following the Annual Convention of the B.C. Federation of Labour. Party are entitled to representa- tion. Delegates will also be seated from New Democratic Party Clubs formally recognized prior to October 16, CCF Constituency Associations and Clubs in good standing, and Labour Councils affiliated to the B.C. Federation of Labour. Balanced Representation In an effort to secure balanced representation, the Convention Com- mittee has decided that affiliating trade union Locals or branches shall be enabled to seat two delegates for the first 100 members or any portion thereof, and one additional delegate for each one hundred members. CF representation provides for one delegate for the first 25 members or any portion thereof and an addi- tional delegate for each 25 members or major fraction thereof. IWA representation is a matter to be determined by IWA Local Unions. It is anticipated that a com- of Cuba by decree on August 2, it is reliably reported. This move conforms with his announced in- tention to establish Government based on the Communist pattern in his country. State control of trade unions has always been a characteristic of Communist dic- tatorships, The change abolishes all existing unions, replaces them with Soviet- There is to be one labour union in each factory, and one labour organiza- tion for each industry. The legality of unions will be determined by the Minister of Labour, the decree said, “without necessity of prior approval or conformity of employers”. This step will, it is presumed, ex- clude the State-controlled unions from the ICFTU, as in the case of unions in the Soviet and Soviet satellite nations. : ated with the New Democratic See “PLANNING” Page 3 British Union Leaders Reject Wage Freeze Leaders of 28 British unions representing 340,000 government indus- trial workers rejected the government’s order for a wage freeze. The move followed by a day the refusal of British civil service unions to accept the government’s decision to freeze the wages of 1.3 million government employees. LISTEN TO Green Gold—CJ0 7:00 p.m. tusay 5 OKPG - Ist and Last Thursday 6:00 p.m.