ae

Sareareneeaabers:

[Around the
Slipways

By Charles Saunders

Sl *

REMEMBER listening to the arbitration proceedings be-

tween the IWA and BCPlywoods last September when the

mpany took exception to a question posed in a leaflet issued

the local to this effect: “Is it possible that some employers

ir organization of their employees more than they fear

tler?” It is not surprising that workers sometimes ask them--
ves such questions when they are the victims of such provo-

Aon as that which caused the recent stoppage of worl: in the

milton Bridge Company.

Signing of an open shop agreement with the Amalgamated
elders representing eight welders only recently put to work
the plant, when the Boilermakers already represented 90
reent of the men and was in the process of negotiating an
reement, can*‘only be regarded as an action of anti-labor
serests whose antagonism towards organized labor leads
sm to jeopardize production in the vital shipbuilding in-
siry. :

At a time when the nation is engaged in a life or death
tussle for its independence and the right to a future un-
ghted by fascism and when labor is doing all within its
wer to cooperate in the production of war materials such
tion taken by those who would take advantage of the pat-
itism of the workers to further their own narrow ends
ast be condemned by the nation.

Federal and provincial governments owe it to the nation
| a whole to speed the passing of legislation which will make
ch individuals answerable to the courts.

SHE rapid growth of the trade union movement in the last
- three years has brought thousands into the ranks of or-
nized labor, many of whom know little or nothing of the
ade union movement, its traditions and aspirations.

The responsibility for training the newly-organized thou-
nds, especially young men and women just entering in-
istry, falls on the shoulders of the older members, who in
eir experience gained over many years of struggle have
arned how to use the organized strength of the workers to
e right ends.

A well pianned and successful strike can help to consoli-
te a union and further organization. Hasty and ill-planned
tion leading to the loss of a strike can.wreck a union.

During this periodesf war when the whole future of hu-
anity, all of the freedoms won over long years of struggle,
e threatened by fascism, and when labor's right to organize
in the balance, it is not in labor’s interest to cause unneces-
ry stoppages in vital war industries. This is a period when
e strike weapon should not be used until all other means of
‘taining the just demands of the workers have been tried.

LL trade unionists in the city will welcome Harold Prit-
chett’s decision to rum for council in the civie elections.
arold’s years of experience in the trade union movement
ive well fitted him to serve the interests of labor on the city
uuneil, His fine record in organizing of thousands of loggers
id sawmill workers in British Columbia speaks for itself.
ow that it is imperative that labor’s voice should be heard in
yuncils where the war effort is shaped and directed, labor
ll be well served by electing’ a man of his unchallenged
tesrity and sincerity.

All trade unionists should turn out to vote for Harold
ritechett on December 9.

TUNE EN the Weekly Labor Newscast —

‘GREEN GOLD”

Station CJOR
600 Kilocycies
Every TUESDAY — 7:45 p.m.

with NIGEL MORGAN as Your Reporter
ie
Sponsored by the

International Woodworkers of America (CIO)

=a Ts SSS

SST?

Niner On
Island Win
Wage Boost

NANAIMO, B.C. — A new
agreement, it is expected, will

be drawn up following accept-'

ance of a War Labor Board
report granting increases of 10
to 12 per cent in the wage
scales of Nanaimo and Cumber-
land miners.

Earlier demands for a thirty per-
cent increase were refused, precipi-
tating fhe recent short-lived strike
action.

The new rates will provide ap-
proximately $6.49 per day, including
a cost of living bonus of 71 cents
a day, bringing wages paid in Van-
couver Island mines to the level of
those paid in the Crow's West.

In secret balloting at Nanaimo
and Cumberland only 41 votes were
cast against acceptance of the new
agreement, which will be signed by
officials of Vancouver Island locals
of District 18, United Mine Workers
of America, and the management of
the four mines in Nanaimo and
Cumberland. ‘

John Stokoluk, vice-president of
District 18, and Angus J. Morrison,
secretary-treasurer, attended meet-
ings for the miners last week-end
and outlined negotiations carried on
between labor officials at Ottawa
and union district officers.

Be Opened In City

“It's Yours — It’s Free!”

Youth Center Will
|

That is the slogan of the new Vancouver Youth Centre, the
large club rooms at 560 Granville street, which will officially be
| opened Friday, December 11, with an “open house.”

| Bstablished by the Labor Youth
Federation here, the centre is de-
Signed to provide recreation for
members of the armed forces and
for young workers industry.
Club rooms will be open every day
,and evening, and at all times an
‘army, airforce navy uniform
will be a ticket of admittance.

No effort is being spared, say
LYE officials, to provide facilities
for all interests, Ping-pong tables

are bing set up, facilities for letter-
writing are provided, and for quiet,
informal evenings a radio and a
library of good books will be avail-
able. Such special features as reg-
ular entertainments and dances for
men and women in uniform, and
“swing shift” dances for young war
workers are planned.

The Labor Youth Federation of
Canada, whose clubs in the Greater
Vancouver area are sponsoring the
center, was formed last spring. Now
it has young people’s clubs estab-
lished in many cities and an en-
thusiastic membership pledged to
live up to its motto, “Work, Serve,
Train and Fight for Freedom.”

