2 WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER Continued from page I Officers Report tributing to greater individual productiveness have, to some ex- tent, created a tight job situation at this time. The logging section of the industry was the hardest hit by changes caused by the introduction of new equipment, radical changes in the techniques of the industry and increased machine mobility. The whole pattern of logging has been revolutionized. This has resulted in a complete change in the logging crews as we have known them in the past, and has created a large pool of re- dundant workers. However, in spite of the cutback in crews, reduction of job potential and the long layoff period that took place over the past year, we have carried on considerable organizational work. Since the turn of the year there have been approximately 50 new operations organized into our union in western Canada, almost all of them in B.C. These 50 operations cover approximately 1500 workers and have helped to offset in some measure the reduction of the membership through layoffs and other causes. Of the new operations organized roughly 40% of them were organized in the Coast area and 60% in the Interior, and 3 operations were organized in the province of Alberta. We feel that the results obtained through the organizational program have amply justified the amount of money ex- pended in this field, because only through the continuing development of one organizational program can we maintain the strength of the organiza- ion. We are happy to note that among the certifications gained this year was the reorganization of the Nicola Valley Sawmill at Merritt, an operation that had been lost to this Union through the process of decertification in 1952. The Local Union Business Agent, with the assistance of Regional representatives and the Regional officers, was able to reorganize the workers in this operation and we have recently concluded a contract with this company. Other significant organizational gains were: Blue River Sawmills, Avola Sawmills and Kicking Horse Products. These are all key operations in the Merritt, North Thompson and Big Bend area, and will form the cor- nerstone for what will be the eventual complete organization of these areas. While we did not mention other points specifically we note, with gratification that other Local Unions throughout the area of the Regional Council have been working steadily to extend their organization wherever possible during the past year; and their efforts have resulted in a high degree of organization of workers in the lumber industry. The officers of the Regional Council take this opportunity to welcome the newest Local Union to be chartered by the Council: Local 1-288. Dis- cussions have been going on with the officers of this Local Union, which was formerly a chartered Local Union of the Canadian Labour Congress, over a period of years. The first contact was in 1948. However, these talks proved fruitless and were discontinued. Approximately 12 months ago the discussions were re-initiated and several meetings were held between the officers of the Lumber Inspectors’ Union and the IWA Regional Council. This culminated in the submission of a ballot to the membership of the Lumber Inspectors’ Union, and the Regional Director and Brother Radford of the CLC staff addressed several area meetings and discussed with the members at these meetings the proposal to affiliate with the IWA. The ballot was overwhelmingly in favour of the affiliation. The affilia- tion was effected and the Lumber Inspectors’ Local Union has now officially been chartered as Local 1-288 of the International Woodworkers of America. We take this opportunity, through the medium of the Officers’ Report, to welcome the officers and members of the new Local Union into member- ship in the IWA. With the inclusion of the new Local Union of Lumber Inspectors into the organization we can now truly say that we represent everyone who works in the manufacture of lumber products, from the stump to the fin- ished product. f= -3) REGIONAL Ist VICE-PRESIDENT JACK MOORE NEGOTIATIONS We are dealing with Interior negotiations first because, at the time of the last Regional convention we were involved in negotiations for a contract for the membership of the 4 Interior Local Unions where we were negotiating in the south for Locals 1-405, 1-417 and 1-423 with the Interior Lumber Manufacturers’ Association and we were carrying concurrent nee with the Northern Lumber Manufacturers’ Association for ocal 1-424, When we opened negotiations at the beginning of June the industry looked to be in a fair position; however, as the talks progressed the situa- tion got progressively worse and as we went before the Conciliation Board we were faced with a serious recession in the industry. Prices were down, with no indication that they were going to recover. When we got the report of the Conciliation Board we were faced with a very serious decision: the question of whether we should take a strike vote or attempt to reach a settlement by negotiation. After considerable discussion amongst the Policy Committee members and after hearing the reports of the Local Union representatives, it was decided that we should try to reach a settlement by negotiation. Subsequently the Regional officers, with representatives of the Local Unions, initiated discussions with the Interior Lumber Manufac- turers’ Association and we effectuated a settlement which was referred to the membership for approval. The settlement, which covered a 2-year per- iod, included: Wage increases of 10c, spread as follows: 3c September 1st 1960, 3c March 1st 1961 and 4c September Ist 1961, as well as other con- tract improvements, travel time, etc. DUNCAN BUSINESS GUIDE LOUTET AGENCIES LTD. 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