mot on the floor,” Official Publication of the International Woodworkers of America, B.C. District Council No. 1. —— Vol. XVII. No. 5 ‘ * VANCOUVER, B.C., MARCH 11, 1946 PRICE 5 CENTS (365), Labor Unity Keynotes Lobby — Picture above shows the Steering Committee, composed of representatives of both labor bodies and the veterans, taken during Labor’s Lobby at Victoria. From left to right: Daniel O’Brien, CCL; A. P. Rayment, AFL; R. K. Gervin, AFL; Major Carl Fallas, Canadian Legion; Alec Mc- Kenzie, CCL; Harold Pritchett, CCL; Harvey Murphy, CCL; C. H. Herret, AFL. Interior Conference To Lay Plans For Action A conference to lay plans and discuss tactics for bringing IWA negotiations in the Interior up to the same level as on the coast, will be held in Kamloops on Tuesday, March 12th. The stalling tactics of the Interior operators led by Mr. Ruddock of the Manufacturers’ Association have created a situation that may now be turned to the distinct advantage of Interior wood- Strike Called At Westminster The crew of Supreme Shingle Mill in New Westminster are on strike this week as a result of sharp disagreement with the management over a shop stew- ard who was fired. Business agent Floyd Hamil- ton of Local 1-357 reports that “trouble started when Harry Montgomery, Shingle Packer and shop steward, was fired after taking up a grievance with the management over call-time for the crew. Official reason for firing him was “off grade” pack- ing, a charge that was obviously “manufactured” as the inspec- tion was made at the kilns and Hamilton stated. The management refused to reinstate Montgomery at the quest of the committee and tened to close down the if this matter was not vote was taken among the afternoon, and the workers. Due to the fact that no contracts have been signed with the Interior Lumber Manufac- turers’ Association, the operat- ors have placed the union in a position where it is now possible to unite the coast and the In- terior into one huge united organization with a single de- mand for 25c per hour increase, 40-hour week, and union secur- ity. All that is necessary to ac- complish this objective and institute the 1946 convention demands in the interior is adop- tion of the program by every camp and mill, the establish- ment of action committees in each Local and each operation for the purpose of working out tactics and preparing for what- ever action may be necessary. Decision on calling a conference Was made at the executive board meeting of District No. 1, held on March 5, where a full dis- cussion of interior problems was held. Representation will be based on two delegates from each local union plus International and District representatives. Interior woodworkers will be further strengthened in the coming struggle due to the fact that the Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers’ Union throughout the mining industry of B.C. are adopting similar demands which will be coming up for negotia- tions this spring. Treatment Of Spy Scare Aids Reactionaries Sharp criticism of the govern- ment in its handling of the cur- rent “Spy Scare” was voiced by officers of the IWA in executive session on March 5. District officers were instruct- ed to prepare a statement de- nouncing the manner in which the charges have been inflated and distorted in a campaign which leaves no other explana- tion but that the purpose is to stir up public sentiment against the USSR. z A statement adopted by the meeting declares: Meeting in regular executive session Dist- rict No. 1, International Wood- workers of America went on record deploring the manner in which Prime Minister Mackenzie King gave the reactionary ele- ments throughout the world an opportunity to launch an un- bridled slander campaign against the Soviet Union. This has re- sulted in an attack upon every Canadian citizen and organiza- tion that has become friendly toward the Soviet Union, as a resuit of her splendd achieves ment in our common war against fascist aggressors. The executive board fully en- dorses prosecution of anyone who would reveal Canadian official secrets to any power without proper authorization from our government. A warning must be given against allowing the current spy seare campaign to become a smoke screen to distract the attention of the Canadian people from the issue of winning the peace, and allowing the labor movement to be split and divided | on false issues.” fluence was fully discussed. The steering committee, com- posed of representatives from CCL and AF of L Unions, com- bined with veterans’ organiza- tions issued instructions to all labor and veteran groups to write or wire their representa- tive urging support for the en- actment of the 40-hour week, the 60c per hour minimum, va- cations with pay, old age pen- sions for senior citizens with $50.00 per month at the age of sixty, improved compensation and_any_other points included in labor’s legislative program. A study of the arguments presented by the employer's in- terests has convinced labor and veteran leaders that the employ- ers are more concerned with competing on world markets from the premise that; standards of living throughout the world should be reduced, rather than that ‘we should attempt to raise them. This perspective is one that organized labor is definite- ly opposed to, and is one of the main reasons for the formation of a World Trade Union Feder- ation. province “an edge” in cutthroat competition, is one that is direct- ly opposed to the principles outlined in Article 55, San Francisco Charter of the Unitea Nations, which states: “With a view to the creation of condi- tions of stability and well-being which are necessary for peaceful and friendly relation among nations, based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, the United Nations shall pro- mote higher standards of living, full employment and conditions of economic and social progress and development.” At the close of the Lobby which was composed of 340 delegates, united in one of the greatest demonstrations in_re- cent history, the committee issued a statement as follows: “The committee considers that the Lobby has” been of such 2 character that it has raised Iabor’s demand for improved labor and social legislation to an unprecedented high level. Unanimity and singleness of purpose of all B.C, Labor and The perspective of lower standards of living for B.C.|. workers in order to give this Manufacturers Show Weak Approach To Current Problems Preparing for a further effort to keep labor’s demands for progressive legislation before the House at Victoria, the Steering Committee of ‘Labor's Lobby’ met Wednesday afternoon, March 6th, in Vancouver, where the recent at- tempts of the ‘Manufacturers’ Lobby” to upset labor in- veterans’ organizations has im- pressed itself on all members of the legislative assembly. “We met with Premier Hart and held a long and intimate discussion. We were impressed by the fact and assured by the Premier, that our proposals for action by this session of the legislative assem; bly would receive the earnest and deep consideration of the government and that a definite statement with regard to our representations would be made during the course of this session. We urge all delegates to stay in Victoria until Wednesday night, and that the steering committee will continue to per- form its duties and if necessary will reconvene this Lobby. All unons will continue to press for enactment of our program, using every means at their disposal to assure public support. We further recommend to every union and veteran’s organ- izatién to have their delegate ready to return to Victoria at short notice on the request of this committee.” Immediate plans include radio and newspaper advertising and a call for all unions and veter- ans’ organizations to stand by for instructions from the com- mittee to proceed to Victoria in an even greater Lobby than the last one, should the need arise. Injury Fatal — To Logger Another map killed has raised the death toll in British Colum- bia’s most im- portant and most dangerous Woodworkers | industry to eight. wdietin c's | This time it lumber in- J is William dustry since | Hanson, who Jan. 1, 1946} was injured Monday, Feb- ruary 25 at Jael’s Logging Camp, Smith Island and died in Van- couver General Hospital, Tues- day, February 26. Ambulance men report he had been in hospital before for in- juries received in the woods.