Vancouver is the third city
Canad to boast a youth

in

or

in
center,

Transit Meet Urges
All-Night Car Service

Suggesting that it might be necessary to ask the government

to take over city transportation
existing, Harold J. Pritchett,

to break the bottleneck already
secretary of Vancouver Labor

Council and member of the Transit advisory committee to the

Wartime Prices and Trade Board, warned last week that unless
all organizations got together on the problem, there would be a
transportation crisis before Christmas.

Speaking at a meeting called by
the Housewives’ League to consider
transportation problems, Pritchett
advised delegates present to get
definite facts from a survey of
transit Services in the city, so that
if “the BCElectric stands in the

way of solying the problem, and if)

facts prove the profit motive is the
stumbling biock, then we can ask
government to take over.”

He suggested that some sort of
“priority” ticket for war workers
might become necessary and that
widespread staggering of store and
office hours might help solve the
problem.

introduced by Mrs. Effie Jones,
Housewives League, and adopted
by the meeting was a i0-point pro-
gram of proposals to help ease the
transportation shortage. The meet-
ing also agreed unanimously to ask
the transportation committee to ac-

cept a representative from the
Housewives’ League.
Introduction of more one-man

cars was vigorously condemned by
the meeting. If there was a short-
age of men, delegates maintained,
then women should be trained as
conductors.

Roundly denouncing the depart-
ment stores who, by their sale of-
fers do not cooperate with women
following out the suggestion to sop
“hefore four and after ten,’ Mrs.
Jones remarked that by commenc-
ing their sales of “bargains” at 9:30
they are enticing shoppers down-
town before 10 o’clock.

For the Season’s Fun...
DANCE at the

EMBASSY
1024 Davie
OLD TIME MODERN
Mon., Tues., Wed. Wed., Fri.

z=

e

“We still have to shop for bar-
gains these days, and by 10:30 all
the best bargains are. gone,” she
Said.

To assist in relieving congestion
; On Cars, it was suggested that more
front-end conductors should be em-
ployed and full use made of cars.

Despite the BCElectric’s denial
of the charge that cars are idle in
the barns during the day, members
of the Streetrailwaymen’s Union
Maintained that the BCHHlectric is
not making full use of its available
equipment.

Needs of war workers on swing
shifts were also taken into ac
count. Resolutions asked that a
skeleton system of cars be run
all night, now that taxis can no
longer be obtained, and that Sun-
day services be imcreased and
started earlier to allow war work-
ers to get on shift at early hours.

fRecommendations were also en-
dorsed asking that more cars should
be run on routes 17 and 19, that
Cambie street and New Westmin-
ster bus services should be restor-
ed to a full schedule, and a through
service given on the Main street
extension.

Fire —

PUG OC VRV COO V I EVV VIVE VT FT

TCC UCC CCC CC UUCCUC CC CUCU

A

a

TOM BINNIE

LARGE FARMS —

and

INSURANCE -— Auto
@

1574 Paecifie Highway
(2 Miles South of Pattullo Bridge) R.R. 4, New Westminster

others having already been set up
in Toronto and Montreal.

“We feel that uch a Labor Youth
Cetner is essential, and merits the
full cooperation and assistance of
the trade union movement as a
whole,” Miss Olga Walker, LYE
secretary here, told The People this
week.

“Through the center young in-
dustrial workers will be able to
meet and discuss common prob-
lems—particularly the problem of
increased production for an all-out
war effort.”

A huge “Open House” will mark
opening of the center, with a pro-
gram of music, dancing, refresh-
ments, and speeches of welcome by
prominent trade union leaders.

A central financial committee has
been set up in the city to coordin-
ate efforts of the branch commit
tees working in the drive through
which $600 must be raised for the
work.

Branch committees have been
formed in each of the four major
Vancouver shipyards to assist in
the campaign, and are Sponsoring
“popular girl’ contests among the
girl workers at the yards. The fi-
nancial committee is also concern-
ed with furnishing the center, and
as issued an appeal for chester
fields, chairs, lamps, pictures, fil-
ing cabinets, and other furnishings.

The center’s winter program lists
a number of ambitious undertal—

ings, including regular lecture
groups on such timely topics as
problems of production, trade

unionism, and the progress of the
war. -

“Byvery method of acquaintinge
young people with what the Youth
Center offers them is being util-
ized,” according to a member of
the financial committee. “Posters
have been put on display in union
halls and on shop notice boards.
A special bulletin describing centre
activities will also be circulated
from time to time, and we hope
to post signs in military barracks,
informing soldiers when Canteen
Nights are to be held.” ‘

Patrons of the financial campaign

include Mayor J. W. Cornett; D.
Q’Brien, general organizer, Cana-
dian Congress of Labor; Harold

Pritchett, secretary of Vancouver
Labor Council, CCL; C. A. Saunders,
president, Dock and Shipyard
Workers Union; © HE. Leary, prsi-
dent, Vancouver Labor Council,
CCL; R. K. Gervin, business agent,
Street Railwaymen’s Union; Chuck
Whent, president, Aeronautical
Lodge No. 756; Wm. Burgess, sec-
retary, United Fishermen’s Union;
Bob Stewart, business agent, Ship-
wrights, Caulkers and Joiners,
Amalgamated Building Workers;
Chris Pritchard, secretary, Trades
and Labor Council.

Se

4

FOR SALE

New Hampshire Pullets
and Baby Chicks

JOHN BOWLES
| Phone 51-M Cloverdale, B.C.
‘= =

SESOSOOOOOOE

:

SMALL FARMS