Page Four “No Time For Concessions” ‘THIS is the title of an editorial in the “Truck Logger”, official organ of the Truck Loggers’ Association. The time has come says this editorial, to tell labor bluntly that management has no intention of making any conces- sions in 1949 which will add to the cost of production. The editorial goes on to say that British Columbia lumber is now priced too high for the world markets and suggests that this is caused by the high wages paid in the industry. Since the operators want to talk bluntly, we had bet- B.C. LUMBER WORKER TOUGH 40° 3 ter follow suit, and tell them that the lumberworkers have ||” no intention of subsidizing the high profits which have priced them out of the market. FOR every dollar paid out in wages in the industry the operators pocket 65 cents in net profit. One corporation revealed in its financial report that it had made, in 1948, a net profit of $1700 out of the work of every employee. Since the average earnings of those employees were $2600, it is not hard to see why the markets for British Columbia lumber are disappearing. And what is this talk of “concessions”? The people of British Columbia, and the lumberworkers are part of them, own the resources these people make their money out of. ‘The lumberworkers provide the labor which pro- duces wealth from those resources. We aré the people to make or withold concessions, and ‘we are not making any concessions to profiteering. Bill 39 - Strihebreaher E Island Freight Service Ltd. whose employees have been.on strike on Vancouver Island, has made an offer through the Labor Relations Board of a 7-cent increase. - The Board attempted to go over the heads of the union and put this offer to a vote,; under Section 31 (c) of the LC.A. Act. This is one of the sections to which organized labor has strenuously objected, the last occasion being in the brief presented by the B.C. Federation of Labor to the provincial cabinet this year. i reasons for these objections now become plain. The truck drivers of the Island Freight have been on strike for several weeks. With the support of other unions, in- cluding the IWA, and the general public, they are now within reach of victory. If the morale of the strikers can be maintained for a short time longer that victory will be assured. The pres- ent action of the Labor Relations Board is calculated to break down that morale and afford the opportunity to stampede the weaker members. By taking such action the Labor Relations Board adds to the already widespread resentment it has incurred in the ranks of labor. Seamens Shihke By James Bury, Secretary, Vancouver Labor Council E dispute of the CSU and the.shipping companies is one that demands clear thinking and immediate, coura- geous action on the part of the AFL. Two unions are involyed—one the Canadian Seamen’s Union, a direct Trades and Labor Congress affiliate, and one the Seafarer’s International Union, affiliated to the AFL and, in some places, to the Trades and Labor Council. The details of the background that led up to the dispute are long and involved and not clear to us at this time. The actions of the Federal Government since the dis- pute began two years ago have been despicable. Labor Jaws passed by our government have been completely ig- nored, with no protest from those elected by the people to administer such laws, with the exception of the CCF members of Parliament. The shipping companies are doing business, not with the certified bargaining representatives of the employees concerned, but with a group'that has no union members on the ships. involved and is not certified. ‘The Federal Government realizes fully this situation, but is not pre- pared to act. Apparently, laws are made only to serve special interests of our society and the shipping companies fit into that category. Vancouver Labor Council, in a resolution passed at its last meeting of April 12, protested vigorously the “non-intervention” policy of the Federal Government and the union-smashing actions of the shipping companies. We also stand prepared to assist the AFL Labor Council in actions they undertake to give assistance to the strik- ing seamen. Our Council feels that to interfere before the Trades and Labor Council itself makes its position clear, would be wrong. Several strikes that have taken place in the past, with particular reference to the “Province” strike, could have been cleared up quickly to the satisfaction of the members: involved if the Trades and Labor Council had taken a solid trade union position. . We would resent judgment placed on two of our affili- ates in a dispute previous to the CCL itself making a stand. We have been manoeuvred into such a position be- fore and we will not be again. We are, therefore, delaying further action as a Council until we receive