Official Publication International Woodworkers of America, B.C. District Council No. 1

VANCOUVER, B.C., SEPTEMBER 24, 1945

East End <€5> Printers

(353)

Commission Report Opposed ©

To Splitting Large Local Unions

Political Discussion

The next issue of the B.C. Lumber Worker will carry a special
supplement which will be devoted entirely to political discussion.
At the Convention of the B.C. Federation of Labor, held last. month,
the following resolution was adopted: ¢
. WHEREAS: The last Federal election coneretely demon-

strated the need for labor unity if our legislative objectives
are to be achieved; and

WHEREAS: Labor forces are divided into a number of
Separate forms of organizations, economic and political, none
of which can justly, and on a principle of democracy, represent
all workers; and

WHEREAS: All honest and responsible leaders and mem-

hers of the various labor organizations must give recognition
to the principle of unity and recognize that it is imperative in
the achievement of Jabor objectives,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That this Convention
g0 on record as proposing, that the influence of the trade union
movement be utilized in such a manner that the support of
labor will be centered upon one candidate in each provincial
or Federal Electoral Constituency. By this we do not mean
that the Trade Union movement should endorse any one Politi-
eal Party; but rather the individual candidate meriting support
of labor; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

‘That the B.C, Federation of Labor approach the two political
parties speaking in the name of labor, namely: The Cooperative
Commonwealth Federation and the Labor-Progressive Party, and
strongly urge them to achieve electoral unity in the coming
provincial elections.”

Letters from the editorial board of this paper have been sent
to leaders of the CCF and the LPP asking for a submission outlin-
ing their respective positions, Both parties have been asked to
submit not more than three thousand words on the subject of their
attitude toward labor’s demands for post-war progress and the

above resolution. \ B

Morgan New LPP Head,
To Leave IWA Position

Nigel Morgan, Canadian International Board Member of the
IWA-CIO, and one of Canada’s outstanding trade union leaders,
was elected Provincial Leader of the Labor-Progressive Party last
Sunday. Elected to his new post by unanimous standing vote of
the 125 delegates in attendance, the man who led the campaign to
break the open shop in British Columbia’s great lumber industry
will assume, at the end of this month, the job of leading a legi-
slative fight for labor of jobs and security.

Morgan, who at 32 is one of
the youngest men to lead an im-
portant political party anywhere

to serve in a much broader
field” Morgan stated. In his

Suggest Referendum
When Meetings Not
Sufficiently Broad

The Investigating Committee established by the Inter-
national Executive Board at its last meeitng in Portland,
held meetings at Youbou and Chemainus early this month
to investigate two petitions forwarded to the International
Office. Highlight of the evidence was the frank admission
by members that they had signed the petition under faise
pretences, without having seen its actual wording and being
told it was for the six-hour day and increased pay, instead

in Canada, immediately follow-
ing his election communicated to
the B.C. District Council his re-
quest for release from the full-
time position he holds as Inter-
national Board member, to take
effect September 30th.

“I want to make it clear to all
IWA members that my new job:
far from removing me from
participation in the union strug-
gles for better conditions and

ter social security, will ac-
tually make it possible for me

new position Morgan will be
able to specialize in a study of
labor and social legislation as
well as watch carefully legisla-
tive development. In the weld-
ing of labor unity at the polls
he can play an important part.
He made it plain that he in-
tends to continue as an active
union member fulfilling his re-
sponsibilities as Vice President
of his own Local, 1-71, and
maintaining the contacts made
during his years of service to
the union,

Ford Workers
Want Security

WINDSOR, Ont.—Ford work-
ers are asking for an $1,800
minimum national wage, collec-
tive bargaining security as part
of the general fight to raises liv-
ing standards and win full em-
ployment in Canada.

This statement of policy was
submitted to a special concilia-
tion board sitting here last week
in a last-minute effort to avoid
a strike after the Ford com-
pany’s provocative attitude had
compelled UAW employees to
vote for a strike to win their
demands.

