Page Two

B.C.

‘LUMBER WORKER

Around the Locals

ISLAND CONFERENCE, HEARS
PROGRESS; 1-71 PLANS MEET. |

LOCAL 1-80, IWA
, The Press Committee report-

ing: ®

Stuart Alsbury, District IWA
President, together with Joe Mor-
vis, President of Local 1-80, and
Ernest Boulet visited the Ren-
frew camps last week. “One of
the best trips I’ve had,” reported
Alsbury. Meetings were held at
Bear Creek Camp, Harris Creek
Camp and the Beach Camp.

They report that in all this
area the IWA is firmly estab-
lished and gaining in member-
ship. At the meeting held at
Harris Creek Camp, May 31, the
following committees were el-
ected. ¥

Camp Chairman, Bert Smith;
“Vice-Chairman, E. Briscoe.

Camp Committee: Bert Smith,
Alex Lang, Eric Brisco, Bill Cur-
vie, Howard Shaw and Frank
Hardy.

Safety First Committee: Har-
old Schaible, J. Clinton, J. Cath-
els, K. Loland,'R. 'Giberdson, Ray
Johnson. _

Job Stewards: Howard Shaw,
Red Schaible, Joe Wish, Alex
Laing, L. Holyook, R. Cocklan.

Warden: Dave Burroughs.

IWA Meeting in Courtenay

On June 5th, representatives
from the IWA Local 1-80, 1-85
and 1-363 met in the IWA office
in Courtenay and discussed orga-
Hizational. problems in the vari-
ous locals, and the steady pro-
gress that has been made and is
being made in organizing the un-
organized in the three loggers’
locals on the Island. The meeting
was chaired by Brother Sig Wes-
berg. Stuart Alsbury, President
of District No. 1, IWA, together
with Tom Bradley were also
present and addressed this meet-
ing. Local 1-80 was represented
by Tony Poje and Ed Linder.

C. & W. Employees Back IWA

The employees of the C. & W.
Logging Co. are swinging solidly
to the IWA. Recently Joe Morris
and Tony Poje signed eighteen
of the workers there into the
TWA Local 1-80. In view of the
fact that this is a comparatively
small operation, it is indicative
of the trend of the times, FLASH
. Local 1-80 has been certified as
bargaining agents for employees
of, Dawkin and Owens Sawmill,
at Nanaimo.

Gordon River Visited

Recently representatives of the

IWA Local 1-80 visited Gordon
‘River Camp of the Western For-
est Industries. This camp was in
the main, closed during the win-
ter, but is now runniig again.
Tony Poje, organizer and Ed
Linder, Financial Secretary, and
later Ernest Boulet have recently
visited this tamp. They report
that the workers there signed ap
into the IWA by the score. This
incladéd former WIU members,
who now realize that there is
room for only one organization
of woodworkers in B.C. and that
it is only Jogical-to support the
IWA which has in its member-
ship the vast iiajority of the
woodworkers in this province and
almost all certifications.
__ Congratulations aré due Bro-
ther Joe Morris, Local 1-80 IWA
for successfully tedrganizing
the C.N.W. operation at Pars-
ville.

The WIUC have been trying
for months to get this operation
into their fold; but now“they can
write it off as another dud to
them.

LOCAL 1-363,1WA

An_ Organizational ° Conference
was held on June 5. Delegates
attended from Locals 1-80 and 1+
85 and there were also shop stew-
ards from camps in the Comox
Valley and Campbell River area.

Brother Stewart Alsbury, Dis-
trict President, gave a report on
the condition of the camps in the
Port Renfrew area where he held
very successful meetings re-
cently,

Quite a number of delegates
contributed to the discussion, in-
eluding Bro. J. Squirés and Bro.
Ingram from Port Alberni and
Bros, T. Poje and Ed. Linder of
Local 1-80,

All who attended the confer-
ence exchanged experiences in the

satisfactorily negotiated on be-
half of the employees of Simp-
son-Tretheway.

rate was established where pre-

and many good suggestions were
made to the organizers. Some of
the problems relating to differ-
ent operations in this area were
brought into the discussion by
Bros. E. Lidberg and M. Holt of
the Comox Operation, Bro. G. Mc-
Entee from Elk River Timber-op-
erations and Bro. Charles Widen
of Iron River operation. The gen-
eral organizational problems of
Local 1-363 were reported on by
Bros. S. Wessberg, J. Holst and
Brother Tom Bradley, 1st Vic

It was decided that such con-
ferences will be held regularly
and that all locals should hold
shop steward conferences in their
own areas,

In concluding the conference, it
was pointed out in summing up
the discussion that we can now
show definitely that we have a
larger membership in Locals 1-80
and 1-85 than before the at-
tempted split, with work pro-
gressing very well in the big
camps in 1-368 area.

