Page Four B.C. LUMBER WORKER Thirteenth Milestone DURING the recent International IWA Conyention, Lo- cal delegates were heard to remark frequently, “I’ve learned more about the IWA this week, than ever before.” This comment was usually tinged with appreciation of the lusty democratic vitality of the Union, and its right to command the loyalty of the membership, Those who participated for the first time in an inter- national convention quickly realized the magnitude of the problems in building a cohesive workers’ organization in . the lumber industry. There was little time for carping criticism in the midst of a great constructive endeavor. An International woodworkers union is a vital part of the pattern of productivity in one of the basic industries on this continent. As such it bears a large responsibility for national welfare. _. .The convention demonstrated that it felt this respons- ibility sincerely. * E outstanding characteristic of the convention pro- ceedings was the business-like determination to develop unified strength as a means to accomplish satisfactory standards of living and working. Commonsense measures were taken to consolidate or- ganization strength, and extend organization among the unorganized. A renewed confidence in the organization will stimulate this expansion. , Workers do not live by wage rates alone—hence the emphasis on social security programs in Canada and the United States. The gravy-train politicians might well take warning from the expressed determination of the lumber workers to back up their views with organized and independent political action on both sides of the border. Discussion of international affairs revealed an aware- ness of the perils confronting the democracies of the West- ern world, and the realization that prosperity on this con- tinent niust be shared with good world neighbors. The spirit and high resolves of the convention were heart-warming. Labor in lumber is marching toward still more impor- tant achievements. cis - Happy Anniversary NE year has elapsed since tlie treacherous, back-stairs plot to wreck the IWA in B.C. October, 1949, finds the IWA in B.C. stronger, healthier, and with a new vigorous trade union democracy. The plot that failed in its original purpose to divide Canadian and American lumber workers has brought one beneficial result. It has purged the IWA in B.C. of Communist-wired political juntas, and returned full control of the Union to the rank and file membership. The record of the past year is a record of solid achieve- ment. Events of the past two weeks give indisputable proof of this. The IWA has negotiated and secured master agree- ments for the entire lumber industry in B.C., successfully blocking the determined wage-cutting program of the op- erators. B.C. District IWA, on the basis of it’s dues-paying membership had the largest district delegation at the re- cent International convention. In addition a strong delega- tion from IWA Locals is in attendance at the CCL Con- vention in Ottawa. Once more, sound trade union principles have tri- umphed over the sinister intrigue of the puppets of the Kremlin. WORKERS !! POLITICAL INACTION means GOVERNMENT INACTION on HOUSING, HEALTH, PENSIONS and UNION SECURITY . and : f LIBERAL GOVERNMENT ACTION for ANTL-LABOR LEGISLATION THE CCF FIGHTS FOR LABOR ALWAYS! We APPEAL for YOUR support, FUNDS, VOLUNTEERS, CARS! VOTE RON IRVINE, OCT. 24 New Westminster CCF By-Election Committee Telephone N.W. 38 New Westminster, B. C. 603 Clarkson Street “OPEN LETTE 0 THE “WOOIES” May I offer my thanks for the recent honors you conferred on me. It is not every union man who is singled out in your rag, the WIUC paper, though usually patriotic men who are sincerely trying to strengthen a union de- voted to the best interests of men engaged in the lumber industry in B.C. Your attack on me is so child- ish, so obviously a part of a smear campaign conducted by “reds” everywhere, that I hesi- tate even to answer it. However, if you are to continue, I hope that jn the future you will be a little more honest, and a little more fundamental. You attack me on the ground of religion. The dishonesty and maliciousness of such a tactic could hardly be more apparent. You want to make it appear that there is some conflict between my religion and duties as a member of the IWA. In an attempt to set one member against another in our union, you even stoop so low as to stir up religious discord. You claim a certain religious group is trying to get control of the IWA. Why don’t you guys smarten up? The same member- ship that kicked you out, would do likewise to any other selfish group. What clearly demon- strates your crookedness, how- ever, is that there exists no ac- tion’ group within any religious body, that could take over a la- bor union. My religion teaches men to be honest, truthful and just, some- thing that would be.a novelty to your gang. It also teaches that I may demand what is rightfully my own, namely a decent stand- ard of living. Your aause cannot be just, when you have to resort to slan- der, smears and deceit to prom- ote it. You even sacrifice one of the principles of a trade union- ist, namely, equality of race, color and creed. Just remember one thing. We of the IWA are of many religions. We are of many racial origins. We are even divided in our poli- tical affiliations, But we are all Canadians, and we seek to-make of our Union an instrument for the promotion of better working conditions in Canada, and better rewards for our labor. Crawl back, wise guys, under from which you have emerged. But thanks, anyway, for your phony efforts. Fred Fieber. your wet leaves of Communism} More Gains For Cranbrook Local Another two of the major op- erations in the Nelson-Cranbrook area have been signed up 100% IWA, despite claims formerly made that they were WIUG- wired. IWA Organizers now concen- trating on this area, report a re- markable absence of WIUC sup- port in a district reputed to be a stronghold for the outlaw “union”. They are working over- time to keep pace with the nu- merous demands to visit opera- tions and accept applications to join or re-join the IWA, .. With an office now established in Cranbrook as the focal point of organization, the re-consti- tuted Cranbrook Local 1-405, is making remarkable headway. “All For One!” V.I. BOUNDARIES EXAMINED Boundaries fixing the jurisdic- tion of IWA Locals on Vancouver Island were examined by a spec- ial committee which met in Na- naimo, October 3. Committee members were, Fred Fieber, Local 1-71; Roy Whittle, Local 1-118; Joe Morris, Presi- dent, Local 1-80, J. Holst, Local A report containing the recom- mendations of the Committee will be submitted to the quarterly meeting of the B.C. District Council, October 15-16. Consid- reration will also be given the question of any transfer of cer- tifications in compliance with the regulations of the Labor Rela- tions Board. trade union on the job, chett to demand revision of on the Coast. dropping out of the boat. * in hand. Only the third International Convention. the Deep South hospitable hostels. LET THE CHIPS FALL by Woody Weodlpecksen “THOSE whom the Gods would destroy, they first make mad”, runs the old adage. On this basis the scribes for the hit-and-run sheet of the WIUC must be at their last gasp. Their latest four-pager runs riot with the gib- berish of abuse, seldom heard outside Essondale. It could be schizophrenia, which Mr. Webster says is a type of insanity characterized by loss of contact with one’s environment and disintegration of the personality, grelading othen ees of Aa ertainly they have lost all contact with reality. They even expect that their delusions an risies will be accepted by other people. What else can be said of the mentality of those who call for united and militant action on the devote all their energies to slanderous abuse of the only can’t even get certification for = OW we know that squalor and race prejudice go hand job while they Only illusions of grandeur would prompt Harold Prit- the IWA contract, when he one good-sized operation Every time he opens his mouth he puts his f in i How does one explain his crying and blubbenae. a cause he thinks the IWA membership ain’t what it ought to be, when the WIUC membership just The great champions of civil stoop to the vilest insinuations gious convictions of active and sincere ioni: They see only what people trade ‘unioula sewers in glass-bottomed boats, be- ) ain’t. rights and liberties now against the personal reli- see who travel through and now the bottom is Es \ rate hotels in Vancouver de- nied accommodation to negro delegates attending the IWA By this strange phenomenon our colored brothers from were spared the discomfort of the less 1-363, and J. Squire, Local 1-85. \__