ee SS Marek B Ga LUMBER WORKER tion in the International. The members at each step have made IWA bistory. To understand their struggle the IWA today, It represents a notable victory for the rank and file. It és told bere by the winners at the special request of the B. C. LUMBER WORKER. By Lloyd Whalen, Mike Sekora, and Bob Watters. desires and wishes of the rank and file membership of Local 1-217 had been frustrated for a considerable length of time, due to the union being dominated by the LPP bureaueratic clique for years. A small number of rank and file members realized that if we were to have a virile democratic union, representing the desires of the mass of the membership, it was necessary to organize our- selves and struggle to reconstitute democracy in our local and with the prospect in view that this must be done on a}. ; district scale. It would be well to mention a few of the members who com- meneed to organize themselves into a rank and file caucus. Dedi- cated to carry out a policy for better wages, shorter hours and improvement of working condi- tions and eliminating the inter-| ference by the LPP in the forma- tion of the policy and program of our Union. Brothers H. Patton, David Boyles, Lloyd Whalen and Earl Kearstead were'the first members who formed the rank and file cau- cus in Local 1-217 in June of 1943. Quite a number of meetings were held and a definite program of action to restore democracy was promulgated and that program rought about the enlargement of the caucus and when, in the year of 1944, it was increased. and others of the rank and file joined the caucus, among them ‘being Gyril Clarkson, Ralph New, Eddy yde, Mike Sekora and a number of others. The rank and file caucus of Local 1-217 realized that this struggle must be conducted on a district scale. We set out to or- ganize similar caucuses in Locals 1-80, 1-363, 1-85 and also partici- pated in the calling of the first caucus meeting in Local 1-357 in New Westminster. dn the case of the New West- minster caucus, their first meet- ing was a major victory when they forced the LPP leadership of the union at that time to hold a new election of the delegates for the CCL Convention im 1944. Sue- eess was also recorded to some degree in other locals. .. The LPP dominated leadership in the various locals and districts became quite panicky when evi- dence of the strong opposition ap- ret In their panic, Johnny lander, member of Local 1-80, Was suspended without trial and we were successful after going through all the constitutional re- quirements in having him rein- stated. Tn the ease of Local 1-85, we le one ie oie Seater Re larly charged, was finally brought to trial and the trial was dropped, due to the fact that the jury was not fully constituted as | f: x on the international con- st . The LPP - dominated ip saw fit to try one of brothers by a jury composed members. It was the coheed Gay a together those rank ani on a disrict scale, with the in mind to cay our of on to a successful restore democracy Fighting Membership Proud Of Record In The New IWA The Vancouver Local of the IWA is nearing the premier posi- rry | gotiations, is to understand the strength of There are many members that could be mentioned for their un- tiring efforts to carry out to a successful conclusion the struggle that we embarked upon. Space does not permit, but mention should be made of the efforts of Whalen, Mike Sekora, Eddie Ralph New, Cyril Clarkson, Lloyd Hyde, Harry Green, Jack Stevens, H. Patton, Earl Kearstead, etc. George Freese of M. B. King, Harry Green and J. Cummins of CWP and Mike ‘Sekora who was working at the B.C, Fir & Cedar. Early in, 1945, Mike became the member of the International Organizational staff and was delegated to carry on organiza- tional work in the province of B,C, and eventually im Eastern Canada. He eventually became a member of B.C. Executive Board and the district negotiating com- mittee at the time of the 1946 strike and also in 1947, being an anti-LPP and strong supporter of rank and file democracy. _ The Pritchett crowd, time and time again, tried to have him re- moved from the payroll as Inter- national Organizer without suc- cess. Special mention should be made of the untiring efforts of Cyril Clarkson and his endeavors to expose the financial skull-dug- gery that was going on in our union by our former leadership. During the 1946 strike, Bro. Robert Watters joined the rank and file caueus and brought the message of our struggle to the hundreds of workers in the MIL Plywood Plant where he was working at that time, Many more of the members Joined ‘the rank and file caucus during the year 1945 and 1946, especially at the time of negotia- tions of the 1944-45 agreement when it became quite evident to a large section of the member- ship, that Tim Buck and McKen- zie King were in bed together. Soviet Russia had, of course, en- tered the war at that time, and so keen were the Pritchett crowd to give support to Soviet interests that, hand in glove with the boss, they sold labor out, During those years, the Labor Movement could have easily won many concessions. The Pritchett faction eyen removed from the Lumber Worker mention of the number of deaths in the wood- working industry, so that the boss would not feel too guilty about the loggers and sawmill workers he was killing and injur- ing each month, The membership ‘was sold out in the course of ne- The membership had instructed ‘the leadership of the District ) and Stuart Hodgson newly elected President and Financial Secretary, Local 1- 217, Vancouyer. Vancouver Local 1949 Officers Installed In an enthusiastic en- dorsement of the provisional officers appointed in October, members of Local 1-217 IWA returned nine to office in_ the ballot for the 1949 officers reported upon at last Sunday’s meeting in the Ar- cadian Hall. The Balloting Committee submitted a report on the referendum ballot conducted during the past month, and the following were declared elected: President, Lloyd Whalen, (1780 votes). 