The next conference will be
held in Nanaimo on July 10,

LOCAL 1-217, IWA

As reported by Financial Sec-
retary Stu Hodgson.

Local 1-217 is bragging this
week over a new record of griev-
ances satisfactorily settled. Shop
stewards and grievance commit-
tees are not missing any bets in
getting action under the agree-
ment in IWA certified plants.
Through this service to the mem-
bers, the union is winning a new
confidence and respect in the
plants, and getting new members
all the time.

Carl Mertz, Chairman of Cana-
dian White Pine Plant Commit-
tee, with Jack Cummins, Shop
Steward told part of the story on
the “Green Gold” radio program
recently. ‘They. weren’t kidding
either. They talked the manage-
ment into a $5000 installation in
the boiler room where previously
the boys had to walk on hot deck-
ing with thick wooden clogs. On
two occasions they got more help
on the green chain when lumber
was coming too fast for the boys
to handle. They really got fast
action on seniority troubles.

A member fired for alleged in-
efficiency on the booming ground
was reinstated with full senior-
ity, and pay for lost time. He
was transferred under another
foreman, when the grievance com-
mittee heard the facts, and the
management‘ learned ‘that the
union was determined that an in-
justice should be rectified.

A similar grievance was set-
tled the same way in Capilano
Shingle Co., when the grievance
committee proved that charges of
inefficiency were groundless.
When the smoke cleared, better
all-round co-operation was evi-
dent, and incidentally more help
was provided to distribute the
work more evenly.

Through the intervention of
Bro. Fred Soon, a Chinese brother
was reinstated.

President Whalen went into ac-
tion with the grievance commit-
tee at Eburne Sawmills, follow-
ing the installation of a Heaps
gang saw. They won an upward
revision of two wage categories
and got extra help on the green
chain.

North Shore Lumber

The WIUC used to crow
about their following in North
Shore Lumber. Twenty new
members signed up with the
TWA in the last three weeks,
and now the IWA has a sub-
stantial majority. :

A_new certification has been
awarded to Local 1-217, IWA,
for the employees of National
Shingle Co.

Negotiations deadlocked for the
employees in the Venetian Blind
Dept. of Jones Tent and Awning.
Recently the employees yoted to
empower the executive to press
their claims for a fifteen cent
wage increase before a Concilia-
tion Board, ‘
Wage scale adjustments were

The IWA basic

organizing of camps and mills

viously it was not enforced.

President of the District Council.q

The Conveyor >

Members of 1-217 have been
congratulating Vic Mauro (MI.
L,) and Bert Fulljames (C.W.P.)
on the fine job they are doing as
Associate Editors of The Con-
veyor. ‘The new edition, printed
by photo-offset, is attractive and
bright, and the contents sparkle
with interest for the 1800 read-
ers at Canadian White Pine and
MeMillan’s Industries Ltd.

The editors complain that an
enterprising member of the staff
of Local 1-217 has proved too
enterprising in his attentions to
an important feature writer on
‘The Conveyor. Miss “Gabby” Sol-
chany, secretary of the M.I.L.
Sub-Local has announced her in-
tention of deserting her present
trade union work to cook for Art
McDougall, the lucky dog. Every
happiness, “Gabby” and Art.

Local 1-85 IWA

Business Agent Jack Squire
reporting:

On the occasion of his transfer
to the Courtenay area, the mem-
bers of this Local desire to com-
pliment International Organizer
George Collis on the sterling as-
sistance rendered by him in. the
successful organization activities
in camps and mills around Port
Alberni, It has been largely due
to his efforts that the Local has
exceeded the strength shown
prior to last September, and that
he can now be spared for another
field of activity.