word from Orchids The Editor: Delegates to the last Quar- terly Council meeting heard from two delegates some very unfair and biased criticism of the B.C. Lumber Worker. Many of us would have liked to compliment the Editorial staff of the paper, but a full agenda prevented us from doing so. No doubt many brothers feel that there should be some changes here and there. If so, let us tell the Editor, he would probably be glad of our advice. Generally the paper is good. Please accept this letter as a compliment for a job well done. Tony Gargrave, Local 1-217. The Editor: I have been instructed by the Local meeting of Local 1-367 held on’ April 10, 1949, to send a letter of appreciation from our Local to the Editorial Board of the B.C. Lumber Worker. ' We feel that the B.C. Lumber Worker is now a paper well worthy of the praise of every wood worker in B.C., and sin- cerely appreciate the excellent work that has been done in build- ing up the reputation of this paper since it was taken over after disaffliation, Fraternally yours, NEIL E. SHAW, Local 1-367 Bus. Agent. Retort Courteous The Editor: To “One who prefers to remain anonymous.” “My Dear Brother Mertz”: What a lovely salutation! As the words greet my eye, I immediate- ly look at the signature on the article, expecting to find a lot of x’s, as it seemed the tender and endearing words such as these (which of course belied the writ- er’s feelings) were in order for a letter (from) my as yet un- known statesman’s sister “WIU- er”, But, alas, the name was still fictitious. The contents of the article left me at a loss to decide the exact intent of the message it was to convey. Chickens were mentioned, (not a fowl subject at all), but along this line of thought, I may say— a good saying which has often been used, my anonymous former brother, is—‘Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched”. This might well have been taken into consideration in October, 1948. I, and no doubt numerous others, am aware, that the adept- ness of some people to start a the Trades and Labor Council. rumour and watch the damage ~< Your Space Boys! and uncertainty it may cause, be- fore being squelched, is not’ un- derestimated. I’m sure we are also aware of the art of self- inference at which some folks are also adept. For instance, “Nom de Plume” mentioned the Scots- men saying, (a clue perhaps to this Pineco Pete). May I even go further and say I like their Scotch also. But the day I hear any of my Scotch friends (and I might add, I have a few) address their political, union or govern- Readers Vhiwkel ets tiring, doesn’t it?) asks i Tm Sanaa) he didn’t DE- MAND it. I suppose things like this could _ go on and on, but as a final re- mark, I suppose I should feel flattered, or frustrated, or just plain silly, over the warm grect- ing “My Dear Brother Mertz”, His loving cup must be brimful; however, the generosity in mine doesn’t extend to the point of reciprocation. Yours till my mind attains your equal wisdom, I re- ment officials as “Generalissimo” or “Fuhrer”, then I will be only too glad to offer the apology my anonymous “Former Brother” Ne Time te Lose! S this issue goes to press, voters have just ten days to get their names on the voters’ list for the provincial election called for June 15th. ‘ If you are not sure whether you are on the list, con- tact the registrar at the government office in your district —AND DO IT. TODAY. _, if you name has not been registered by May 2nd you will have to sit on the sidelines while other people make the political decisions which will affect your life and that of your family. : It will be no good kicking after the election. The place to register your kick is the polling-booth on election day. LET THE CHIPS FALL by Woody Weadpecher "THE long arm of the law is-really stretching out these days. Ernie Dalskog cools his heels in Oakalla while he thinks about that $130,000, and now the machinery is in motion to send Harold Pritchett and three other WOOBY chieftains to keep him company. This has really got me worried. Y; about the corrupting influences at Oakalla hee oa der how Dalskog and his pals will b i innocence in these aEErounaiees © able to preset aaa __ It will be too bad if they come ished pickpockets, or second-storey artists, peal become marijuana addicts i vietories for the WIUG. “"/ Come out dreaming of MM ND now there has just arrived a " “ine pate, Beale Dalskog has is akalla. In the pamphlet he call, WIUC to get together and divide ie giao oa Just shows what happens to people when they go to jail. Ernie had bette: A $ ue ee ee eet out of there quick or the next stop will main, The name’s the’same, Carl Mertz. message from behind ‘sued a pamphlet from two top IWA officials sent him to jail. Mayl e Justic Manson carries a card in the IWA but it’s news to us.