B.C.

LUMBER WORKER

Page Five

IWA CASE

FOLLowinc are excerpts from a statement prepared for

THE TRUCK LOGGER on request, by J. Stewart Alsbury,
District President, LWA, and approved by the District Executive

Board, IWA.

IWA recognizes the desirability of establishing con-
ditions in the lumber industry which would permit long-
range planning and improve efficiency in production meth-
ods. At the same time we submit, that labor-management
relations are not the sole determining factor in this re-

pect. Other conditions, exclusively within the jurisdiction fF:

f management, are essential to equate production and
lemand in such a manner as to facilitate sound planning
of investment. P
Quite apart from labor costs, and as a general rule,

capital investment plans, which reduce production costs
and eliminate waste, can improve the position of the indus-
try in a competitive market over a period-of years.

_ Over-all policies of development, production methods,
and prices might easily prove as great a deterrent to stabil-
ization as any uncertainty regarding labor costs.

Bargain in Good Faith.

RATES of pay, hours of work, and other conditions of
employment are determined by the process of, collective
bargaining. In all such bargaining this Union has urged
those conditions which would offer the workers the best
possible incentive in employment, and the opportunity to
arn income with which they may maintain acceptable
tandards of living.

We have bargained in good faith. If the employers j

likewise bargain in good faith, they need have little fear
of dislocation in production due to the action of organized
labor.

It is only when the Union faces a breach of good faith,

that it resorts to strike action as the only alternative left (x.

when an equitable bargain cannot be reached.

The approach of the employers and the Union as the
certified agent of the employees, thus becomes of para-
mount importance if harmoniqus and stable relations are
the mutual aim.

Investment in Welfare

ONE condition expected by the Union in bargaining is|}

that the industry should accept responsibility for the
highest possible standards of welfare among its employees
as are made possible by the resources of the industry. If
profits are accumulating, this responsibility is all the more
apparent.

An investment to safeguard the well-being of the work-
ers in the industry is, in our opinion, of equal importance
with investment in the modernization of equipment. Both
represent progress in the industry.

If this principle is accepted during bargaining between
employers and employees, an amicable settlement is always
made possible.

‘Longer Contracts Possible - If...

WOULD direct your attention to proposals already made
by this Union, and which were designed to achieve
greater stability in the industry.

We have urged that the termination date of the master
contract be fixed for a date earlier in the year, in order
that employers and employees could bargain at a time that
would be mutually advantageous in making plans for the
year.

In this connection, I point out that the termination
clause of the master contract can provide for the automatic
renewal of the contract, if conditions arg mutually accept-
able, without any of the uncertainties of negotiations.

I am confident, that if the workers could be, assured of
satisfactory conditions of employment, they would be pre-
pared to consider a contract for a period longer than one
year, especially as other trade unions have negotiated
similar contracts.

Union Shop Best Bet. <

jt Is undeniable, on the basis of experience in other in-

dustries, that union shop conditions contribute to sta-
bility. When the Union is freed from the necessity of bat-
tling for its status as the bargaining agent for the em-
ployees, from that date forward the Union is encouraged
to-devote its energies to promoting conditions of stability.

More than anything else, the union shop alleviates any
atmosphere of strife.

The hazards of employment in the lumber industry in
B. C. are greater than in any other basic industry. For this
reason we have proposed that the employers consider the
introduction of a health and welfare plan.

Apart from the humanitarian reasons, the continuing
benefits of such a plan would provide the workers with a
real stake in the prosperity of the industry.

With reference to fluctuating economic conditions, I
point to the fact that every step taken by management to
improve the purchasing power and the living standards
of the lumber workers in this province, also tends to im-
prove the markets for lumber products, domestic and ex-
port.

Thanks From
A Miner

The Editor:

I wish to take this opportunity
to thank Local 1-363 of the IWA,
especially J. Holst, financial sec-
retary, for the help given me in
establishing my claim for com-
pensation.

My injury dates back to 1943,
and I have been unable to estab-
lish a claim for same till Oct.
1949, which I did through the I-
WA. I have now received my
pension, also back’ pension to
Nov. 1947. -

I would like to have this letter

printed to show that the IWA IS
HELPING even non-members.

David Logan,
Cumberland, B.C.

KERSTEN’S &
GOWANLOCK
TIRE LIMITED
Tire Recapping,
Repairing and Balencing
Wheels

865 Columbia St.
Phone: N.W. 4466

ee

SUPPORT OUR
_ ADVERTISERS

Secretary of the B.C. Federation | fal
of Labor and CCF candidate for
alderman, in Vancouver.

Support Candidates Who Have Labour's Interests
At Heart!

Yee VOTE LABOUR
When you VOTE CCF!

VOTE THE WHOLE CCF SLATE

VANCOUVER CIVIC ELECTIONS
DECEMBER 14

School. Board Parks Board
Spragg, Ken K. Gibson,

Aldermen
Cameron, Colin

Cemeron, Peter, Geo. N.
Wm. J. Raymond Greenway,

Home, George Wybourn, Geo. J.

(Ald) | Sid. T. MacLean,
Jamieson, Norm.
Laura

PUBLISHED BY VANCOUVER LABOUR ‘COUNCIL CCL

FLY‘
It May Cost Lese Than You Vhink

CHARTER FLIGHT SERVICE LTD.

VANCOUVER AIRPORT
© PHONE RICHMOND 1449 @
ONE, THREE, AND SIX-PASSENGER PLANES
Phone or Write For Information.

© UNION-MADE
jor te Union Trade

MADE IN B.C.

In our 100% Union Shop, we have been manufacturing Quality
Work Gloves for over twenty years. Treen Gloves are built to
YOUR needs . . . to give you the greatest value for your money.
When you buy Treen Work Gloves, there's

@ GREATER COMFORT — LONGER WEAR
GUARANTEED IN EVERY PAIR!

TREEN GLOVE COMPANY LTD.

220 WEST BROADWAY VANCOUVER,