Following a drowning accident
in the Sarita River, the body of
Brother Lott was recently  re-
covered. It was returned to New
Westminster where funeral ser-
vices were held, Local 1-85 paid
tribute to a highly esteemed
member, by forwarding a wreath
through’ Local 1-357.

Bro, Pete Sterling, Tahsis,
B.C., reporting:

On May 20th, Brother Collis,
of Local 1-85, from Port Alberni,
visited the camp at Tahsis and
held a special meeting in organi-
zation of the IWA. He suggested
that we send the names of offi-
cers elected to you. The meeting
was a huge success, We are very
close to being 100% IWA.

Chairman, Bob Reid; Secretary
Treasurer, P. J. Sperling; Head
Shop Steward, Abe Josephson;
Shop Stewards, Jack Daly, Honk
Boyce, Pete Holmdequist, Louie
Pelequimn; Safety Committee,
Smoky Lassu, Abe Josephson,
Pat Flynn, Von Nasedkin, Ted
Buss (time keeper; Grievance
Committee, Jack Daly, Smoky
Lassu, C,’ Brindleson, Vie Me-
Donald, Joe NasedKkin; Press
Committee, Pete Sperling, F. Me-

oll,

LOCAL 1-71 IWA

Financial Secretary Leo Young
reporting:

A successful meeting was held
in the Sechelt area on June 8th
when George H, Mitchell, District
Secretary-Treasurer, addressed a
group of workers on organization
plans. These will be dealt with
further on the weekend of June
25, in co-operation with Commit-
tees already organized on the
peninsula.

The semi-annual conference of
the loggers Local, IWA, 1-71 will
be held in Vancouver, Arcadian
Hall, 6th and Main, at 2:00 p.m.,
July 3.

All sub-Locals are requested to
eall special meetings to consider
the business before the confer-
ence. One delegate may be elected
who may register the vote of the
actual membership in the camp
if so eredentialled,

‘The meeting will be open to all
members of the Local in good
standing, but’ voting privileges
will be extended only to those
elected as delegates,

‘The agenda for the conference
includes a report on negotiations,
plans for extended organization,
and the election of delegates to
the forthcoming conventions of
the International IWA and the
Canadian Congress of Labor.

ATTEND YOUR UNION
MEETINGS

off, The Local Executive officers

Meetings

Local 1-357 — General meeting
June 26, 7:30 p.m., Canadian Le-
gion Hall, New Westminster.
‘Business: election of 8rd Vice-
president. Address by Jack Web-
ster, Vancouver Sun, on trade
union news reporting.

Local 1-217, IWA — General
meeting June 26, 7:30 p.m., Ar-
eadian Hall, Main and 6th, Van-
couver, Business: report on nego-
tiations.

Local 1-71 IWA—Semi-annual
Conference, Arcadian Hall, 6th &
Main, Vancouver, 2:00 p.m., July
8rd. Business: report on organi-
zation, election delegates to In-
ternational Convention, and CCL
Convention. Report on Negotia-
tions.

LOCAL 1-368 IWA

The organization is progress-
ing well in Salmon River Camp
One. A well attended meeting
was held on June 7th and there
were some additions made to the
Camp and Safety Committees.

At present there’ are 111 men
working in this camp where the
IWA has a definite majority.
The workers are very enthusias-
tie about building the union.

‘There was no difficulty in get-
ting nominations for the Safety
and Camp Committees as every
one seemed anxious to cooperate
and a good discussion followed
on general conditions, in camp
and particularly on safety. *

The following brothers are on
the committees:

Safety Committee — M. Zeoff,
Dave McVey, H. Hoag, G. Mas-
ters, E. Barnes,

Camp Committee— M. Borto-
letto, B. Collier, D. Atchison, P.
Waters, H. Atwell.

Organizer George Collis re-
ports that certification has been
applied for on behalf of the em-
ployees of Beecher Lake Lumber
Co., following a majority vote for
the IWA of those eligible.

LOCAL 1-424 IWA

Interrfational Organizer Carl
Mueller reportin;

Once again I sh to make the
voice heard of Local 1-424, Prince
George area, so as to remind the
people on the coast that we are
still alive and are fighting to the
best of our ability to build the
IWA up in this area to a Local
of which we all can be proud.

