Continued From Page One Six Board Members Resign 48 hours to disassociate them- selves or stand suspended from the union. Shipyard managements were in- formed by shop stewards that only the new officers would be recognized as acting for the union. On Monday, Chief Justice Far- ris of the British Columbia Su- preme Gourt granted Robert Stephen, former union secret- ary, an injunction restraining the new executive officers from carrying on the union’s affairs. The new executive was given the right to apply for discharge of the injunction on 24 hours’ notice. Boilermakers’ shop stewards in each of the four city shipyards elected committees to take charge of union affairs. (See page 6.) GGL Secretary Pat Conroy in- formed Secretary Harold Prit- chett of Vancouver Labor Coun- cil and E. E. Leary, business agent for the Dock and Ship- yard Workers Union, that the Gongress was contemplating ac- tion to suspend these organiza- tions for claimed violation of the constitution, and stated that enarges would be considered by the national executive council at its meeting this weelend. GCL Vice-President A. A. Mc- Auslane announced he would attend the national executive council meeting and there charge the B.C. District Coun- cil of the International Wood- workers of America with inter- ference in the affairs of the Boilermakers Union. Gonroy -revealed that charges against Vancouver Labor Coun- cil, Dock and Shipyard Workers Union and International Wood- workers were based on the re- ported attendance at the in- stallation of the new Boiler- makers’ officers of officials of these affiliated CCl bodies. (E. B. Leary, business agent for the Dock and Shipyard Workers Union and president of Van- couver Labor Council, denied that he attended the ceremony- Harold Pritchett and Nigel Morgan, IWA international board member, both stated they attended only as witnesses.) With six of the 20 members appointed to his board of ad-| ministration, of which 2B} O'Brien, GCL general organizer, is chairman, having resigned, McAuslane announced that its membership had been increased to 50, Six members who resigned were: W. Griffin, A. Little, W- Shearer, Joe Winship, Ken Ken- nedy, and Angus Fiarley, who stated: “I am quite willing to continue to serve on behalf of the men as a business agent, Text @f Boilermakers’ Executive Statement MeAuslane Charged By Union Following is the text of the statement submitted this week to President A. R. Mosher by Presi- dent William Stewart and Secret- ary Malcolm MacLeod on behalf of the new executives of the Boiler- makers’ Union: "We the duly elected president and secretary of the Boilermakers’ and Iron Shipbuilders’ Union of Ganada, Local No. 1, beg to submit the following statement on behaif of the recently-elected executive committee as we feel that you have been grossly misinformed as to the true situation prevailing within the organization. “Tn the recently-conducted elec- tions the successful candidates, without exception, gained substan- tial majorities. The elections were conducted strictly in conformity with the constitution of the Can- adian Congress of Labor and the referendum sanctioned by Pat Conroy, secretary-treasurer of the Congress. “We might add that the elec- tion was conducted by the qld executive committee, and not by us. “On Dec. 30, 1942, the daily press of Vancouver carried a despatch under an Ottawa dateline, stating that Vice-President A. McAuslane had been appointed administrator of our union for a period of one year, and that he was given pow- er to. set up a board to assist him. “This statement came like a bolt from the blue as far as we were concerned, as we had no intimation that any such action was contem- plated, or that there was anything questionable in the election or in any of the events prior to the elec- tion. “Since the first statement was issued jmothing has been added that could in any way justify, the action taken. We have held meetings of the newly-elected executive committee and* none of them had been contacted or spoken to prior to the order be- ing handed down by yourself. “So when you state that your action was based on an investi- gation of the situation we can not agree with you on that point. ‘Tndoubtedly you are aware that your action which we be- lieve, as previously stated, was based on misinformation, has ereated widespread resentment on the part of the membership, and in order to avoid mass with- drawals from the union, we, the elected executive, felt it was our duty to immediately take over the affairs of the union. “Accordingly we were installed in office on Jan. 1, 1943, by Jack Wwil- son, business agent of the Burners and Welders’ section of the union, and an old-time member of the Boilermakers, The installation cere— money took place in the presence of President E. B. Leary [Leary has since stated that he did not attend the installation ceremony] and ‘Executive Secretary H. J. Pritchett of the Vancouver Labor Gouncil and Executive Member Nigel Morgan of the Canadian Congress of Labor. “Qn Jan. 2, 1943,. we immediately assumed our duties, and took over a section of the Boilermakers’ offices, and intend to carry on the lawful business of our organiza- tion. This action has since been endorsed by the shop stewards at specially-called meetings on Sun- day, Jan. 3, where all shifts in all the shipyards were represented. “We might also point out that six of the eight business agents are carrying on their duties under the guidance and direction of the new executive as they, together with the membership, look upon the so - called “sdministrative board” as an insult. “The personnel of the “board”’ is made up of the defeated can- didates in the election and others who have been repudiated by the membership in previous elections, and still others who had been previously discharged as paid representatives of the union. “We charge that vice-president A. MecAuslane deliberately and with malicious forethought did endeavor to split the Boilermakers’ and Iron Shipbuilders’ Union of Canada, Lo- eal No. 1, with the object in view that once the fact was established it would justify interference on the part of the top officials of the Canadian Congress of Labor. “We make this charge knowing full well its seriousness and re- quest that yourself or Secretary- Treasurer P. Conroy come to Van- couver to personally investigate the charge in the interests of the Canadian Congress of Labor. “We might add that the mass of the membership are standing sol- idly behind this executive commit- tee and do not recognize any arbi- trarily appointed ‘administration board.’ “Statements have been made by Vice-President McAuslane that the membership has been falling off, and your action now is certainly not doing this any good. “But we are thoroughly convinced that with the announcement of a definite program to include the consolidation of the closed shop conditions now enjoyed in the major yards and the further de- velopment of this throughout the locality, the membership interest will grow with a new vitality. “The GCongress policy, unfortun- ately, has not been carried out to the best advantage under the old administration, and a number of open shop contracts have been signed in some of the smaller shops in this district. In the Hamilton Bridge plant, a splendid opportun- ity for an agreement to cover the enttire plant was thrown away- “The many problems such as transportation, greater safety mea- sures, industrial hygiene, housing, ete., still only half attended to, sweeps away any attempt by Vice- President McAuslane to say the union is torn by factions, which he himself is manufacturing. “The real trouble is that there exists mass disappointment in the leadership that has been given in the past. “The fact that many important union decisions, passed several times over, were disregarded by the executive—for example, the passer-boys were overwhelmingly yoted full membership privileges at least three times—similarly with the women workers. Time and time again elections of offi- cers and delegates were ruled out and disallowed. “The first principle in our obli- gations to the membership and to the Gongress is to at once restore in every way democratic procedure, bring the several sub-local execu- tives, shop stewards, and various committees, and through them the entire membership, in closer con- tact with the local executive. “We are absolutely convinced that this will build a greater union spirit we know exists in the hearts of our membership. “The Congress policy in regard to working cooperation with other Gongress locals (even in the same yards), also in regard to coopera- tion in the Vancouver Labor Coun- cil and in connection with the build- ing of labor management produc- tion committees has been grossly and criminally neglected by the past executive. “Aj of this work is paramount to the building and eonsolidating of the trade union movement, and especially in its foremost job today, that of taking its rightful place, and aceepting its proper responsibility in our war effort. The new execu- tive committee pledges itself to work unceasingly to build the union around these things, of which only a few are indicated here. ‘We accept and expect the lead- ership of the Congress as guided by the constitution which binds us all. “Fraternally yours, ‘WILLIAM STEWART, “President. “MALCOLM McLEOD, “Secretary.” but I refuse to act on, or be a party to this administration. Further, I may state that I was never consulted in the mat- ter of my appointment.” Executive officers and shop stewards representing the four CCL unions in the