BC LuncealWonner UNION BULLETIN Published Bi-Weekly by the B.C. Coast District Council, I-W.of A. VOL. I. No. 3. VANCOUVER, B.C, MAY 26, 1939 a No. 209 5 Re CANADIAN LAW UPPORTS YOUR RIGHT TO ORGANIZE Labor Set For Great Crusade As Bill Passes Without a record vote the House o: £ Commons recently gave its approval to amendments to the Criminal Code, inflicting penalties on employers who discriminate against workers who, in order to secure the benefits of collective bargaining, join trades uni of this measure, for which Canadian time, can best be judged by the bitter facturers’ Association and the large LABOR, COF UNITE. ‘This bill which will help to guarantee labor's rights to organize, was not only a victory for the trades unions, it was a victory for the CCF, because this legis- lation was taken directly from the bill introduced in three consecutive sessions by J. 8. Woodsworth, M.P., and which had twice been rejected by the Government. The combined strength of the trades un- ion movement and the CCK, who had con- ducted a campaign for the bill, was so strong that the government could no long- er ignore the popular demand. WORKERS MAKE GAIN. Enactment of this legislation climaxes three-quarters of a century of struggle on the part of the workers of this Do- minion for the right to organize and bar- gain collectively, and was hailed as one of the most important mile-posts in Ca- nadian labor history. At last Parliament has been forced by the weight of public opinion to recognize and make it a crim- inal offense to deny workers the right to organization. While this amendment is not comparable to the great Wagner Act in the U,S., this legislation does neverthe- less offer a splendid opportunity for or- ganization of tens of thousands of work- ers, if it is used carefully and strength- ened by an organized backing. Remem- ber that same great Wagner Act which ‘we just mentioned was not half what it is today until organized labor and their sup- porters got behind it and made it law in fact as well as in word. By making it a punishable offense and a criminal act for employers to discriminate against work- ers for membership in a trade union, the amendment goes far to weaken the power of antilabor corporations to obstruct or- ganization. The thing needed now is leadership in developing organization campaigns, UNION DRIVE LAUNCHED. It is fortunate that this bit of encour- agement should come just as trade union _ activity is on a new and definite upswing, _ and just as the Trades and Labor Council is launching a strong organizational cam- paign. Those who are in close touch with the unions in B.C, are convinced that we are entering into a new cycle of labor activity. This condition is reflected in industry today. Fishing, mining Jumbering are all marching forward ions of ‘their own choice. The value Tabor has been campaigning for some opposition from the Canadian Manu- mining and lumbering corporations. HAROLD PRITCHETT Pritchett At Ladysmith Meet Glowing tribute for the organizational work being done by Local 1-80, particu- larly in the Ladysmith-Chemainus area, was paid by International President Har- old Pritchett on his return from a short speaking tour on Vancouver Island. Prit- chett spoke at a well-attended union meeting and smoker, held in the Finn Hall at Ladysmith last Saturday night, dealing with the local, national and inter- national problems of labor in the struggle to protect and extend democratic rights. Other speakers were Brothers E. P. Wen- nerlow and Archie Greenwell who re- jported on the recent organizational and economic gains of Cowichan Local No, j1-80, of which Ladysmith-Chemainus is a sub-local, Later refreshments were served and a singong enjoyed until about 3 in the morning. Before breaking up the meet- ing decided that smokers such as this could do much to improve the social life of the community and the Union was asked to arrange an even bigger and broader evening for the near future, News has, just been received that Lady- smith is joining in the Grand Series with a “Good Time Night” in the New Finn Hall at Ladysmith on Friday, June i6th. Bob Thompson’s modern orchestra and guest artists will be there to entertain you. Winning tickets in the Grand Series FRANKLIN RIVER ACCIDENT SERIOUS After hearing the details of an accident at Franklin River today, I think it is time to clear the decks for action and look for some explanation regarding the safety rules in the woods. ‘This man, Cal Walker, who only start- ed working on