/-— aaa BS. Lu Official Publication of the International Woodworkers of America, B.C. District Council No. 1. ee VOL. XVI. No. 9 VANCOUVER, B.C., MAY 6, 1946 <> 20 (369) PRICE, 5 CENTS UNION ISSUES STRIKE CALL; DEADLINE SET FOR MAY 15 ~ Operators’ Proposals Strangle cess, Labor Needs Wages, Shorter Hours, Union Security RK a for hours. The operators’ reply said: “Ig through a referendum vote the majority of employees ap- prove setlement of negotiations on basis of 12% cents an’ hour wage *lijeAbace.Affective, .on date. of RWLB approval of same, and the cohtinuance of the same rates for twelve months thereafter, the C. & JACKSON employers will agree to renewal 3500: Workers March In Huge May Day Parade Marching in bright sunshine, 3500 workers, repre- senting unions, cultural, veteran and national organiza- tions, formed colorful ‘contingents on May Day in Van- couver, aims of the trade union movement. Scores of splendid floats and banners symbolized One of the lead posi- tions in the parade went to the IWA, as the organization which is spearheading the wages, the 40-hour week and union security; preceded by the veteran organizations, signifying the unity achieved between these two groups in the fight for the peace. At Brockton Point Oval in Stanley Park, a mass meeting heard speakers from the Vancou- ver and New Westminster Dis- trict Trades and Labor Council (AFL), the Vancouver Labor Couneil (CCL) and the Canadian Legion, greet labor on this first peacetime May Day for many years. se Main speaker of the day was €, 8. Jackson. of Toronto, Inter- national vice-president of the United Electric, Radio and Ma- chine Workers Union and mem- ber of the natjonal executive of the CCL “The monopolists have ganged up on labor and the people with a two-front war plan . .. to drive down the liv- ing standards of the masses to the level of the hungry 30's, and to foment war against the So- viet Union The way to stop! present drive for increased this is for the workers to strengthen their efforts for the 40-hour week to assure the right of a job; to secure increased purchasing power that they may enjoy the great volume of pro- ductive capacity, and to be vigil- ant and united against the war mongers,” said Jackson. The Toronto labor leader re- ceived a great ovation from the May Day meeting. Harold Pritchett, District Pres- ident, spoke on the task of this union spearheading the struggle for the restoration of wage levels, and the need of the fullest support of the trade union movement and the public behind the IWA struggles, A resolution was tnanimously endorsed, asking that the King Government declare May Day as a public Holiday... a day of International Labor, symbol- izing the mighty role labor :play- ed in winning the war, and symbolic of its determination to win the peace. Meeting in Executive session in Vancouver today, District Council No. 1 of the IWA issued a call for a general strike to its membership in B.C. Decision to call the strike was made after very careful review and con- sideration of the operators’ reply to. the union’s proposal arbitration of the question of Union Security and checkoff and a continuation of negotiations on wages and of the present Master Agreement with the IWA for one, two, or three years if desired by the Union. Wages to be reviewed annua’ We suggest vote be taken indez tho. mz 08. Department of Labor.” ? The opeartors maintain that signing a three-year agreement would give the Union the security it reyuires, bue union spokesmen said the proposals do not meet the union shop and checkoff de- mands in any way, but, to the contrary, tie the organization down to no security and the 44- hour week for three years. The 12%c per hour, according to union spokesmen, still fails to meet the increased cost-of-living as it did a week ago, and in view of the operators’ refusal to consider any of the unions’ pro- posals for peaceful settlement, the 25¢ per hour increase demand is being maintained. (Since the commencement of present nego- tiations, many items essential for the maintenance of decent living standards have increased in price through the lifting of price con- trols). The operators’ latest proposals were based, they said, on re- ports from many of the camps that their employees were willing to accept the operators’ pro- posals. However, reports in the Executive Board meeting refuted this statement, pointing to the excellent sentiment in all local unions concerned for instituting of our complete demands. The Executive Board also took ex- ception to the operators’ dist- ributing copies of a leaflet to the membership giving an incorrect interpretation of the proceeding of negotiations. In the columns immediately to the right is a statement of the District Council Board and the strike call. Strike Call During six years of offensive war against fascism, Interna- tional Woodworkers of America, District Number 1, CIO, gave unqualified support to our nation and our armed forces, through its “No Strike” pledge and unprecedented production records. No sacrifice was too great on the part of the workers to guarantee victory in the world conflict. Now that the war has been won, all right thinking citizens are concerned with a lasting peace and eliminating any possibility of returning to a pre-war depression. In light of this our union submitted the following demands to the employers: (@Q) A general wage increase of 25¢ per hour. (2) 40-hour week. (3) Union Security. The union’s demand for 25¢ per ‘hour increase across the board is reasonable in view of the increased cost of living. Furthermore, it is necessary to maintain the workers’ take-home pay in view of the reduced hours of work. The employers’ ability to meet the aforementioned incréase through their enormous savings in excess profits tax and war profits, is based on fact. The employers’ 12%c offer, based on the union's agreeing to diop all other demands is therefore inadequate and unacceptable. “The “union's proposed 2é-nour” week ii elect wotlld” not! only take care of the tremendous technological advances and new methods of production resulting in increased man-hour production, but would be the means of assisting in creating jobs for our un- employed veterans and war production workers. At the same time this would create a -higher degree of prosperity, happiness and leisure for our people. The employers’ 44hour week proposal is based upon’ the new provincial legislation and while only a government minimum con- cession, represents the maximum hours of work which will in no way begin to meet the employment requirements necessary to bring about jobs, security and employment for all. The union's demand for union shop and voluntary check-off received a flat rejection on the part of the employers’ representa- tives, while they expect the union to meet its responsibilities. This, in spite of the fact that our union fulfilled its “No Strike” pledge during the war years, with production levels at an all-time high in support of the Allied war against fascism. In making these just demands the union recognizes the need for full production to meet the nation’s housing problem. It is evident that the organized employers are using this dispute to force the removal of price ceilings on wood products which will be detrimental and at the expense of the general public. The fulfilment of our demands is the only guarantee that every citizen within the community, dependent upon our great industry, will be assured a greater degree of prosperity. . Sincere efforts on the part of the union negotiators to effectuate a peaceful settlement of this dispute can be seen when the union representatives proposed to the employers, arbitration of union security and further negotiations on wages and hours. Other proposals were made for peaceful settlement, all of which were flatly rejected by the employers. The employers offered 12%: in- crease conditioned on the union dropping all other demands. Not only did they reject the union’s proposed basis for settlement, but added insult to injury by proposing 12%c per hour with a proviso that the union forego any reduction in hours of work or union security for a period of three years. The District Executive have considered the latest proposals of the employers of May 6th, 1946, and find the proposals are more objectionable than former proposals submitted by the em- ployers’ representatives which were rejected by the Union District negotiating committee, fully supported by the International Officers. Believing therefore that our District negotiating committee have exhausted every peaceful means of bringing about a settle- ment, pursuant to our just demands, unless the employers con- sider a satisfactory settlement to the union’s just demands on or before 11 am., May 15, 1946, the District Executive Board declares a general strike in the woodworking industry of British Columbia.