The union’s case was present-
ed by J. L. Cohen, K.C.

Mr. Cohen outlined the issues
as follows:

© Jobs and full employ-
ment;

@ Layoffs or reconversion
pay;

© Two weeks vacation with
pay;

© Veterans’ seniority;

© Minimum yearly income;

© Union shop and check-off.

No sooner did the Board open
its session than the company
immediately tried to narrow it
down to a discussion of the minor
details involved and reserved the
right for itself not to partici-
pate in any discussion which the
company argued that the board
has no right to deal with: the
fundamental problems of jobs.
wages, lay-offs, seniority rights
for veterans, reconversion pay
and other similar problems, In
fact, the company argued that
the board has no authority at all.

The board chairman, Mr. Jus-
tice O'Connor, ruled that the
proceedings would continue.

of the splitting up of; their Local.

| Sponsors

It was also admitted by the
of the petition that
mongst the!-names gathered
were a number who were not
members of the Local, many who
were delinquent and still further
students who only worked dur-
ing the summer and consequent-
ly have since left the operations
to return to school.

Meeting in Vancouver immedi-
ately following the Island hear-
ings, the committee which was
composed of two international
officers: Calude Ballard, Presi-
dent, and E. E. Benedict, Sec-
retary-Treasurer; two Distridt
officers: Harold Pritchett, Presi-
dent, and Hjalmar Bergren,
vice-President; and Nigel Mor-

gan, International board mem-
ber in Canada, unanimously
recommended:

1. In view of the large terri-
tory covered under the jurisdic-
tion of Local 1-80 and the ex-
ceptional difficulties due to
transportation for all camps and
other operations to be represent-
ed at the Local union meetings
in Duncan, the financial secre~
tary of the Local shall send out
the call of conventions to sub-
Locals within 48 hours after re-
ceipt of the call, m order to give
the sub-Locals an opportunity
to make nominations wherever
possible. Nominations of these
sub-Locals shall, in turn, be
submitted to the main Local
meeting, either by the stewards
or by communication, and in
turn, subniitted to referendum
vote, which shall be conducted
in the sub-Local meetings fol
lowing the Local’s nomination
meeting. Meetings at which the
election of delegates are held
shall be posted in all operations
of the Local. If, at any main
Local meeting, 25 percent of the
entire membership are present,
they shall have the right to fore-

(Continued on Page 3)
“Commission”

Bush Miller
Strike May
Be Avoided

“Strike action at Bush and
Miller shingle mill may be
averted if negotiations now un-
der-way are successful,” Tom
McDonald, Business Agent for
Local 1-217 reported last Satur-
day.

Following a strike vote con-
ducted at the plant two weeks
ago a deadline was set for Sat-
urday, September “22, In the
meantime, Mr. Jack Place of
the Department of Labor was
appointed as coneiliation officer.
Through Mr. Place’s efforts, an
understanding has been reached.
whereby the company will sign
the agreement provided the
Acme Shingle Mill will also pay
the same rate as is beirig de-
manded at Bush & Miller.

Representations are being
made to the Regional War
Labor Board in an effort to
equalize the scales. The men in
the plant are standing by for

further instructions from the
union.

Logger Dies
Toll Now 34

The death toll in B. C. lumber
this week rose to 34.

Peter Benson, 48, logger
employed by the Pioneer Timber
Company at

Port MeNeill,’
B.C., who was
seriously injurt

ed during log- yeeros
ging operations killed in BC’s
September 12, | jomber in-

died in hospital i
at Alert Bay | gusty since

September 14, ———-~——>_}
Brother Benson was a member
of Local 1-71. His body will be
shipped to Vancouver for burial;
at which time a representative

cf the IWA will attend the
funeral.

War Assets Corporation is
placing all surplus aircraft, as
well as other serviceable avia-
tion equipment and instruments.
on the open market to be sold
as quickly as buyers, either in
Canada or outside the Domin-
ion, can be found for them. .

Preference is given to Canadian
buyers.