March 22, 1943 on @,

LUMBER WORKER

Page Five

B.C, LUMBER WORKER

Published Bi-Weekly, Every Second Monday by
_ B.C. DISTRICT COUNCIL, International Woodworkers of America

Editor: NIGEL MORGAN
Managing Editor: B, J. MELSNESS

‘Room 504 Holden Building — Phone PAcific 4151 — Vancouver, B.C.
Make Payments to: “ .A., B.C. District Council”

LABOR’S BILL OF RIGHTS

TER OF LABOR, Honorable George S. Pearson, is
credited, in the Vancouver Sun of March 12, 1943, as
ying that the people of Canada are deciding, and deciding fast,
it the right way to bargain is through trade unions, and that
very splendid work is being done by such unions.
Government is going to try out the idea of bargaining
gh trade unions and it sees no reason why employers and
ployees cannot get together and iron out difficulties “with-
that battling and disturbance and bitterness” that comes
such strife.

With that introductory statement to the new amendments
the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Ac, the Inter-
national Woodworkers of America and its ten thousand mem-
bers in British Columbia are in complete agreement. Labor
is anxious to see the complete destruction of Hitlerism at the
earliest possible time and with the least possible loss of life
“and resources. To achieve that goal, that is, and must continue
to be foremost in our minds, requires the utmost co-operation
between labor, management and government.

The main principle granted in the new amendments is that
where a majority of the employees have become members of
a recognized, bona-fide union, it is compulsory by law for the
Management to meet and bargain collectively with his em-
ployees’ chosen union and union representatives. With this
recognition of labor's right to bargain collectively through a
trade union, comes new responsibilities. A responsibility on
the part of the unorganized workers to find their place in the
ranks of the union for their industry. Comes, too, the added
responsibilities of the union itself to firmly, intelligently, and in
a statesmanlike manner, adjust grievances and rerhedy condi-
_tions which today retard production. This is essential if British
‘Columbia’s woodworkers are to co-operate to the fullest extent

jossible with management and government in hastening the
y of victory over Hitlerism.
Let’s accept our responsibility. Let’s take full advantage
‘of the opportunity that has been given us to make our lumber
‘industry 100 per cent union and thereby establish union
‘Wages, union conditions, greater safety and job security.

LIFT THE BAN

NY Man or state that marches against Hitler is our

ally,” recently stated Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
‘The vast majority of the people of the British Commonwealth
‘are in agreement with him, for in all British countries—with
the exception of Canada—all parties and groups who “March
Against Hitler” have full legal freedom.

_ Canada is the only exception to this rule. The Canadian
} government, particularly the Minister of Justice, refuses to
stand by this test on the war outlined by Prime Minister
| Churchill In Canada the government persists in banning
'groups such as the Communist Party, the Ukrainian Farmer-

abor Temple Association, the Finnish Organization of Canada,
a number of other anti-fascist groups, despite the uni-
recognized truth that these people are second to none
n their hatred of Hitlerism, in their desire for an all-out war

and in their zeal to defend Canada’s national freedom
n the awful threat of Nazi subjugation.

The government persists in this ban despite the fact that
inter-party Parliamentary Committee, at the last session of
House of Commons recommended its lifting. Thousands
people and prominent leaders from all walks of life sup-
ted this recommendation. The Church of England and the
ed Church highest councils, the Conventions of both Trades
‘Congresses as well as hundreds of locals, the Civil Lib-
s Association, two provincial premiers, and all sections of
lian society joined in this urgent request.
believe that it is important that the Canadian people
cout to their government leaders on this question. We
the government and to all Canadians that the ban on
seist, anti-Hitler groups should be lifted because its
uation excludes from full participation in the war effort
of the most vital anti-fascist forces. It is widely acknowl-
that Hitler’s most powerful enemies are the Communists.
n is a denial of the principles of freedom embodied
ic Charter to which Canada is committed.

y this obstacle to a unified war effort! Especially
the United Nations are gathering their great powers
ive battles in Africa and on the continent of Europe

ty essential !

ul

Continued .

Labor Bill

He said, “There are a few em-
Ployers who would be prepared to
spend quite a sum of money to
maintain control of their employ-
ees. We have some large and long
established organizations of em-
ployees in this province who have
received considerable sums of
| money in the past.”

“There is no doubt,” said Min-
ister of Labor Pearson, “that pas-
sage of, this legislation will go-a
long way to improving labor rela-
tions in B.C. and will therefore re-
flect favorably on the war effort
of this province. The government
is confident that it has made a step
that is in the best interests of the
people,” Mr.‘Pearson declared. “We
want to see the principle of collec-
tive bargaining go further. We see
no reason why it should not be pos-
sible for employers and employees
to get together and iron out their
differences without the necessity
for battling with each other, dis-
turbing the working periods and
creating bitterness.”

“So long as I am Minister of
Labor,” he warned, “if there is
any abuse of these privileges on

one side or the other, I shall not
hesitate to interfere and go even
further, if necessary.”

For a complete analysis of the
new amendments turn to page 4.

Continued

BILL ANALYZED

as far as legislation can in rec-
ognizing labor's rights, While or-
ganized labor will no doubt press
for additional changes respecting
the time required for dealing with
disputes and other sections of
less importance, the major
changes undoubtedly will receive
the support of all sections of the
labor movement.

