@... B.C. LUMBER WORKER Lf November 1, 1943 LETTERS Camp “Every Comments Reader a Correspondent” REPORTS Forestry Corps To Work In B.C. Woods Franklin River Reports -Good Progress in Camp To the Editor: There has been great activity in this camp during the past month. Under the very able direction of our chairman, Norman MacKin- non, a concerted collection was taken up for the QCI fund. Every man in camp was inter- viewed, both union and non union members came through with ex- cellent, results, over $800 being pledged. A yery small percentage did not contribute. A meeting of all married men living in camp was called by Brother MacKinnon, who gave a very detailed and concise talk on the advantages of being unionized against the perilous position of non-union men in the event of a Strike in this camp and the horrors and attendant miseries of strike breaking (there is a much nastier name for it). A secret ballot was taken and a 100 percent YES vote was record- ed. The chairman then convened an official meeting and initiated the new members into the union. Secretary Olaf Fedge and Vice- chairman Joe Dibble were also present, the minutes being record- ed by Brother Fedge. This meeting had a direct bear- ing on the rest of the camp as over 60 new members were signed up or promised to sign on pay day, bringing the camp up to ap- proximately 90 percent union men. There had been considerable in- timidation here during the past three months and this was brought to a satisfactory climax by our grievance committee, The committee, Brothers Harry Miller and Andy Kay with the chairman Brother MacKinnon, called on the personnel manager, Ed. Whalen to arrange a meeting between the committee and the superintendent, Roy Olson and Moderate 444 Carrall Street foreman, Harold Brownson. The superintendent refused to meet the committee and referred them to the minister of labor, the foreman following suit refused also, But Brother MacKinnon, who had personal reasons, interviewed the foreman outside the oifice which resulted in a two-hour ses- sion in the personnel office discuss- ing intimidation, etc, with Ed. Whalen as third man in the ring. After lengthy argument it was agreed intimidation of men wear- ing buttons would cease. Skidder 4 is working 100 per- cent union men from foreman to punk and Skidder 5 will be 100 percent before this letter reaches you. The camp is in great spirits and feels pretty good over the out- come of the QCI strike. One amusing incident was re- corded during the drive for 100 percent membership last week. A mon-member told. Norman Mac- Kinnon that there were soldiers overseas fighting for the likes of him. This seemed ludicrous to me, who know Brother MacKin- non very well and knows he is an Anzac with five years’ service from 1914 to 1919. I have also had the privelege of seeing his decor- ations, 1914 Star, Military Medal and Belgian Croix de Guerre, and the man who made the remarks did not serve either in the last war or this. I will try in future to give you monthly reports of our activities in this camp which is run on splendid lines, food is par excel- ent, bunkhouses, lighting and showers, etc. are good, and our foreman, now he has dropped his anti-union notions, is probably one of the best on the coast. Fraternally yours, Hotel West Ltd. FRED R. MARCHESE, Mgr. Centrally Located PAc. 8374 — Card No. 1809. Rates and PAc. 8375 Vancouver, B.C. Men Returning From Scotland To Be Given Civilian Rights The first units of the Canadian Army Forestry Corps ar- rived in the City of Vancouver yesterday. Ottawa officially announced the transfer of the Forestry Corps from Scotland on completion of its work there and to supplement experienced man power in the B.C. woods. The original announcement contained the fact that they would be returned to the woods and mills under army condi- tions, but was revised after vigor-@ | Arbitration ous protests of District No. 1 of} the International Woodworkers of' Postponed Arbitration proceedings for Co- America and other public bodies. It is understood from Selective Service officials that'loggers, mem-|mox Log were adjourned until bers of the Forestry Corps, will; November 10 as mutually agreed be permitted to voluntarily return | Upon by both parties. Solicitor Wal- to the camps in British Columbia | ter Owens, representing the com- with full civilian status, enjoying | Pany, stated he believed there were the wages, hours and conditions of | xcellent possibilities of negotia- their brothers with full collective | tions between both parties, look- bargaining