B.C. LUMBER WORKER Page Thiee “Profits” —from page 1 “Traitor” Dalskog Aids Boss set by the refusal of employers’ counsel, W. H. Heffernan, to ex- change briefs with IWA spokes- man Tom MacKenzie in order to expedite the hearings. This ac- tion described by Board member Gargrave as a “dog in the man- ger” attitude, intended to place the Union at a disadvantage, re- Qe in a two-day adjournment ‘Monday to enable preparation of the Union’s rebuttal. Members of the IWA Policy Committee flanked Tom MacKen- zie, International Board member, as he opened the IWA summary of argument supporting the union demands on Friday. International Research Director, Virgil Burtz, argued the IWA case for in- creased wages, union security, and a welfare’ plan, introducing a 10,000-word brief of well-docu- mented evidence. Point by point, the IWA position on each matter under dispute was explained and the feasibility of TWA demands demonstrated. On Monday, the Board heard a yoluminous brief prepared by R. Y. Stuart and ‘associates, which outlined a ruinous future for the lumber industry and demanded in leu of improved living condi- tions, still further sacrifices from already, hard pressed lumber workers. Ernie Dalskog was again quot- ‘ed as stating in his famous leaf- let of 1948, that the IWA enjoys “the best wages and working conditions of any major trade union in Canada” and the demand of a ‘bond against non-fulfilment of the agreement was renewed. The general tone of the brief presented on behalf of the opera- tors was that nothing better than the terms of the 1947 contract would even be considered for the next ‘twelve months, The pretext given was market uncertainties. The effect of their proposal would be to reduce the present basic wage rate from $1.08 to 95 cents and to almost ‘halve the earrings of piece workers in the ‘shingle mills. As IWA Committee members «withdrew for purposes of consul- tution and preparation for Thurs- day’s rebuttal, they stated, “the arbitrary terms which the opera- ttors have attempted to dictate tend to destroy confidence in col- ‘lective bargaining procedures”. A summary of [WA demands sand argument with the operators’ ‘counter-proposals follows: WAGES ._ IWA Demand: A fifteen cent an hour increase across the board, with a guaranteed daily minimum for fallers, ‘buckers, shingle sawyers, and shingle packers on piece rates. _ IWA Argument: Increased liv- ling costs have wiped out wage inereases of the last two years. The operators have enjoyed three years of unprecedented profits, in some instances 600% higher 4am 1948 than in 1946, Adjustment of lumber prices and improved management in production would maintain a satisfactory market, and reasonable profits. Better distribution of income would: aid general prosperity. Operators’ Proposals: Lumber workers are already well paid.! Export orders may decline. Some! ‘operations have closed down with | 4000 men out of work. The in- dustry cannot maintain wage xates higher than those in effect in 1947, with a base rate of 95 cents an hour. ‘ Output per man hour in the industry has declined. Shingle sawyers to get 48c and 38¢ a square, packers 33%4¢ a square with 8%ce per square in lieu of the 1946-47, consolidated wage in- crease of 2736 cents an hour. Cannot allow contract workers to reduce productivity at the ex- pense of the companies. UNION SECURITY IWA Demand. A union shop clause in the contract. ; EWA Argument. The union shop is the democratic develop- ment of sound collective hargain- ing, The union shop principle has now eared general recognition in Canada and the United States It_would tend to stabilize indus. trial relations and maintain in- dustrial harmony. Operators’ Proposals. No union shop or any Zorm of union secur- ity under any consideration. It would provoke illegal strikes. It would cause chaos in the indus- fry. The lumber workers now have two unions, waging a juris- dictional conflict. The union shop would “blacklist” those outside the TWA. It would be a violation of democratic rights. HEALTH AND WELFARE IWA Proposal. Employer-paid Health and Welfare program covering complete hospitalization, surgical and medical care; sick Jeave at $20 a week, and $1000 insurance for death and dismem- berment. i IWA Argument, Lumber work- ers are now unable to make satis- factory provision for medical care, Improved health protection would improve production. In- adequate protection is now pro- vided against unusual health ha- zards of the industry. It would prove a good investment for the industry. Operators’ Proposals. No con- sideration of a Health Plan. Re- ference made to proposed Gov- ernment plans. It would cost $8 million, and would not therefore be practicable in a diversified in- dustry. BOARD RATES IWA Demand, Reduction to former rate of $1.50 a day. IWA Argument. Boost to $2.50 rate in 1948 wiped out wage in- crease and was forced on union without consultation, Employers should ndt make profit out of \catering. Lower rates charged in United States, where living costs are higher. Operators’ Proposals. Opera- tors are now losing money on present board rate of $2.50 a day. at the rate of 68 cents per day. If food costs continue to rise, ‘operators should be free to fur- ther increase these charges for ‘board and lodging. STATUTORY