THE WESTERN CANADIAN VOL. XXIX, No. 9 Incorporating Phe GE, Lemberworker Official Publication of the Jateraattonal Woodworkers of r¥mertea Regional Council No. 1 VANCOUVER, B.C. 5e PER COPY «208 2nd Issue May, 1962 CAMILLE MATHER, CCF-NDP-MLA for Delta is seen here during the giant meeting held for T. C. (Tommy) Douglas in New Westminster, displaying poster of her husband Barry who is the NDP federal candidate in New Westminster. Policy Committee States Reasons For Settlement The recommendations of the IWA Policy Committee for accept- ance of the Perry settlement in the coast lumber industry dispute was immediately attacked by members of the Committee who announced their intention to campaign for its rejection during the membership referendum. Acting on-behalf of the Policy Committee, the Regional Officers immediately acted to inform the Union’s members of all the facts requiring consideration before committing the Union to a course leading to strike action. The point at issue was whether re-negotiation of a. better settle- ment would be possible before a government-supervised strike vote. The fact that conciliation and mediation procedures had been ex- hausted left ‘the Union only the alternative of seeking approval for strike action, they pointed out. The position of the Union, as stated by the Policy Committee, is set forth in the following statements. In a report directed to members of the Union on television Regional President, Jack Moore, said: “As members of the IWA we are about to make an important decision at the Union’s ballot box. The question before us is— ‘Shall we accept or reject the settlement proposed by Commissioner Perry in our dispute with the coast lumber operators?’ 1 wish my fellow-members in the Union to understand clearly just why their Policy Committee has recommended that the pro- posed settlement be accepted. There are differences of opinion. All I ask is that every member should carefully consider the conse- quences of any decision made. I can assure you that the will of the members, as expressed by their votes, will be carried out. Your Policy Committee took a careful look at the terms of settle- ment proposed by Commissioner Perry. We had to, as you will have to, because they spell substantial benefits for all the workers in the lumber industry. See “ACCEPTANCE” page 2 Westply Recruits Scabs In Edmonton Strike IWA strikers at the plant of Western Plywood (Alta) Ltd., Ed- monton, in face of vicious strike- breaking tactics on the part of the management, are holding firm on their picket lines, The IWA members on strike have had their Unemployment Insurance books returned under threat that their employment with the company is terminated because they did not return to work on a specified date. The Company has recruited a large number of scabs im an attempt to operate the plant. Local 1-207 IWA is proceeding with prosecution of the employer for unfair labour practices. WHAT'S INSIDE LISTEN TO——_——_ 4] Green Gold —CJ0 Labour Rallies Vote For New Party Trade unionists everywhere in B.C. are working something like a political miracle. Despite Bill 42, they have organized an army of workers for the New Democratic Party. They. have applied themselves with energy to the task of rallying a huge working-class vote on June 18. With their understanding of down- ‘to-earth organization, they have easily mastered the techniques of poll organization. A poll averages 300 voters. The plan of poll or- ganization is simple. Volunteer workers in their own polls work among their friends and neighbours to muster and record the maximum support. Working with this knowledge on election day they may then assist every sympathizer to reach the polls and vote, A thorough and systematic effort to canvass the poll prior to polling day coupled with a thorough and systematic. effort to get out every single vote on polling day is the winning technique. Trade unionists recognize that they have an important stake in this election. On the one hand their objectives are championed by the type of party which they have long demanded. The New Democratic Party, in its structure and policy, is free from employer domination. Its policies are labour’s policies. On the other hand, if labour fails to demonstrate its political strength in this election, it may expect anti- labour legislation of a still more vicious type. These are the New Democratic Party candidates in B.C. that are given trade union endorsation in this election. ERHART REGIER, Burnaby-Coquitlam. BOB PRITTIE, Burnaby-Richmond. KEN RUTHERFORD, Cariboo. See “VOTE” page 4 7:00 p.m. : Thursday A wage increase of sixteen cents an hour, spread over two years was recommended by Industrial