shipyards, Boilermakers, Blacksmiths, Op- erating Emgineers and Dock and Shipyard Workers, at a meeting on Wednesday affirmed their support of the stand taken by the Boilermakers’ new execu- tive and adopted a resolution protesting the national execu- tive’s decision. (See page 6.) The meeting was addressed by President William Stewart and Secretary Malcolm Maciheod, Boilermakers, E. E. Leary and President Charles Saunders, Dock and Shipyard Workers, William Betts, Blacksmiths, and President W. Ross, Operating Engineers, who told the meet- ing that his union had recently elected a new slate of officers and that an executive member had been approached by McAus- lane, who asked “if there is any political influence in the union.” McAuslane, according to Ross, stated that if there were, the Congress would take over the union. A committee was named to reconvene the meeting should the decision of the CCL national executive council prove contrary to the wishes of the member- ship. Steward Officials Elected An executive of five me f J. Lucas, T. McKenzie, J. Ci | g ham, GC. Stewart and Aust & lany, has been elected to c- 3 business for the Boilermaker | ae: stewards. S Stewards elected in the are: rt Burrard South: T. McKer # Stehelin, J. Cunningham, L. * J. W. Williams and S. Mc North Van Ship Repairs: — Delaney, H. Archibald, BE. low, W. Griffin, F. Crosby. # Burrard North: W. Swa:) Stewart, H. Carrey, W. G) Lee, A. Hill. West Coast: J. Bell, J. Ty J. Lueas, CG. Perkins, D. Janz M. Bowles. ' Boilershops: J. Winship, £E ham, E. Kemp, R. MckKenz J. J. Boner. Hamilton Bridge: E. Bar & Braten, F. Duncan, J. Pow fs MeDonald and N. McRae. i Text Of Joint Resolution Restoration Democracy “This conference of 16 local ex- ecutive officers of the SBoiler- makers’, Blacksmiths’, Operating Engineers’ and Dock and Shipyard Workers’ unions and 110 shop affiliates having memberships in the Vancouver shipyards, mindful of the vital importance of ship- building to Canada’s war effort and the United Nations’ ultimate victory over fascism, has fully considered the graye situation created following the recent elec- tion in the Boilermakers’ and Iron Shipbuilders’ Union, Local No. 1, CCL, by the action of the executive officers of the Canadian Congress of Labor in refusing to recognize the newly-elected officers of that union, authorizing the appointment of a board of administration com- posed in the main of persons no longer having the confidence of the membership, and threatening the suspension of the Dock and Shipyard Workers’ Union, Local Wo. 2, the Vancouver Labor Coun- cil, GCL, and the International Woodworkers of America. “~2—If the constitution of the Canadian Congress of Labor was violated by the manner in which the elections were eonducted, the officers of the Canadian Congress of Labor were duty bound to have filed charges against the old execu- tive in compliance with Ar- ticle 3, Section 9, a, b, ¢, d, or instituted proceedings un- der Article 6, Section 8, and to have reprimanded their vice-president, A. A. McAus- lane, for having appointed to the board of administration certain of the outgoing offi- cers who had so violated the constitution. Further, the re- sponsibility for haying au- thorized a referendum ballot, obviously the only practical means of obtaining a repre- stewards of-all Canadian Congress |) © Uniot Ursed | the Boilermakers’ anc Shipbuilders’ Union, Loi 1, CCL, did by a secret over a period of three - utive days, twenty-four a day by a majority oj voting, elect such offie the ensuing year. “@—We deplore the fact tl officers of the Canadia gress of Labor did nt duct an investigation ii affairs of the MBoilerr: - and Iron Shipbuilders’ Local No. 1, and withor fication to the duly officers and with und publicity, did suspend ~ trial the said officers = point the vice-preside ministrator with authc extend his adminis powers. “_.—We wish to expres] strongest disagreemen § the action taken by th j - gress executive in apE McAuslane to adminis affairs of the Boiler? union. However, we 4g the opinion that its } was based on false irj tion supplied by pec Vancouver whose ident been kept hidden. “ea—We hereby appeal executive council of t nadian Congress of La the interests of War tion, of trade union or tion and of harmoniov tions in the shipbuild dustry of Vancouver, scind the action taken permit the members the Boilermakers’ un choose their own office further appeal to the tive council of the Cz Gongress of Labor not sentative vote, must rest with the national secretary, Pat Conroy. Oy referendum ballot afford- ed full opportunity to every member to east his vote, in- any ill-considered aci removing charters C Congress affiliates ir couver because of the — ingly harmful effect Ss” tion would have on al ated unions at the asmuch as the membership of time,”