10 IWA The general 48-hour work stoppage threatened by or- ganized labour in B.C. last November to back up the Oil Workers’ demand for job protection, was undoubtedly the major highlight of 1965. The IWA as the largest and most militant union in the Province played a major role in forcing the settlement that saw a breakthrough in the battle for more job security in the age of automation. JOB PROTECTION The threatened walkout by organized labour was precip- itated by the oil companies attempt to crush the Oil Workers’ Union which was fighting a “life and death” battle to secure job protection for its members. The Union in its wisdom had decided to strike only the giant B-A Oil Company in an effort to set an industry- wide pattern. However, the protracted negotiations with B-A ve every indication that powerful oil com- panies were in league to ae the Oil Workers’ Un- This forced the oil workers to imonygered a oma strike against petroleum in- dustry for November 15. Because a number of com- THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER organized labour was to give its complete support to the oil workers, the affiliates would have to act in concert and this was impossible be- cause of the strike deadline. The Federation induced the Oil Workers’ Union to post- pone its general strike until November 24. This enabled the announcement that at 11:59 p.m. November 24, with- out a settlement of the Oil Workers’ strike, all unionists would be asked to quit work for forty-eight hours and take a four-day holiday weekend. The momentous decision was made soberly with full awareness of all the risks in- volved. The unions accepted responsibility for the decision quietly, as they exposed them- selves to the wrath of the pro- vincial government and the employers, as well as the pos- sibility of ruinous litigation. The decision of the IWA, largest affiliate of the Federa- tion, was typical, Every B.C. IWA Local Union pledged support in answering the cal] of Regional President Jack Moore, also 1st Vice-Presi- dent of the Federation. COURAGEOUS STEP It was a courageous step, tor the Union was moving into industry-wide negotia- tions. At stake was its $3,000,- 000 strike fund, and the em- ployers had served notice that if the contract was breached, the Union would be prosecut- ed under the labour laws. The press, radio and TV were having a field day, la- belling the p' walkout general strike, and re- vived memories of previous - general strikes to scare the population. It was not easy for labour to hold the line. The radio “hot lines” kept public opin- ion in a state of ferment. Some confusion was inevitable, and a few small unions crumbled under the pressure. FRANTIC EFFORTS The labour department of- ficials made frantic efforts to bring the disputing parties back to the bargaining table but the oil companies stub- bornly resisted all attempts at conciliation. As the Federation’s Execu- tive Council sat through the night of November 29, an al- most complete work stoppage in primary and manufacturing industries as well as in trans- portation and communications appeared certain. Labour was evincing al- most complete solidarity. The Teamsters had refused to support an illegal work stop- page, but indicated they would respect picket lines and refuse to haul scab oil and gasoline. The next morning, Novem- ber 24, Premier Bennett sum- moned labour leaders, oil company executives, and the press to a conference. He de- manded immediate acceptance of a settlement formula pre- sented by Labour Minister Peterson. 3 The Oil Workers’ Union ac- ~ cepted the formula immed- iately and a few hours later the oil companies capitulated. The Federation then cancel- led the work stoppage call. ‘B.C. FEDERATION OF LABOUR delegates are seen here marching to the Head Office of the British-American Oil Company in support of the striking Oil Workers’ Union | which was in a life-and-death struggle with the powerful oil companies. ee, “UNITED WE STAND™ The settlement formula re- quired: (a) Six months’ advance no- tice of technological change involving the dis- placement of any work- ers. (b) Severance pay of one week for every year of service, up to 26 weeks, for those displaced. Continuous review of problems relating to automation by a joint union-management com- mittee permitting final- ization of adjustments by mutual agreement be- tween broad negotia- tions. + (d) Participation by manage- ment in training and re- training of employees where required, (e) A wage increase of 35c an hour over two years, with other fringe benefits, Regional President Jack Moore stated after the work stoppage threat was over that: “The aftermath of the mem- orable nine days now requires careful appraisal by organiz- ed labour. It is safe to say that use of the general strike weapon will never be reck- lessly proposed in the foresee- able future. The union’s ef- fort to avoid use of the term ‘general strike’ in this in- stance was defeated by pub- lic insistence that in fact it was such with danger of con- tinuation beyond the 48-hour limit. Moreover, it was found that, any approach to a gen- eral work stoppage requires intensive organization and rigorous discipline to avoid an open showdown with civil authorities, for which unions are ill-prepared, 2nd Issue September, 1966 “Restrictive labour laws and corporation arrogance had provoked widespread labour unrest, which in turn created a climate exceptionally fav- ourable for a mass protest. Corporations which had ac- cepted union bargaining in some areas were obviously determined to ‘contain’ union: activity in other areas. Unions regarded themselves as vic- tims of a slow strangulation by the organized employers on both the economic and political fronts. Petty tyranny. on the job such as the ‘speed- up’, or the ‘double-up’, had already provoked wildcat job action at many points. JOBS WIPED OUT “These comparatively harmless outbreaks were sternly dealt with by employ- ing companies. The entire B.C. work force was permeat- ed with uneasiness about the results of revolutionary changes in production meth- ods, unilaterally imposed by employers and causing ex- tensive displacements. Many said, ‘What’s the value of a better contract if our jobs are wiped out?’ “One reservation must be made in any prediction as to labour’s future course of ac- tion in British Columbia. If the employers succeed in per- suading the provincial govern- ment to enact still more re- strictive labour _ legislation, they will invite an industrial upheaval. It is now certain that B.C. labour can meet any such challenge with a re-in- vigorated spirit.” ead aot .