in the New Year will be the es- gers of Union shop condi- B.C. LUMBER WORKER PRESIDENT’S COLUMN UNION SHOP FOR some months, this col- umn has provided me with the opportunity to discuss the work and problems of IWA shop stewards. Now, I intend to broaden the discussion to in- clude timely subjects of more general interest to IVA mem- bers at large. It is my hope, that as we liscuss the more important md constructive aims of our ion, we will lay the basis for effective and militant team- work, The IWA shop stewards’ organ- ization is daily - demonstrating a high standard of efficiency on the job. Beginners who , are cheer- ully accepting these important —_ responsibilities Laoag are being coached in their work by the more experi- enced shop stewards. I shall say little more on this specific subject beyond extending my warm congratulations for their splendid service on behalf of the lumber workers. We are confident that their rk will count for important re- sults in the struggle ahead. cS The Union Shop One of our important objectives ions in the lumber industry. We will have to fight for the _ Union shop. The employers have opposed it with determination. It is, , therefore, important that every member should clearly un- derstand why the Union shop will benefit him and his fellow- workers, Each member must be prepared to help break down the prejudice against the Union shop, wherever it is expressed. Each one of us must enthuse fellow-workers over Union shop advantages. ¢ Democratic Contrary to the propaganda of anti-union employers, the Union Shop is democratic. It interferes, neither with the right to work of the employee, nor the legitimate rights of the employer. The worker is quite free to choose whether he wishes to go to work on a Union job, with the wages and working conditions won through the struggles of the Union. Or he may choose to work on a non-union job with its less favorable working conditions. The Union shop is the logical and democratic development of the collective bargaining that is necessary to gain fair wages and decent working conditions. All employees share in the benefits gained by collective bargaining. All should share in the responsibilities. \ Every employee should, through Union membership, share in the decisions made by Union bargaining on his be- half. The Union shop makes this possible. More of this again. And now, to each and every one of you, a Happy Christmas, and the best of everything in the New Year. SAN FRANCISCO — TAILORS — LOANS MONEY ON Suits, Overcoats, etc. Loggers Boots, Sleeping Bags, Suitcases, Radios, Watches and Rings. Expert Watch Repairing Suits and Caulk Boots For Sale. MAIL ORDER Democracy Guaranteed Named to one of three commit- tees set up by the National ClO Executive Board to hear testi- mony of nine International Union heads, regarding: their eligibility to serve on the Board, President J, E. Fadling of the IWA-CIO said he was satisfied that the men in question would be given every opoprtunity to justify their Positions before the Board. “The constitutional _amend- ments adopted by the CIO con- vention are democratic in every respect,” the IWA President said, when he returned to his office here today. “I am sure,” he added, “that those union heads who otherwise would be automa- tically members of the ClO Ex- ecutive Board can be certain of a full hearing on the question of their eligibility to serve on the Board in light of the new consti- tutional requirements.” The amendments adopted by the CIO in dealing with pro. munist and pro-fascist acti within the organization, follow closely a patern set by the IWA- CIO at its convention in Everett, Washington, in 1941, Fadling pointed out. “At this convention we adopted three constitutional amendments for referral to the membership for a referendum vote which barred Communist Party mem- bers, Nazi or Fascists from hold- ing office or membership in the IWA,” Fadling said. “These amendments were approved in the xeferendum vote and have been @ part of our constitution since then.” Profit Splitting The way corporations make big profits dook little, by “splitting” their stock, was illustrated by a report of the Union Carbide and Carbon Company. That huge concern, which has a big part in Uncle Sam’s atomic bomb production, in 1948 netted a $102 million profit, “the largest in its history”. The profit, the report says, amounted to $3.55 on each share of the company’s stock. In April, 1948, however, the company “split” its stock, by giv- ing its owners three new shares for each of their old shares, If it had not been done, the 1948 report would have shown a profit of $10.65 on each of the old shares. That would have looked much higher, to the public, than the $3.55 a share in their re- cent report. ._ if this was not the first “split” in the Union Carbide and Carbon stock, Hooracual profit, on each original share, was even hi; than $10.65. eee This stock splitting has lon; been done by many corporations, That’s one reason why their profit reports are deceptive, J Unemployment 9 Queries Answered The followsng questions and answers have been received: ? Q—I am an old man, aged 72 and left my employment because I found my work too heavy and the hours too long for my age. When I left, my late employers guaranteed me one month’s full salary and six months half sal- ary. Am I entitled to U.I. benefit during the period this money is being paid to me? A—Insured persons are not deemed to be