B.C. LUMBER WORKER Page Five THE OLD YEAR AS THE Old Year passes, lumber workers, in common with other folk, may be expected to scan the year's events to gauge the prospects for a brighter New Year. This mental exercise conveys the impression of moving forward. It is not that we should become rooted in the past. The achievements of the past are the landmarks upon which fresh bearings are taken to chart the course for the future. . " The important landmarks erected by the IWA in Brit- ish Columbia during 1949, can safely guide the Union to ‘oe more important progress in 1950. The Union has successfully withstood disruptive at- .tacks. In repelling these attacks it has found new strength and solidarity for the year ahead. The sound common sense of the rank and file members has prevailed during all crises. The members of the IWA have regained the right to delegate responsibility, with ‘ull democratic safeguards. Ge The wage line has been held for the lumber workers. Industry-wide agreements have been maintained. in the face of sabotage from Communist elements, and attacks from the employers. . The stronger have helped the weaker, with the result that in some sections, and on many operations, significant and important gains have been made in wages and work- ing conditions. In terms of numerical strength, prestige, strategic position, and cohesive organization, the IWA now occupies commanding position in B.C. industry, and has been QBeatica for the 1950 job. ®@ THE NEW YEAR UT of this background of constructive and solid accom- plishment, the IWA marches forward into 1950, with rm confidence. Improvement of living standards for the lumber work- ers. will be the foremost aim. Greater bargaining strength will be focussed on wages and working conditions. Health, welfare and safety standards must be raised to offset the wastage of life and limb in hazardous occupa- tions. Any lingering tradition that lumber workers are expendable must go. The full democratic scope of collective bargaining“must be given play in Union shop conditions. The Union shop is essential for satisfactory labor-management relations, and to free the Union from the constant battling for a status already gained. In company with affiliated unions, the IWA will play an important part in demanding fulfillment of long-overdue promises for greater social security. Building homes for slum-dwellers will create employ- ment in the woods and mills, and enrich the national well- being. Extended public health services are urgently required. Families must be protected against the financial disaster of ill-health. Full legal protection of the rights of workers to organ- ize and bargain collectively, and to shape laws affecting labor must be secured beyond all doubt. IT’S WORTH IT ‘THIS prospect is one of activity—intense but interesting and inspiring activity. It is an activity which gives all participants the self-satisfaction of worthwhile endeavor. It is a program of activity which sounds a clarion call to every lumber worker, whether now a member, or who should be an IWA member. It is a program of activity that calls for the highest de- gree of efficient organization—not just organization for the sake of organization. It means organization with a pur- pose, with a sense of direction—organization for action and struggle. 4 “Without vision the people perish.” The vision of the IWA is attainable through courage and the résolute spirit of brotherhood. The reward will be as great as our determination. IWA Babel Needed Now The Editor: I wonder if there is a brother in the IWA who is so old that he can remember away back when the first resolution was passed at both International and District conventions authorizing the pow- ers that be to produce a Union Label. And I wonder if any brother has ever seen one? And we print articles in our own paper to popu- larize other labels and we haven’t one of our own. Why? Now that we have the odd operation under Union Shop agreement this label if authorized to these operators would encourage others to get the same. And operators are asking for it now. Why the delay? Now that the contract, such as it is, is signed, let’s prepare for the next one, Have a Union label already in circulation, perhaps a few more signed up under Union shop. This would help considerably in obtaining Union shop, District wide, in our 1950 contract. A suggestion for a label would be our crest with a space below for a number allotted to the op- erator, Fraternally yours, Jimmy Abrams, Westminster Shook Mills. "Forugdllen Ulare * GIVE A DAMN! ‘The Editor: A “DON’T GIVE A DAMN” attitude is one of the most dai gerous states of mind that a pe son can get into. If everybody “didn’t give a ”, wages and working conditions and other so- cial benefits would not be what ¢ who criticize the organ- ization most are usually the peo- ple who take the least interest in it and who refuse to inform themselves as to the political, economic and social forces that are ever at work to defeat the progress of the Labor movement. Ir everyone assumed the “don’t give a damn” attitude, it would not be long until there would be no woodworkers’ organization, and then the “don’t give a damn- ers” would yell their heads off because the employers would kick them in the pants and take their hides off. Any thinking worker can ily understand that carping criticism results in destroying labor organizations and the employer will be the one to, benefit by it. “When workers study the his- tory of the labor movement, carp- ing criticism ends and all are proud to be active soldiers in the army of Labor. In the later part of 1948, and in the winter and most of the summer of 1949, the B. C. District Council of the IWA-CIO was faced with a major organizational problem placed in the hands of the council by the ex-officers (LPP adherents) in their attempt to smash the woodworkers’ or- ganization. The organizational problem had an unhealthy effect on the negotiations taking place in the early part of 1949. Organ- ization is no longer a major prob- lem due to the fact that an in- tensive and aggressive campaign since disaffiliation attempt, has re- built the B.C. District, of the IW- A to its pre-disaffiliation level. The year 1950 is already on our doorstep and it not too early for the woodworkers in the IWA District No. 1, to start planning a course of action on the question of the new agreement, the ques- tion of bringing about in 1950 the 100 percent organization and UNION SHOP. We can achieve all this by persuading the “don’t give a damners” to think and start “giving a damn”. Mike Sekora, International Representative, ‘The Editor: After seeing for myself and also reading accounts in the B.C. |, Lumber Worker of logging camps which are showing a tendency to return to pre-war conditions, it is a pleasure to be able to report on one camp which certainly does not come within that category. I refer to the Booth Logging Com- pane camp at Loughborough In- et. Here is one camp that is giving fair treatment to all its employ- ees in general, and to its kitchen crew in particular. There is no efficiency expert here with orig- inal suggestions about cutting down on food consumption and no enforcement of the one to fifteen imposed on the kitchen, Overtime in the kitchen, when worked, is paid for. The meat, butter and all other . supplies which come into camp are strictly first class, and there is no short age in any line. ‘We knew there was margarine on the market, because we saw ads in the papers, but there al- ways is an ample supply of but- ter on the table This camp can certainly make no claim on the score of beauty, and is certainly not up-to-date when judged by modern stand- ards, but there is no highball, St ra CAUGHT IN THE ACT of ne- glecting a well-established safety rule. An old standing spar tree was rigged to load out a few logs dropped. along the roadside. Tree was rigged at a height of about 60 feet, leaving an 80-foot top. When discovered, the tree was promptly topped, within the re- Card 859. ‘| quired ten feet above the rigging. SY ¢,, LOGGERS! IF You ARE IN A JAM go < wx LOAN MONEY it ON SUITS AND OVERCOATS Redeemable Any Time Within 12 Months HORSE SHOE Tailors & Pawnbrokers 325 COLUMBIA ST. VANCOUVER, c (Across from the Broadway Hot. 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