THE B.C. LUMBER WORKER A Monday, December 8, 1945 Negotiations Stalled At Penticton Sawmills Negotiations between Penticton Sawmills Limited and the IWA Local 1-418, were held at Penticton on Tuesday, November 20th. Walter Smith and Ray Richards represented the union, Mr. Leir and Mr. Ruddock represented the company. Brother Bert Melsness, District Representative, reports that little progress was made in these the 48-hour week with time and pany insisted that there should these provisions and that these would work a 57-hour week at straight time rates. The compeny was unwilling to make provisions for adequate safety conditions. The company was unwilling to include a vaca- tion clause in line with the agreement presented, although they were willing to include a clause of their own which had some merit. The proposals of the company are to be taken up by the local union for consideration. Union officials predict that the com- pany’s proposals will be turned down and that further meetings will be held with the company. Leir Leaflets Violate Act Mr. Leir, manager of the Pen- ticton Sawmills, is still attempt- ing to avoid his responsibilities relative to bargaining collec- tively with his employees. His latest action was to have leaf- lets printed calling for the establishment of a company union within the plant. In the opinion of union leaders, print- ing and distribution of these leaflets is contrary to the pro- visions of P,C. 1003, and make Mr, Leir Hable for prosecution under the act. A copy of the leaflet has been sent to the De- partment of Labor Conciliation officer, with a request that he be prosecuted, No action on the prosecution of Mr. Leir by National Selec- tive Service for wrong dismissal of some of his employees has yet been forthcoming. The union has requested that this prosecu- tion proceed immediately. The actions of Mr. Leir in Penticton are reminiscent of a long history of labor baiting in- dulged in by one, Mr. Beach whose mill at New Westminster is now on strike. LOGGERS For a Good, Reliable TAXI Phone VERNON 190 Kal Taxi {Bob Carswell) 21 Bighth St. Res. Phone 515 VERNON, B.C. negotiations. On the question of one half for overtime, the com- be 20 categories omitted from Doukhobors To Support IWA Brother Bill Langmead, Inter- national Representative of the IWA, now working in Nelson, B.C., reports that steps have been taken to bring Doukhdbor woodworkers in the interior of British Columbia into the IWA. Communications have been re- ceived by the District Office, from John Veregin, chairman of the executive council of the community in Brilliant, advis- ing that the Council is agree- able to supporting the Inter- national Woodworkers of Amer- ica, and of urging their mem- bers engaged in the industry, to join the union. However, the Council is desirous of making their position clear, that they owe their fidelity to God alone, and can not swear allegiance to any other organization. Presi- dent Pritchett in his reply to Mr. Veregin pointed out: “That the section of the constitution re- questing allegiance to the union, provides freedom of inclination of every candidate for member- ship, and the obligation is re- quired but will not conflict with civic or religious duties. Also, that the candidate will agree to abide by the laws of the union Interior Activities FROM CRANBROOK, NELSON, PRINCETON, KELOWNA, KAMLOOPS AND PRINCE GEORGE Negotiations Now Started At Eagle Lake Efforts to get negotiations underway in the Prince George area were started this week by a letter to Eagle’Lake Sawmills from the District Negotiating Committee, Vancouver, demand- ing that negotiations be started immediately, and that the 1945 master agreement, with few changes as suggested at the Kamloops Conference, be signed by both parties. It is reported that Mr. Ruddock would be in Prince George, Monday, Dec. 3, and may represent the company in negotiations. International Board Member: E. Dalskog will be in Prince George on that date to give assistance. FORD STRIKE SUPPORTED Support for the Windsor Ford strikers among IWA locals is not confined by any means to th coast. A report from Nelson states that over 150 people turn- ed out to hear Alex McAuslane and Bill Sivell Among those present were many representatives of the Railroad Brotherhoods who sig- nified their intention of actively supporting the strike. A Nel- son-Trail Ford Strike Commit tee has been established in order to coordinate the efforts of all groups. Speakers for the IWA have been William Langmead, Inter- national Representative, and Bert Melsness, District Repre- sentative. Three interior locals have sent donations to the Ford strikers through the B.C. Federation of Labor, namely, Locals 405, 418 and 424, The Most Complete Store in the Interior For LUMBER WORKER'S to Outfit is W. D. MacKENZIE & SON (Bill MacKenzie) P.O. Box 158 — VERNON, B.C. — Phone 155 A. W. JOHNSON 280 Columbia Avenue — Vancouver, B.C. LOGGERS — HIKERS WORK AND DRESS SHOES : FOR MEN°AND BOYS Our Lo Overhead Saves Vou Money ALWAYS “The Best for Less” Aa 2, =, 4 “Your Western Shopping Centre” VANCOUVER, B.C. WRITE FOR MAIL ORDER CATALOGUE * Ask For Arbitration At Cranbrook Cartage CRANBROOK—Immediate establishment of a board of arbi- tration has been requested to hear and make decisons on the dis- pute between IWA Local 1-405, Cranbrook, and the Cranbrook Cartage Company. Negotiotions with this company have been in progress for a year, and no agreement has yet been signed. A conciliation officer was called in last year but no progress was made, The 8-hour day was considered a stumbling block in the agreement and the dispute was allowed to stand until the 8-hour day question was settled. The Cranbrook Cartage Com- pany, through its representative, Mr. Ruddock, now continues to refuse to negotiate in good faith, According to a report by B. J. Melsness, District Representa- tive for the Interior, the attitude of Mr. Ruddock indicates that before many months are up it will be necessary to apply for| many arbitration boards, Three interior agreements have been signed but in each case were negotiated by the employer him- self without consultation with Mr. Ruddock of the Interior Manufacturers Association. Intimidation Charged At Lumby The IWA has charged F. J. Barnes Lumber Company at Lumby, B.C., with intimidation of employees in an effort to pre- vent them from joining the union. It is reported thot pres- sure has been put on some of the workers by threatening them with a cut in wages if they should join. Officials of the De- partment of Labor and the Re- gional War Labor Board have been informed, and immediate action against Mr. Barnes is de- manded. An affidavit sworn to by seven vmployees has been forwarded to the Minister of La- ““@ Now peace is-with us the Here is one way British co-operative task . can play a part. Bi WESTMINSTER Vencouver A Peaceful World Needs B.C.’s Lumber Out of this Pacific province has poured a steady