1st Vice-President: Har- ry Green (1422 votes). 2nd Vice-President: Bill Gray (1136 votes). Financial Secretary: Stu- art Hodgson (1509 votes). Recording Secretary: Tom MacKenzie (1931 votes). Warden: John Busch (1874 votes). Conductor: Robert Wat- ters (1918 votes). Trustees: Cleve Austin Cyril Clarkson (1161 votes); Stan Stanton 1077 votes). The newly elected officers were obligated and installed by Bro. Virgil Burtz, Inter- national Research Director, who in his remarks outlined the organizational and re- search plans in preparation for the wage negotiations in 1949, Approval was given plans to conduct the balloting for District Officers which will else! be held in sll plants Feb. 28, on Page 7) | March 1 and i almrieianie LOCAL 1-85 -/"FADLING PRAISES — MEMBERSHIP CONTROL “This Annual Meeting of Local 1-85 is proof that TWA members, with splendid loy- alty to trade union prin- ciples, have regained con- trol of their own organiza- tion”, stated International ‘|President J. E. Fadling, when greeted by a large and enthusiastic attendance of IWA members in Port Al- i|berni last Sunday. District President J. Stewart Als- bury also addressed the ga- thering, after the official welcome from Mayor Jordan, Port Alberni, and Mayor Hills, Alberni. District President Alsbury, upon re- turn to Vancouver, declared the meet- ing to be “the largest and most en- thusiasti¢ ever held by the IWA in the area’ of Port Alberni.” “The discussion on the IWA pro- gram revealed an awakened interest in the democratic control of our or- ganization, and an independence which gives every promise of healthy growth in the future.” ore At the conclusion of the business session, during which the officers of the ensuing vear were nominated, the members adjourned to a banquet pre- pared by the ladies’ committee. Over three hundred members were seated and served with a dinner, which in the vote of thanks to the ladies they unanimously declared to be the most satisfying on record. Guest speaker of the occasion was Elmore Philpott, Vancouver Sun col- umnist, who dealt with the role of organized labor in the building of world peace. International President Fadling, in complimenting the Local organization on thé evidence of growth and strength, outlined the results achieved by the IWA through the present pro- gram of organization. "The prestige of the IWA in the Pacific North West has never been higher,” he stated. SIWA- members will ‘get a square deal this time at the Wages and Con. tract Conference in March,” promised District President Alsbury in his re- marks. “We will correct the errors made in 1948, due to the betrayal of the former officials, There will be no change this time from the terms laid down by the delegates. The Board rates will be included, and the next round of wage increases negotiated with undivided purpose.” District President Alsbury disclosed that plans are under consideration for the Wages and Contract conference to be held the last week-end in March or the first week-end in April. At least two days will be de- yoted to this all-important question. The District Execu- tive Board will meet on the first day, and will be followed by a meeting of the District Coun- cil, whose delegates will be em- powered by the Locals to deal with the wage position. Local 1-363 betes Executive Nominations Received Nominations for Executive of- fices in Local 1-363 were received at a well-attended meeting Cour- tenay, Feb.6, Bro. S. Wessberg was clected as District Board Member. The meeting was addressed by District President J. Stewart Als- bury, who reported fully on the Tron River episode, and on the legal proceedings launched by the District Office to recover the funds and assets of the IWA. His report on. the achievements of the convention was supple- mented by a more detailed report by the delegates to the conven- tion. Marked enthusiasm was evi- dent at the progress made by the IWA in British Columbia. Plans were made to participate in the Wages and Contract Conference. A safety report made by Bro. Gordon McEntee was well re- ceived and discussed. A proposal to appoint a local political action committee was negatived, A standing balloting committee was appointed to conduct local and district referendum voting, Bros. R. Manning, O. Herridin, and L: Carlstrand. Delegates elected to the Wages and Contract Confer- ence were, Bros. G. McEntree, E. Lidberg, G. Widen, and J. Holts. Local 1-71 ORGANIZATIONAL DRIVE BEGINS Organization of the logging camps upon reopening was under- taken during the past week by Bros. Jim McEwan, Mike Sekora and George Home, Secretary of the B.C. Federation of Labor. During the latter part of the trip they were accompanied by Bro. Joe Madden. In their visit to Holberg’s Camp, found to be operating with 270 men, 60 members were signed up, and additional names are be- ing forwarded. Other camps visited were those at Alice Lake, B.C. Forest Pro- ducts, Camp A, Nimpkish, Beach and Beaver Cove. At all points full support of the IWA was evi- dent at the meetings. ‘As a result of. organization work which is keeping pace with camp re-openings, Local 1-71. is rapidly. gaining in membership strength. H. Q. Staff for the “Loggers’ Local”, 1-71 IWA, prepare for organ- ization drive. From left—Leo Young, Secretary; Miss Nancy Simp- son; Jim McEwan, President, and Mrs. Grace Krause. Local 1-217 IWA—Eburne Mill At the well-attended plant meeting held in the IOOF Hall in Marpole, Bro. Don Stickney was elected as Executive Board mem- her, % Bro. Bill (Scotty) Irving is rogressing well after his acci- dene Bro. John Schmuland will require another month for treat- ment of a broken hand. Bertrand Claybo, shop steward at Lions Gate Lumber, (1-217) suf- fered serious internal injuries when three loads of lumber fell on him, on February 9. The super- intendent was also hurt in the ac- . cident, but not so seriously as Brother Claybo, : A week previously, chief shop Lumber, was injured wile work: mber, was inju = ing om fie tog dace A log rolled on him, causing a broken leg.