PHB ipl / LUMBER WORKER Published Every Second Monday by INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS OF AMERICA (CIO) DISTRICT COUNCIL NO. 1 Editor: JACK GREENALL Advertising: MATT FEE Room 504 Holden Building—Phone PAcifie 4151—Vancouver, B.C. @ ‘The deadline for stories for the coming issue is 4’p.m. Thursday, October 18 Labor Matures Representatives of over 75,000,000 workers from all parts of the world, attended the opening of the world labor conference in Paris, France, on September 25. Two hundred and seventy-three delegates from 69 countries were seated the first day with many more arriving.. It is génerally recognized that the World Federa- tion{of Trade Unions to be set up by the conference, will: be the most powerfu] organization in the world, ‘except for the United Nations: Organization’ itself. : ‘ The draft constitution proposes that the trade union movement in'each country must have autonomy, and it was pointed out that the task of the WFTU is to help national organizations without interference in ‘the internal activities of these’ organizations, “© ‘Howevér, labor unity has been dealt-a blow, when the Trades “and ‘Labor Congress of Canada have refused’ to participate in the all-inclusive ‘World Trade conférence. Despite’’the overwhelming majority of the Trades Congress* membership, who desire to par- ticipate in this historic conferéncé;' the ‘AFL’ reactionary leadership “have won their point. The AFT; “ahd: the Trade ‘Congress ‘remains the only imporfatit trade union centre in the wrold, not'represénted at’ the Paris Congress. Many of thie Trades Congress unions, in many cases their most important affiliates are protesting the action of the Congress heads, and have expressed their support’ of the ‘World Féderation of Trade‘ Unions.” Greetings have been sent directly by“these organizations, to the “Paris conference. The World Trade Union’ Federation will prove to be a power- “ful lever in the struggle for’ lasting peace.” Canadian labor sup- ports this new world unity, “and feels confident that all obstacles ‘will be overcome in relation to unity of ‘all workers in the world. Labor has come of age and is now required to play a mature role in determining world policies. Members’ of the IWA are proud “of the part they have*played in the building of world labor unity to the ‘present stage. They will continue to work towards’ strengthen- ing and broadening it until it becomes the power it has a right to be. Japanese. The age old question of racial prejudice is once again coming to the foréfiont, at the moment directed’ against ‘the Japanese, in British Columbia. The war is over,’ andthe qostwar period is bringing in its wake, dislocation “of industry, with resultant loss of jobs for thousands of people. In an effort to divide and:rule, the bosses once again use this means of pitting race against race to ‘obscure the main issue of “Jobs for All.” Z . Tt is true that certain elements within the Japanese population ‘onethe Goast, were engaged in subversive’ activities, detrimental tothe welfare of the Canadian’ people, but by thé-samie- token, this same pro-faseist element’ existed amongst other’ groups “through- out Canada, more interested in personal gain than in the wellbeing of our people?” ~ Sieg ‘ ‘Trademions*and union ‘members ‘must.bé on the alert against all types'-of “dis¢rimination; which will result’ intindermining the -trade“union movement, and in lowering the standard of living of the working men and women. With this thought’in mind, let us ‘examine very closely, discrimihation against the Japanese, or other minority groups. hooks Y $ , * Officers’ of: District Number 1, taking the lead on this question, in the light of-new conditions, created by our Allied victory, and Pecauseof the fact-that many loyal Japanese hold union’ member- ‘ship in IWA ‘unions throughout the’ Provinces, have proposed five spoints’ in .a brief to: be considered for® the protection of their ‘Swembership;. In order to assure full protection for the fundamental rights within a democracy, the elimination of all discrimination pecause of race, creed,calor or nationality, must be fought off. ” The brief proposes that all Japanese residénts in Canada, who took part in subversive activities, be brought to trial, and the final disposal of such cases be made through the Canadian Civil Courts. Return of all naturalized or non-naturalized Japanese to their native land, without coercion. Full rights of Canadian citizenship to those wishing to remain in Canada. Compensation or restora- tion of all properties, seized under the Defence of Canada Regula- tions, which are now modified. In the case of appeals by loyal Jap- anese holding membership in a trade union, that such trade union be allowed to represent him before the appeal board. Applications for transfer be given deserving consideration on the basis of their merits, and subject to National Selective Service appeal. Officers of District Number 1 feel that the points outlined above are in lire with trade union principles; the CIO program and democracy as a whole, and merits the consideration'6f all freedom loving people. ya 08 big, ornerHeading Out... Sein Because I used an editorial from the “Sun” of eleven years ago in the Hiring Hall report last issue, some of my friends have accused me of mental laziness; so with alt due respect to the from them I wish to quote from the following item culled from a magazine that brings out a point I wish to make far better than anything I could possibly think of, All you have to do is to change .