rights. In the mean-|ing towards a signed union agree- time, District Council officials of Ment, prior to November 10. In the IWA stand by for further clari-| that case, should such negotiations be successful, arbitration will be unnecessary. It is understood the fication. presiding chairman of the Arbitra- Jeune Landing ton Board, Judge Lemos, will 4 call an informal meeting of the 100% Union Board for the purpose of extend- Well, boys, we are getting some- ing its life. where now. The boys in the Queen Charlottes got us away to a good start and by Christmas we want every boss logger on the Coast to have his name on the dotted line. Then we will have something to celebrate. I might even buy an ex- tra bottle of rum—if I can get it! We have about 60 men up here. It is just a new camp and condi- tions are pretty good except for the food, carpets on the floor, be- lieve it or not. The grub is rather poor; the lunch table terrible. I think the boss is interested in a rice farm because we get it seven days a week; no ketchup, no pickles and the syrup is just about straight water. However, we get lots of butter. One good thing, though, we are 100 percent union (paid up mem- bers and we will be going after a union agreement as soon as pos- sible. We have the same agreement as the QCI camps regarding fares: one-way after three months; two- ways after six months. I would like to see something done about this freezing a man on the job. That doesn’t sound. like democracy to me. * How about seeing a few more For Union Members Did you ever give your union meeting and obligation you as- sumed a real thought? Whether you did or not, the following may in- terest you, and in a friendly way it is meant for all of us. _ Let’s ask ourselves a few ques- tions: 1. What kind of a union would my union be if all its members were like me? 2. Do I obey and observe, even to a small extent my obligation by at least attending one meeting a month? 3. Do I act toward my union as a union man should and as the public believes I do when my union button catches the eye? 4, Have I paid my dues or am I one who leans on others, letting the members who have paid carry the burden which I should share in? 5. Did I ever talk to a fellow work- er, pointing out to him the bene- fit of being a member of our union? 6. Have I helped to promote the organization which has helped me to better and improve conditions? 7. What do I do toward making my union a richer place in good fellowship and in service to my- iaiere in the Lumber Worker,| ang to others? All for now, and don’t forget r Fatman SETTER CT | that union agreement, ! 12 % alt = (efit 17) | ma, ff Samana | Telephone 625 H "Styles for Young Men and feo Government St. DUNCAN I Men who Stay Young” PALACE CAFE © 47 West Cordova Street © 938 Granville Street A Satisfied Customer ia Our Best Advertisement 100% UNION HOUSE 301 West Hastings St. CAMP ACTIVITY By ROVING REPORTER The following is typical of tele-” grams received from all camps in- volved in the strike: “extend heartiest congratulations to negotiating committee on the ex- cellent work done in negotiating agreement to successful and vic- torious settlement stop please for- ward our thanks to tne many locals trade unions and other organiza- tions who gave their support in this struggle for true democracy stop all men unanimously accept Proposal to return work monday morning stop with again to ex- press greatest confidence in union leadership stop everybody happy” (signed) -strike committee A-35 per Mike Freylinger, N. C. Madsen. The following telegram was also received from New Westminster Local 1-357: “the officers and members of lo- cal 1-357 wish to convey to the ne- gotiating committee of local 1-71 their sincere congratulations on their victory in qci dispute and the brilliant leadership shown throughout” (signed) local 1-357 IWA-CIO, P. A. Smith, business agt. Money is still coming in for the strike fund; when it is all in a full statement will be given. Olson Logging Co., Olson's Land- ing—Several members of the crew of this camp arrived in town this week as logging on the present claim was completed. Oscar Niemi Ltd., Sechelt—The new chairman elected at the last meeting was Brother Steve Goring. A motion to donate a day’s pay to the strike fund was passed unanimously. Gibson Bros., Jeune Landing. — Reports from this camp show that everything is going ahead well. Brother Greenwell was hurt and had to leave camp but the other brothers are carrying on. Galiano Logging Co. 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