Page Four B.C. LUMBER WORKER Commonsense SHREWD common-sense featured the discussions by Coast IWA members preceding the emphatic majority endorsation of the interim contract. The judgment of the District Policy Committee was completely vindicated. Two clear-cut alternatives were presented—acceptance of gains made or rejection and resort to the strike ballot. Under the autonomy enjoyed by the Locals, full opportun- ity was given for a democratic expression of IVA mem- bers in mills and logging camps. That the whole question was thoroughly and often hotly debated is a matter for gratification as revealing 4 healthy atmosphere within the Union. The Policy Commit- . tee was required to give adequate reasons for every move made in bargaining ‘at each stage. {7 IS now apparent that IWA members fully appreciated the value of maintaing an industry-wide agreeemnt, _ affording protection to the more exposed sections of the industry. pat They were also aware of the dangers which threatened in the determination of the operators to reduce wages and || extend the hours of work. * Gains made in provisions for reduced board rates, pro- tection of bargaining rights, accident prevention safe- guards, seniority rights, and an earlier termination date were given full value, because of the surrounding circum- stances in the industry. The Union had two primary responsibilities during the past few months. It was necessary to remedy the confu- sion caused by renegade officers last October. It was also necessary to repair the consequénces of their incompe-||f tency in previous negotiations. "THE IWA has surmounted ‘these obstacles, and at the same time has made substantial progress. It is not a matter of hats: off to the past, but rather coats off to the future. , As every sober-minded lumber worker realized who took part in recent discussions, the final show-down with the operators to secure the full objectives of the Union lies just ahead. A test of strength on the picket line requires full or- ganized strength and solidarity on the job. It requires careful timing. . Now is the time to prepare. With a one hundred per cent organization, there can be only one result. Pitching “Wooies”! ’THE final pretence on the part of the WIUC leaders to maintain any legitimate form of trade union organiza- tion has now.crumbled. A number of certifications had been applied for in the Cranbrook area to create the impression that the area was a stronghold for the LPP-Communist splinter group. It was known that the IWA had not been able to conduct effective organization in that district,-and evidently it was hoped that certifications would be granted without a vote of the employees concerned.’ The WIUC myth has been debunked by recent organ- izational activities of the IWA. All operations were visited where certifications had been applied for, without discov- ering any vestige of WIUC organization. Lumber workers hailed the opportunity to join the IWA, and explained that some had given temporary sup- port to the WIUC only because of gross misrepresenta- tions placed in circulation. Once more the tactics of the WIUC conspirators stand revealed as without any sincere purpose to form a trade union. These tactics were devised solely to destroy the IWA, and disorganize the lumber industry for Communist ends. : WATSON’S ~ LEATHER GLOVES First Choice with B. C. Loggers for over 30 years. No. 511 Sold by All Leading Stores and Camp Commissaries JOHN WATSON LIMITED Vancouver, B. C. \\ wooPWORKEeRs THE GLAD HAND 7 eed —~ fl YOU SAID 17; BROTHER Dear Non-Member:— This is an open letter to you. Read it carefully. In the course of men’s strug- gles through the years to secure a higher standard of living, bet- ter working conditions, higher wages, and that co-operation so much desired by men in working for a common cause, the patience of the workers has been unlim- ited. This present situation, fellow- workers, did not come about through’ those who refused to JOIN THE UNION, (giving sun- dry reasons for their inaction). Take Thought Most of these reasons are easily overcome, including the small matter of dues, : Have you ever given thought to this, as you punched the clock at the end of a forty-hour week? Have you wondered how you got that grievance settled by the IW- A shop committee, even when you didn’t belong to -the Union? Have you asked where all this seniority stuff comes from, or have you forgotten when men got their walking papers, and had no come-back? Certainly it wasn’t done by men refusing to join the Union, or to give their mental, moral, active and financial support. Can YOU look in the eye of your Union member on the job next to you, and say, “I’m doing my share to further the cause of the working stiff.” Or do you say to yourself, “Why should I join the Union and give them two bucks a month, run my legs off, take a lot of dirt, etc.” Or, “Why should I stick my neck out? That’s what the shop stewards are for, and after all the plant is certified, and they have to represent me the same as any UNION member.” . Play Ball Think it over, brother workers. Are YOU playing ball with the IWA? Let your conscience be your guide. Then I know -you will come through, Get in touch with your shop steward or one of your plant committee or one of your local officers, and GET ON , THAT CHECK-OFF, Osen Letters... N o 1 -- To “Non-Union” Now as never before your help is needed. Active, reliable and ca- pable shop stewards are required. YOU may be just the man for are you big enough to work for 1H) I must tell you the pay is small, the demands are big, but the gains we’ve made surely prove you'll still be well paid. Think it over, boys. Every time a man signs a check-off slip we are that much closer to the Union shop. W. Carl Mertz, the job. The IWA has worked for you, IWA Plant Committee, Canadian White Pine. LET THE CHIPS * * FALL x * by Woody Woodpecher No. 2 ---To “ Anti-Union” Dear Mr. Cates :— _ At the time of your appointment as Minister of Labour in the Coalition Cabinet, it was explained that you knew the problems of organized labour. Organized labour has now the right to expect you to deal sympathetically with those problems. The trade unions would like something more than amiable back-slap- ping. Even though you are a Minister of the Crown, you are responsible through the Legislature to the people for the administration of the law governing labour relations. That’s the British parliamentary system. Labour makes up the most of the people. : You cannot sidestep your responsibilities by any rig- marole about special powers conferred on the Labor Rela- tions Board. The members of the Board get their salaries only when you recommend payment to the Legislature. You have the power to insist that they perform their duties satisfactorily. \ 5 One function of the Board is administration of even- handed justice in the protecti att