| the word “shop” wherever it appears to “Union Hiring Hall.” “All persons indebted to our shop are requested to call and settle. All indebted to our shop and not knowing it are requested to call and find out. Those knowing themselves indebted and not wishing to call, are requested to remain in one place long enough for us to catch them.” None of us are naive enough to think that the establishing of Union Hiring is not quite an undertaking, but it is far from being impossible. Just as surely as the signing of the first union agree- ment was at.one time a. gigantic task to be done, so does Union Hiring present. a similar picture today, and one of the biggest factors, to.contend, with in putting the Union Hiring Hall over the top.can be found in the description so aptly put in the article quoted above of some of our members. . Certainly the operators as a whole are not sure that Union Hiring is the best method of obtaining men. If that were so, then the opposition would be slight indeed. Many far reaching events occur from very simple statements, so may I quote again.a ‘state- ment made by a worker in the logging industry many years ago, as follows: “Anything the boss does not want, I do.” Just as clear: as crystal why the lumber industry should be 100 percent union hiring. Lest there »e some who think jobs out of the Union Hiring Hall are better or pay. more money than can be obtained elsewhere, may I point out such is not. the case. Job conditions are obtained and maintained by the organized strength of the workers in any given plant or camp; while expression is-given through elected commit- tees who, in turn call.on the organized strength of the woodworking industry. rast wncloncs acs} With recent developments; in. the labor. movement.on the, Am- erican continent, of which the Ford Company. of Canada is a glaring: example; we must look to. our laurels,.that made. such gains over the past few years, making sure that. Union Hiring becomes. a part of our next agreements and to be-written,.therein as plain as holi- days with pay, etc. are. Should anyone try to tell you that any- thing we have in the shape of better hours, wages and working conditions were given to us—Don’t you believe it! > OULD | INTEREST YOU IN AN EXTRA PALR OF PANTS WHILE 1 HAME THE @IOR Mixed SHARE YOUR HOME WITH ONE WHO FOUGHT FOR IT In view of the state of emergency that exists in the Housing Situation in Vancouver and the very unsatisfactory conditions the Citizens’ Rehabilitation Council are endeavoring to encourage the sharing of homes insofar as it is practical. Information received from the Housing Registry advises that out of 10,000 persons who have been placed in shared homes since January Ist, there have only been 25 genuine complaints; of 1,000 persons placed in the month of August, there were only two com- plaints. If you have extra space we solicit your support in this considered opinions of my friends and risking further criticism under which a great many of our returned serviceemen are housed, | h As I was walking past the Holden Building today, Greenall lays a-hold of me and says, “Give me that parcel you're carrying and go get your column . At the meeing of the Editorial Board of our paper, this morn- ing, I got: strict orders not to print your column if you were inebriated. . “There ain’t anything in that parcel, Jack,’ I said, “except some shaving lotion and I ‘was just on my way over to the shack to shave and spruce up a bit. Better come along and if I don’t hack myself up too much, there might be a little left over,” Jack said he was too busy and John McCuish had just got mar- vied and that was one of the reasons for the Editorial Board’s adamant ruling; for they did not want me to run off on a tangent, reporting “such am event. So. gentle readers, I am going to report McCuish’s wed- ding just like they write such? events in the big daily papers: A wedding of great interest” to the loggers, fishermen and their. families, living along the B.C. Coast and the Queen Char- lotte Islands, took’ placdat. eight o’clock on the evening ‘of Oc- tober 2 last, in the home of Rev. ‘W.-K. Brown; who united in the holy bonds, of matrimony, Verna Trueman and. John McCuish, president.of IWA Local 1-71. ~ ‘The-bride’s:only attendant was Mrs, Linus Bergren, while Lin- :|us-Bergren supported the groom. Following the;,teremony, a re- ception washeld at the Palomar Supper Club, where a few intim- ate friends of the -bride and groom were present. The happy couple are spending a_ brief honeymoon on Vancouver Island after which Mr, McCuish will re- sume his duties at 204 Holden Building. _ . President McCuish was born — in Cape Breton, Nova. Scotia, — coming to the coast in the early 1920's, where he worked in the lumber industry as a faller. Over a period of time, he became quite — proficient” ii” various other oc cupations within the industry. Mr. McCuish’s interest in the betterment of working « tions, coupled with his ability t0 show how gains could be has placed him in the positio president of the largest Local the IWA, a position that he eld for quite a number of During this time, he has the admiration and respect the great majority of the : bers of Local 1-71, So to ¥ and Mrs. John MecCuish — the very best wishes of the cook, staff and membersh a happy, prosperous life. Now that I have faithfu Ported the main event of week, of friend