Now that all the mills are oper-
ating here, Brother Don McShane
and I are quite busy visiting all
the logging and mill operations
in this area, to get as. many mem-
bers in that we possibly can. For
we well know that to get a de-
cent and solid contract for 1949-
50 we have to have a large and
dependable membership, as we
indeed well realize that the Boss
Loggers of the Northern Interior
won't hand us out anything on a
platter unless we fight and de-
mand it.

We do not ask the impossible
from these gentlemen, but we
only want, what belongs right-
fully to us.

LOCAL 1-118 IWA

Financial Secretary Bernard
Macham reportin;

The 1948-49 master agreement,
including the union shop clause,
was signed with Colwood Mills
Ltd. on June 7. The wage scale
is now being negotiated, This is
a new operation in the Local.
Both shifts at P.W, Sawmills
are now 100% IWA. Organizer
Ed Haw deserves congratulations
for carrying through a fine job
in this plant. The response indi-
cates that the lumber workers in
this area realize the importance
of a united trade union organiza-
tion founded on sound and proven
principles.

LOCAL 1-357 IWA
Financial Secretary Lawrence
Vandale reporting:
Negotiations at Western Crown
Manufacturing Co. Ltd. are still
stalemated, with the added diffi-
culty that 30 men have been laid

lain the circumstances
Feguentad the services of a
ciliation officer. This company
gaged in the production of
enware, claims over-prod
for the market available. It
anticipated that matters will only
be finally settled before a ©
ciliation Board.

airman Pete Heifler, on Pa-
cite Pine sub-Local has been o
obsence of leave due to sickne
in his family. Recording Secre-
tary Rae Eddie has been detained
in Portland in connection with
special work. entrusted to the In-
ternational Board of Trustees,

The intense interest of the
membership in current negotia-
tions has prompted the Executive
Board to purchase fifty new
chairs for the meeting hall. ‘This
eliminates an over-worked excuse
for non-attendance at meetings.

Following the return of Bro,
Joe Madden, ist Vice-president,
to Pacifiie Veneer from his duti
as International Organizer, h
has given energetic assistance to
this sub-Local. He has persuaded
a number of revokees to return
to the IWA fold, and the plant
once more is almost 100% IWA.
‘An outstanding grievance was
cently adjusted at this plant si
curing the $1.17 rate for firemen.
Seniority matters have also been
ironed out.

*« WNetices

Lambert, who is

ly illin the Vancouver
General Hospital, wishes to
locate his relatives in British
Columbia. Anyone knowing
the whereabouts of any rela-
tives of Mr. J. J. Lambert,
please contact IWA office,
426 Main Street, Telephone

PA. 4151, or Mr. Smith,
Room 400, Alcazar Hotel,
Vancouver.

me oie

*

Anybody knowing the
whereabouts of Mr. Bob Mac-
Leod, please contact the TWA
office, 426 Main Street, PA.
4151, Vancouver, or Mr.
Campbell, ‘Telephone, FAir.
2855-Y.

LOCAL 1-423 IWA

Financial Secretary H.
Bruch reporting:

Organization in this area has
been proceeding at a much more
rapid rate since the arrival of
Bro. Peter Berkosha, Interna-
tional Representative IWA. Bro.
Berkosha has visited the Vernon
and Lumby sub-Locals, and is
extending his organizing activi-
ties into the Midway, Greenwood
and Grand Forks area. He reports
revived interest in union actiyi-
ties and an increasing number of
organized operations.

Prompt action was taken by
Bro. Berkosha on arrival to check
up on employers evading the law
in respect of overtime rates.
Lumber workers having com-
plaints were invited to attend at
the Union office with their time
slips. Satisfactory adjustment
was secured in a’/number of cases.

ON THE AIR...

VANCOUVER
600-CJOR, Thurs.
Green Gold - - - - - 7:00 p.m.

1410-CKMO, Thurs.

Labour Headlines - - 7:30 pm.
1410-CKMO, Sun.
CCL Radio Session - 6:45 p.m.

PRINCE GEORGE

550-CKPG, Friday
IWA Program - - - - 6:30 p.m.

J.

PLIDIDLOI OLIN DILLON

met the Labor Relations Board,