Let us not overlook the fact,
however, that without organiza-
tion, these gains will be of little
use. Embodied in the new amend-
ments are a number of funda-
mental changes in the method of
dealing with labor relations, and
the utmost care must be taken
to see that in no case are we
responsible for getting the amend-
ed Act off to a bad start. The
new provisions must be studied
carefully and if there is any
doubt in your mind as to the
procedure that should be taken,
don’t hesitate to call in one of
your local or district officials to
assist you.

The utmost care must be taken
by every section of our organiza~
tion, in fact by all labor, to see
that the new amendments are
strictly applied, that the union's
case is properly prepared and that
we stand on solid ground. Fail-
ure to live up to our respon-
sibilities in this regard will only
serve to weaken the Act and
harm the trade union movement.
Let's accept our new responsibili-
ties and live up to the confidence
the government has expressed in
our labor organization, Winning
the new ICA Act is a real victory
for labor. It is the “green light”
for an all-out drive to organize
the unorganized and establish
joint management-labor partner-
ship so essential for an early vic-

Bapvernment to lift the ban now! Write Premier
uur MP.

tory over fascism.

Hello, Boys:

I am having quite a time to link
a few lines together these days.
You see a sip, or a couple of good
gargles of stagger juice quite often
inspires a writer. These, last few
weeks I spent most of my time
chasing from one liquor store to
the other only to read the up-to-
date Liquor Control Board’s new
slogan: “Yes, we have no ration
today.” You boys talk about a
mix-up. You fight your way into
a store. Behind the counter stand
seven to eight clerks, looking at
the disgusted mob. The ‘shelves
are bare and all new signs are hang-
ing. No beer today, no whisky,
etc. Everyone talks about moon-
shine, home brew, bootleggers, etc,
That’s o.k., but where am I going
to get sugar for a still or $20 for
a bootlegger? I am getting to be
disgusted and wonder if other gov-
ernment departments make a mud-
dle of their business like this. Just}
then somebody hits me on the back
and hollers: “Hello, Old Timer.”
Well I'll be darn if it ai’t an old-
time hook-tender friend of mine,
“Come on,” say he, you'll never
get a drink here. The Liquor Board
is only kidding you: I'll drive you
to a beer parlor in Port Moody. A
friend of mine runs it and tonight
he will have all the beer you can
drink.”

It did not take me long to accept
the invitation and not much longer
to get there. Well, my friend was
right. There was lots of beer and
the place was full. Shortly after
we sat down, I noticed an old lady
dressed in black with a veil over

her face, sitting next to us. She
was holding an empty glass in her
hand and seemed to be weeping.
Says I to my partner, “Look, Al;
that poor lady kinda weeping over
there. She may have lost a son
overseas or something.” “You mean
a grandson maybe,” says my friend.
Just then this poor soul notices that
we are watching her so she slowly
gets up and leaves, As she passes
our table, she leaves a note on our
table and says: “You wonder how
I got in this state of mind. You just
read this, gentlemen,” and van-
ished. Well, boys, here is the note
that she gave to me:

He grabbed around my slender neck
I could not call or scream;

He dragged me to his lonely room,
Where we could not be seen.

He tore away my flimsy wrap,
And looked upon my form;

I was so cold and damp and scared,
While he was hot and warm,

His feverish lips he pressed to mine,
I gave him every drop;

He drained the of my veiy self;

I could not make him stop.

He made me what I am today,
‘That's why you find me here,

A broken bottle thrown away

That once was full of beer.

Now, boys, to get from the ridicu-
lous to the sublime, you will have
to admit that this beer muddle is
hitting at the average industrial
worker. The only recreation he has
is slpping a few glasses of beer
after a hard week's work, Now
this privilege is virtually taken
away from him. Why I do not
know. The ingredients required for

brewing are all Canadian products.
Right now the breweries have their
warehouses filled to capacity. It
is a ridiculous situation. It sounds
as contradictory as the story of the
young lad who after having mur-
dered his dad and mother tried to
appeal to the jury for an acquittal
on the grounds that he was now
an orphan.

LET’S ALL DO OUR PART
TO HELP DESTROY HITLER

The recent announcement by the Hon, J. L, Isley, Min-
ister of Finance, one of the most highly respected members
of the Canadian Cabinet, that the tremendous sum of
$1,100,000,000 will be the objective of the forthcoming Fourth
Victory Loan, has had a sobering effect upon the Canadian
people. : b

At a time when we are all shouldering an impressive

* burden of taxation, it is well to bear in mind that even with
these heavy taxes, the Canadian budget for military and
civilian needs will require over 50 per cent more funds
to meet al ldemands in the current year.

The rest of this money must be raised by voluntary
savings in the form of War Savings Certificates and Vic-
tory Bonds.,

In the readjustment period following the war, Mr. Ilsley’s

wisdom and far-sighted-
E [=|] cl E68 Ra ness will become more ap-
EGANABA?

parent than it is to many
of us at the present mo-
ment. If every man and
woman in Canada fulfills
the desire of the Minister
of Finance and purchases
these voluntary savings to
a minimum amount of
$250, he and she will be
providing a bulwark
against transitional unem-
ployment.

Lumber
industries,

logging
fisheries and
mining, retail dealers, in-
surance companies — in
fact, all businesses, as well
‘as each and every one of
us will benefit for the

and

simple reason that
through the purchase of
Victory Bonds and War
Savings Certificates we
have provided for post-
war employment and en-
sured ourselves of ade-
quate means to buy the
many things we are 50
cheerfully denying our-
selves at this critical time,