Monday of this week, was setting chokers on a sidehill when the other chokerman above him stepped on a short piece of timber about six feet long and about two feet in diameter. It up-ended and struck the victim on the chest, throwing him down twenty feet flat on his back across another log. Now this is what needs explaining. The al- leged first-aid man on the scene rolled the man on his stomach and lifted him onto a stretcher regardless of protests from Walker. He was taken down the hill on the haul-back, packed two miles along the track to where the speeder was as the track was full of cars, and taken to the beach—still on his stomach. The accident happened at 11:20 am. and it was 1:45 p.m. when the beach was reached, the man being in pain all the time. Here he was treated a little better, being given a, hypo by the head first-aid man and taken to this hospital here. But he was still on his stomach without any splints or other precautions to pre- vent further injuries in travelling and was still in terrific pain as the hypo did not take effect, Now, Mr. Editor, you have the gist of the matter so dress it up and lay it on as this is a damnable situation in a so- called enlightened. country. It would be far better if this notorious butcher shop were closed up than to run it as it is, killing and maiming so many of our loggers. (Special Correspondent) B.C. LUMBER TAKES TOLL Two more victims were added to the long list of deaths which darken the pages of history of B.C.'s lumber industry. The first, George Gordon, only a boy of 19, was killed at Pete 1 6 Workers have been killed in Hammer’s Mill, Mis- sion, when he lost his balance and fell under | jogging accl- the wheels of a mov-| dents in B.C, ing truck, since January The second, Joseph | 15% 1989 Z Omielaniec, 43, was instantly killed at the Elk River Timber Company camp at Campbell River by a blast of dynamite, Omielaniec, who was powderman at C.RT., leaves a wife and two children, will receive (1) Trip to the World Fair and $25; (2) Hamilton Railroad Watch; (3) $25 Cash; (4) Stetson Hat; and the seller of the winning ticket will get $15. If you want a good time, join the Wood- workers’ Grand Serial Dance! O'BRIEN LOG AIDS MAC-PAPS Yes sir, the boys at the O'Brien Log. Co. sure haven't forgotten those gallant lads from Spain, Forty-seven dollars and twenty-five cents was the sum received this week from that camp, You should have seen the looks on these boys’ faces in the Mac-Pap office when I walked ia and plunked forty-five bucks on the counter. Just think, two amputation cases coming up and others badly in need If this same initiative, spirit and sac- rifice is shown in buildng the union I am. sure that we will have something to look forward to here in British: Colum- bia, Let us not forget that there is more than one way in which to fight for a higher standard of living. The living standard which we have today was fought for in Spain and is being fougi for in China now. Let us be sure thas Canada will never be made the Happy Hunting Grounds for Fascism. How can we stop this? There is only one answer, brothers. Build the unions, this is the greatest bulwark against Fascism. And any sacrifice you make in building the union could not possibly be compared to the sacrifices you will have to make under a Fascist regime. . . And to the workers of the O'Brien Log. Co. Thanks again, VERN YEAGER. QUARTER YEAR’S LOG SCALE MUCH HIGHER VICTORIA.—British Columbia’s of- ficial saw-log scale for the first four months of this year reached 851,926,255 board feet, compared with 572,401,085 board feet scaled in the corresponding period of last year, E, C. Manning, chief forester, said recently, In the same period export shipments were brisk, and prices a little firmer than at this time last year, In addition to saw logs, the scale for the first four months included: 2,000,000 inear feet of poles and piling; 60,000 cords of cut wood, and 151,000 pieces of hewn ties. ie For the month of April alone, the saw-log scale was 264,192,251 board feet, compared with 204,552,086 board feet in April, 1938, Log Prices Firm There has been little or no change in log prices. Fir lists remain at $11, $16 &nd $23, but the expected improvements in the shingle market should strengthen values. The completion of the shingle- quota in April has left this industry marking time until the Canadian-Am- erican trade agreements signed to per mit re-opening, a ceremony Which is ex- pected by manufacturers around June 1, (Continued on Page Two)