Inquiry Commissioner, G. Neil Perry, Ph.D. in his report to the Minister of Labour, May 30. Commissioner Perry stated that in the inquiry which commenced April 27th, he had not been able to effect a settlement between the IWA and the coast lumber operators. He, therefore, on his own responsibility proposed a settlement “package” of nine points, in- cluding items of benefit to the Union, and others which had origin- ated with the employers. . The report was immediately considered at length by the Regional Policy Committee, with the representatives of all Local Unions in attendance. The decision was reached to recommend acceptance, and ballots for a membership referendum were promptly issued, returnable June 16. The questions placed before the membership were: “Are you in favor of accepting the settlement proposed by Dr. G. Neil Perry of the 1962 Coast Industry Negotiations?” “Failing a satisfactory settlement, do you authorize the Policy Committee to call a strike?” The full text of the report made by Commissioner Perry follows: Vancouver, B.C., May 30, 1962. The Honourable L. R. Peterson, Q.C., Minister of Labour, Victoria, B.C. - Dear Mr. Minister RE: Industrial Inquiry Commission appointed pursuant to Section 44 of the Labour Relations Act to inquire into the dispute between certain Locals of District Council Number One International Woodworkers of America and certain Employers. represented by Forest Industrial Relations. As directed by you, since April 27th, 1962, I have held a series of discussions with the two parties concerning the matters in dis- pute between them. I am writing now to advise, regretfully, that it has not been possible to effect a settlement. In accordance with the requirements of Section 44, Sub-section 4, of the Labour Relations Act, I am, therefore, submitting my recommendations: — RECOMMENDATIONS { That the Master Agreement, 1961, as amended, be extended for a two-year period from the 15th day of June, 1962. 2 That an increase of 8 cents per hour across the board be made effective from and after the 15th day of June, 1962, and an additional increase of 8 cents per hour across the board be made effective from and after the 15th day of June 1963. 3(a) That Article X be amended to provide for an additional week’s vacation for employees with 20 or more years’ con- tinuous service with pay or pay in lieu thereof, based on two percent (2%) of the total wages or salary earned by the em- ployee during the working year. (b) That the two parties study the practicability of introducing the practice of allowing one additional day’s vacation for each year of continuous service beyond the fifteenth year; so that, starting with the sixteenth year and continuing up to the nine- teenth year of continuous service, the employee would be en- titled to receive an additional day’s vacation for each year served beyond the fifteenth year. 4 That Article XVI, Section 1, be amended to read as follows:— (a) The Company will recognize the principle of seniority, com- petency considered. In the application of seniority it shall be first by department and second by plant seniority. (b) The selection and promotion of supervisory officials shall be entirely a matter for the companies’ decision; but in making the selection, length of continuous service shall be given due consideration. 5 That the procedure presently followed in the assessment and collection of back dues under Article III, Section 6, be revised as follows: that a copy of the communications furnished by the Local Union to the Company setting forth the amount of back dues of new employees shall also be furnished to the employee and the Plant Committee. 6 That Article V, Section 9, be amended to provide for a single rest period of ten minutes and a lunch period of not less than thirty minutes in shifts of less than six hours and forty-five minutes. 7 That Article XVI, Section 4, be amended to provide that job posting shall not be required in the case of temporary replace- ments necessitated by employees taking vacations. 8 That attendance at Safety Committee meetings held outside working hours shall be recompensed at a standard rate of $2.00. 9 That the medical care coverage presently arranged between the Parties by a separate document be written into the Master Agreement; and that eligibility, portability, lay-off coverage and administration be identical to those provisions presently contained in the Forest Industry Health and Welfare Plan; and that the premium payments shall be borne equally on the overall experience rating of each Company. Respectfully submitted, (signed) G. Neil Perry, Commissioner. ist and 3rd 2nd and 4th Thursday CKC Sunday of 6:00 p.m. each month : CKP