unemployed during any’ period for which, notwith- standing that their employment has terminated, they continue to receive compensation for loss of, and substantially equivalent to, the remuneration they would have received if their employment had not terminated. Therefore, for the first month you are not entitled to receive benefit, but for the other six months, benefit can be paid to you, as for these months the pay- ments received by you cannot be considered substantially equiva- lent to the remuneration you would have received had your em- ployment not terminated. D Q—I filed a claim for benefit in May, 1947, and only drew two days’ benefit when I at- tended a five weeks’ course. Later on I commenced another nine months’ course and again claimed benefit in May, 1948. I was then advised that, as 50 daily contributions had not been paid in respect of me since the commencement of my pre- vious benefit year on May 27, 1947, I could not qualify for the receipt of benefit. I think this is rather hard on me and should like to know if it is correct. A—The first statutory condi- tion which must be complied with by all persons to receive benefit requires, 1. For each benefit year that one hundred and eighty contribu- tions have been paid in respect of him during the two years im- mediately preceding the day on which the benefit year com- mences, and 2. In the case of each benefit year except the first, not less than sixty -contributions have been paid in respect of him since the BUILDERS’ SUPPLIES FRaser 6018 SERVICE LUMBER & SUPPLY CO. WALLBOARDS — ROOFING Featuring GLIDDEN PAINTS — RETAIL LUMBER 5480 Victoria Drive Vancouver, B.C. 619 West Pender Street Christmas Cards and Wrapping — Boxed Cards, Family Cards, . tc. WILLIAMS & MACKIE LTD. Stationers Vancouver, B.C. RETAIL LUMBER PAINTS — WALLBOARDS — ROOFINGS STEWART & HUDSON LTD. Branches at: Victoria, Duncan, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Port Alberni BUILDERS’ SUPPLIES The purpose of this col- umn is to provide a means whereby our readers who want information on Unem- ployment Insurance can ob- tain it. If you have a question respecting Unemployment Insurance, write it out and send it to the editor. For identification purposes it would be well to include your name and address. We will send your ques- tion to the Unemployment Insurance Commission at its head office in Ottawa. The answer will be pub- lished as soon as possible after being received. Do not hesitate to send in your question or questions. The Commission has ad- vised us that it will be glad to furnish answers as ra- pidly as possible. SO SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS ee NN. commencement of the immedi- ately preceding benefit year. No adjusting authority has power to override the provisions of the Act and therefore the in- surance officer could not establish your entitlement to benefit as you did not have the necessary sixty contributions since May 27, 1947. D Q—I am drawing ULI. bene- fits from the local office in this city. I have a prospect of em- ployment in another city, but am not sure that I will land the job, Can I go away and if unsuccessful continue to re- ceive my benefit? Page Thirteen A—Inform your local office of your intention and follow care- fully the instructions which will be given to you, ee Q—I have been working in a job where I contributed to un- employment insurance, Re- cently I changed my job, and now I am not in insurable em- ployment. What happens to my benefit rights? A—Your rights are merely suspended while you are in a non- insurable job. They depend on your contribution record. Further, if you have 180 days’ contributions to your credit but not all within the last two years, and have been working in a non- insurable job in the meantime, the two years may be extended up to four by the length of time you were in non-insurable em- ployment. This point is important because the Act says that, in order to draw benefit, a person must have been insured for at least 180 days within the two years immediately preceding the day that claim is made. D> Q—Will the Employment Sery- ice help me to get a better job? I am already employed, but my job is not satisfactory. A—Yes. You can apply for a new job if you want to make a change. -Go to your local office of the Unemployment Insurance Commission and ask what open- ings are available, Q—Is there any reason why I should not go away while I am drawing benefit? A—You may leave for short periods if you: have the permis- sion of the local office where you are claiming benefit and can be reached if a job becomes ayail- able. Always be sure to keep your local office informed of any change in your address or tele- phone number. LOGGERS: Our Sky Cabs* maintain a 24 hour booking service by Radio-telephone every day of the year — especially for youl It’s easy to fly where you want, when you want to by Sky Cab. . . and our Sky Ambulances, too, are in constant touch with their bases up and down the B.C. Coast. This time, when you travel... call a Sky Cab *Regd. Name ASSOCIATED AIR TAXI 11. Personalized Seaplane Charter Service Passenger Terminal At The Seaplane Base VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Phone: Richmond 1551—Day and Night Johnson's Boots Hand-Made to the Highest Quality Specifications, UNRIVALED FOR © Comfort @ Wear ®@ Safety Ask for them at your commissary and at all Leading Stores. A. W. JOHNSON LTD. 63 W. Cordova St. Vancouver, B.C.