As we go to press, the Editor informs me that my article in the Jast issue regarding the rigor mortis, ete., of the, sawmill locals has had considerable repercus- on him. Apparently several let- ters have come in criticizing him for net publishing certain articles sent in from logging camps, so to clear up any misunderstanding and to help the editor out, a little, I want to point out that my col- umn just deals with sawmill news. - In eonclusion, however, if the editor did get a few letters as a vesult of the last article, I must say it is more good fortune than I have received? So again appealing to all you sawmill workers to send in the news to Green Chain Pete, c-o B.C, Lumber Worker, I remain, Fraternally yours, GREEN CHAIN PETE. LOCAL 1-357, NEW WESTMINSTER Bestwood Shingle Mill: Official word of certifications has just been received from the Labor De- partment. Negotiations are ready to commence and once completed will mean another 100 woodwork- ers under the IWA master agree- ment. Supreme Shingle Mill: This plant is still out on strike pend- ing the reinstatement of a shop steward who was discriminated against for taking up grievances. Riverside: This plant is start- _ ing operations on Monday after a shut-down for repairs. It is also reported that a number of other mills in this local are also down ‘er going down for repairs and a shortage of logs. Canadian Creosote: This plant employing approximately 30 men, is now organized and certifica- tion in this operation will mean that the New Westminster area is completely organized with every lumbering operation under the master agreement. LOCAL 1-118, VICTORIA Considerable excitement has heen experienced by this local in the past two weeks ,through en- deavoring to get Sweeney Coop- erage under the banner of the IWA. Further in this regard will appear elsewhere on this page. P. & W. Sawmill Ltd.: Negotia- ——— JOHN STANTON Barrister - Solicitor - Notary 502 HOLDEN BLDG. 16 E. Hastings St. MAr. 5746 BOILERMAKERS’ Union Building DANCE TUES. and SAT. 12 BOWLING ALLEYS Large and Small Halls for rent 339 W. Pender — Vancouver Phone PA. 9481 THE BCG LUMBER WORKER LITT Chips and Sawdust By GREEN CHAIN PETE AIO NAA MAS A ES tions are now complete and a joint application has gone in to the board for an upward revision of wages in several categories. LOCAL 1-217: This local has just finished es- tablishing a central emergency committee made up of one repre- sentative from each operation within its jurisdiction. This committee got off to a good start at their first meeting held on March 20th with elected repre- sentatives from 32 of the 40 mills involved. The main purpose of this com- mittee is to speed up and coordin- ate the work should an emergen- cy arise. Clearwater Shingle Mill: Offi- cial word was received last week of certification from the labor department. Negotiations are now under way with the Stuart Research who are acting on be- half of the company. Cedar Cove: Negotiations on the wage scale are completed and a joint application before the board for an upward revision of wages in a number of categories, retroactive to February ist North Shore Lumber Company: Owing to several shut-downs caused by a shortage of logs, the wage scale that was opened for revision last November is now being negotiated through Stuart Research. BO. Fir & Cedar: The wage scale is up for revision at this plant. A meeting is being held Tuesday night to find out what adjustments are necessary. Lion’s Gate: This plant is still leading the way in the local in the collection of the fighting fund. The last report showed their collections to date amount- ed to approximately $10 per mem- ber. Lynn Forest: Negotiations are now complete and a joint appli- cation before the board to straighten out the present wage seale. Kapoor: Negotiations have now been completed for another year. ‘A joint application is before the board for increases in several categories, which will make their Sawmill News “Every Reader a Correspondent” Sweeney Of Cooperage Is Back At It Again Hammond Crew Hear Greenall At Meeting ‘An enthusiastic reorganization meeting was held at Hammond on Tuesday, March 12th, in the Orange Hall. Over 70 people at- tended and participated in a full discussion on the plans for bring- ing the Hammond Cedar Mill up to 100 per cent organization. ‘A new slate of sub-local offi- cers was elected at the meeting. District Secreetary Jack Green- all, who spoke at the meeting, re- ports that the most significant feature of the organizational drive at Hammond Cedar, is the participation of returned veter- ans. Two-thirds of those attend- ing were former members of the armed services. Evans Factory Has Meeting A joint annual meeting and so- cial was thoroughly enjoyed by the crew of Evans Factory on Friday evening, Marrch 22, The meeting opened at 7:30 with Brother Monson in the chair. Atfer a short discussion shop steward, plant, safety and emer- gency committees were elected. Sister, Richardson addressed the medting on behalf of the Ladies’ Auxiliary and stressed the necessity of women getting inter- ested in the work of the union. Other speakers included Brother Richardson, head shop steward of Canadian White Pine and Brother MacDonald, local business agent who complimented the members on the excellent job they had done- MORE CERTIFICATIONS Borther Hjalmer Bergren, one of the: old original organizers of the IWA and now first vice-presi dent of the district, was in Port Alberni for two weeks. While he was there, three certifications were applied for: North Coast Timber at Ucluelet, Tidewater Lumber Co. and R. B. McLean Lumber Company. The inspector from the Department of Labor hasn't arrived yet to check over the records but he should be show- By T. McDONALD ‘The battle of tho barrels that started in August, 1943, and which has raged spasmodically ever since, blazed forth with unbated fury again last week when Mr. Leo Sweney fired six men the day after they became members of the IWA, one of them being a returned veteran of this war. In the firing of these brothers, the company used the excuse they were playing cards during the rest period and as the company pays for this time they claim full say as to how the workers spend it. Had this been the first such offence to be committed by this company, it might not have aroused so much antagonism, but actually it is the third such ac- tion, and always at the time when the IWA has challenged the bar- gaining rights of the company union which has been in exis- tence for 15 years. ‘A little over a year ago, Mr. Sweeney laid off 10 per cent of the crew while the IWA was ap- plying for certification on the pretext of no logs. In this man- ner he laid off the head. shop steward. When it was proven to the Labor Department that the lay-off was not in conformity with the seniority clause in the company union agreement, they had him reinstated with back pay. Mr. Sweeney paid him the back pay and an extra seven days as well and immediately laid off another 10 per cent which cov- ered the brother affected. It was wane fs See eS further disclosed that the com- pany had orders in at Selective Service during the layoff and hired men immediately after the layoff was over. ‘The IWA exhausted all legal means to get justice done but were unsuccessful. When a vote was finally. taken to decide bar- gaining rights, the company union was upheld by a 27 to 24 vote. The IWA took no further action at that time because of the no-strike pledge given in support of armed forces and the war ef- fort. Now, however, the war is over, and the: IWA is in a posi- tion where methods can be used that will guarantee justice. The score to date is: . . . the IWA is now the certified bargain- ing agency which means the company union has been pushed aside. . .. Negotiations start with the company on Monday, March 25. 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