HOLIDAYS IWA Demand. Nine paid sta- ‘tutory holidays. * IWA Argument. Provision would maintain average of week- ly earrings. Without pay, holi- days are merely compulsory lay- ‘offs without pay. Lumber work- er should be enabled to freely participate in community, patri- otic and religious observances. Pr. George By J. Stewart Alsbury Having just returned from a trip to Prince George and sur- rounding area with Bro. Don McShane, Business Agent of Lo- cal 1-357, I am full of enthusiasm for what I found. Everywhere we were well re- ceived, questioned in detail about the “October” split, the former | IWA officers, what had happened to records and furniture belong- ing to the IWA, the boat, the “Loggers’ Navy”, ete. And everywhere the men were satisfied when the facts were laid before them. They praised the work done by the new offi- cers of the IWA, the IWA pro- gram, also the B.C. Lumber- worker which they think a vast improvement over the old paper. Starting at noon, July 14, we visited the Prince George Plan- ing Mill, and with the assistance of Job Steward, Bro. C. Hender- son, spoke to the crew on nego- tiations for the Interior and the Coast. I also gave them a picture of the whole disaffiliation, and what had transpired to now. That same night we visited Eagle Lake Sawmill at Giscomb. Here we received splendid co- operation from Bro. Joe Faren- hurst, Local President, Bro. C. H. Webb, Recording ‘Secretary Bro. John Erickson, Shop Stew- ard, and Bro. Y! Sato, formerly of Local 1-357, Fraser Mills. Here we again told the “Octo- ber” story andgits aftermath, and outlined plans for the Interior. Next day at noon we visited the B.C. Spruce Sales operations, and assisted by Bro. Ken Wood- cock, gave the boys a report, which was again well received. That night we spoke at the Perey Church Sawmill. Bro. Bill Eckels, the hard-working Shop Steward, arranged the meeting and had a fine turn-out. from column 2 Operators’ Proposals. No paid statutory holidays. Would merely mean a wage increase on the present basic rate of 4.8 cents an ‘hour. HOURS OF WORK IWA Demand. That forty-hour work week be generally enforced. IWA Argument. Existing agreement now violated by shift |work arrangements. Forty-hour week would help to spread avail- able employment. Operators’ Proposals. No change. Employer has right to demand forty-four hour week when considered necessary. Other revisions in the contract were disposed of by the opera-, tors in a similar manner. Fallers and buckers were re- ported to enjoy average earnings ‘of $18.86 a day; shingle sawyers’ and packers’ earnings to range from $9.74 to $16.48 a day. i The bonding clause proposed by the operators would require ithe IWA to post_a sum equiva- jlent to fifty dollars for every member, from which assessment could be made for any damage caused the companies through | non-fulfillment of the agreement. McShane A Dan Baird and his Men’s Furnishings Store in Prince George, spon- sor of the IWA Radio Program over CKPG every Friday. nd Alsbury Tour The same questions were asked and again the Brothers were glad | to get the true story from some- one who had been through the fight. On Sunday, Local 1-424 held their Annual Meeting at Prince George. There was a splendid at- tendance and the financial report j of the Local showed it to be in excellent condition. Again I reported on the past and present affairs of the IWA, and stated it was the wish of the IWA to be 100% in the Interior and at the Coast. On Monday, July 18, we took the train to Sinclair Mills, where we had an audience of over 40. Here again the men were eager to hear the IWA story, and to ask questions, and again they ex- pressed their satisfaction. Chief Shop Steward Bro. Al- bert Nelson, and Shop Steward Bro. Harry Neal, with Secretary, Bro. Ken Schell, worked hard to make the meeting a success, which they did. One of the chief merchants is Ben Baird, who has been in the Cariboo for 36 years, and runs a men’s furnishing. store. As a boy he worked in saw- always been a friend of labor. ‘At the present time he spon- sors the IWA program for Local. 1-424, . ; SAFETY PAYS AT HAMMOND Bill Franklin, Safety Repre- sentative, Local 1-367, reports from Hammond that the safety campaign at B.C. Forest Prod- ucts is in full swing. While they have not hit the jack-pot which is well over $200, for an accident- free month, he says there is 2 determination to get it yet. Mean- time, there is a marked improve- ment in safety conditions. ; In this issue we welcome a new advertiser, Jones Tent and Awning Co. Ltd. This firm’ has requested and secured a special position on the front page, for the next twelve months. The Editorial Board felt justified in authorizing this departure from the usual custom of keep- ing the front-page free from advertising, because Local 1- 217 holds a union shop contract with this firm. For the same reason we hope our readers will give favorable consideration to the products of this firm when mills in Eastern Canada and has making their purchases. HEADS Champion of All Lightweight ° LIGHT CRUISER Caulked Boots © Featuring: High Carbon Steel Oil Tempered Boot Calks FOR SURE GRIP Another Favorite... HEAD'S famous “SAFETY TOE BOOTS” for Mill Workers W. J. 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