| eo Convention, They were happy over a job well and faithfully: done. They had renewed confidence in and enthusiasm for their Jnion's program. They were determined to im- part the fine spirit of the con- vention to the entire IWA membership. Three days well-ordered and conscientious work had: 1, Emphasized clearly the re- stored solidarity of the IWA in British Columbia. 2. Mapped out a fighting pro- gram for 1950. 3. Proved the high quality and integrity of the democra- tic management of their Union’s affairs. “Best-ever” Convention A thoroughly satisfactory and purposeful convention, was the unanimous verdict of delegates and fraternal visitors alike, as they trooped for the last time out of the Banquet Room of the Plaza Hotel. From the moment Salvation Army Captain L. Titcombe in- voked Divine guidance, until the final piano chords of Lawrence Vandale in “O Canada” and ::The Star Spangled Banner”, the min- utes were packed with earnest and harmonious discussion of practical plans for “the good of the Union” and to’ better condi- tions for the lumber workers. Representative Assembly The 12 IWA Locals in the B.C. District seated 105 voting dele- gates. Over 30 fraternal dele- gates were in attendance for con- sultation. Twelve of these were heard by the assembly. Intense interest in the deliberations was shown by the fraternal delega- tion from the Women’s Auxiliar- ies, numbering 12. Workers from every section of the lumber industry, logging, sawmills, shingle mills, plywood plants, and furniture plants, all were heard, and all worked with unity of purpose and good-will to solve workers’ problems common to all operations in a province- wide industry. They presented the finest ex- ample of industrial unionism yet seen in British Columbia. Nanaimo Hospitality The cordial welcome extended the delegates by His Worship, Mayor E. Westwood, was given reality by the courteous hospital- ity of the citizens of the Hub City of Vancouver Island. A warm vote of thanks was tendered the officers and members of Local 1-80, the -host Local, coupling with it the names of Joe Morris, President and Tony Poje, Business Agent, because of the efficient advance preparation for the comfort of the visitors, The Convention Banquet and Turn to Page 3 WHAT'S INSIDE No Contract By June 15 -- No Work Union shop ‘and higher wages is the militant program for 1950 laid down by delegates to the Convention. The blunt alternative for profit-greedy operators is to face strike action by June 15, under the forthright District policy of “No Contract, No Work". Key resolution on this year’s bargaining instructed IWA nego- tiators to place exclusive empha- sis on-the two major demands he Union shop and adequate wage increases. These demands will be inter- preted in detail by a Wages and Contract Conference ordered for Mar. 4-5, to ensure an early start and completion of bargaining talks. Broad basis for bargaining laid down for the Wages and Contract Conference, by rank and file membership decision in- clude the following planks. Two major demands only— the union shop and wage in- creases. Early negotiations and final effort at settlement prior to expiration of agreement on June 15. If satisfactory settlement not secured, immediate application be made for strike vote. If no contract signed by June 15, that the Union should strike the industry. Union Shop Top priority was given the Union shop clause demanded in ‘the next master contract because of distrust of the operators’ in- tentions toward the Union. Honest recognition of the IWA as the accredited bargaining agency for the lumber workers should secure the democratic par- icipation of all employees in de- cisions made on their behalf, it was contended. Present Wages Low Rising costs of living made an upward adjustment of wages im- perative, delegates asserted. The wage dollar in the lumber indus- try- had been depreciated below that received in any other occu- pation because of special ex- penses and interruption of em- ployment by weather conditions. Earnings of lumber workers should be commensurate with prices of living necessities, and should establish an average which would provide annual earnings to ensure adequate living standards. Profits made and anticipated in the lumber industry are of such high proportions as to warrant a re-distribution of incame to in- crease the purchasing power of the workers in the largest indus- try of the province, District President Impetus was given the demands for 1950 by the remarks of Di trict President J. Stewart Als- bury at the opening of the Con- vention. “There is no time better than the present,” he ‘declared, “to let the operators know that the IWA wants the Union shop, and intends to have it.” Later he stated: “Economic conditions have so changed as to ake a wage increase impera- tive. If approved by the Conven- tion, we will start at the very minute of adjournment to fight for these demands, and with a fighting organization we will [eet them.” : INNA ROLL THE UNION ON” - UNION SHOP, WAGE BOOSTS | IWA OBJECTIVES IN 1950 "THE Convention is over, but the enthusiasm remains. “We're Gonna Roll the Union On” was the rousing song 7’ of the delegates as they closed their three-day deliberations at Nanaimo, Jan. 8. On this note, ended the 13th Annual B. C. District IWA Vol. XIX, No. 57 Jan. 19, 1950 5c per copy Vancouver, B.C. == ADOLPH GERMER, _ Interna- tional Director of Organization addressing IWA District Conven- tion, Nanaimo, is accorded stani ing ovation for inspiring speech. CARL WINN, International See- retary - Treasurer congratulates IWA membership in B.C. on pro- &ress achieved in 1949 at District Convention, Nanaimo. WATERPRO STANDARD COAT Nove the ‘tailored’? de- sign, giving maximum comfort and freedom; the cape and sleeves all’ one Piece, and seams only ua- der-arm. Note also the more generous use of ma- terials with interlining away down at back. (Also made without interlining.) STANDARD PANTS See the extra depth of double thickness, froat and back, and_interlining down entire front. Lots 100.” (Also interlining.) of | pockets, made without M&M CERTIFIED BY 1-71; “WOOIE” CLAIMS COLLAPSE — Certification as bargaining agency for 60 employees at M - & M Logging Camp, Forward Bay, has been awarded Local 1-71, IWA, upon proof of majority support. An IWA agreement has now been signed. The decision of the Labor Relations Board followed the com- plete collapse of claims made by the WIUC upon which certifica- tion had previously been granted to them. IWA officials submitted records to prove a clear majority of paid- up members, mainly on check-off. THE WIUC OFFICIALS COULD PRODUCE ONLY ONE CHECK-OFF AND AD- MITTED THAT THEY HAD NO RECORDS OF MEMBER- SHIP DUES PAID IN CASH. Upon WIUC protest that [WA certification had been granted after the fallers had been laid off, a recheck was made by the Boar The IWA still hada clear major- ity of the full crew, including all the fallers and bucker: Announcing the decision of the Board, Fred Fieber, Financial Secretary, Local 1-71, stated, “The outcome of this dispute pr vides further and conclusive evi- dence that the majority of the loggers have repudiated the WI- UC and are in support of the I- WA. “The WIUC can lay claim to only one certification on Coast. logging operations, and it is held for 2 camp that has been closed down permanently,” he asserted. “WIUC membership in logging camps is a myth and their activi- ties centre mainly around dyed- in-the-wool LPP-Communists de- liberately stationed in some of the camps for purposes of disrup- tion.” Six Months’ Debacle Certification had been awarded the WIUC on May 5. A visit by IWA organizers on the Loggers’ Navy to the camp on Nov. 17, resulted in disclosure of the fals- ity of WIUC statements and ap- Recruiting Labor Spies Reliable information has reached the IWA District Officials that an agency in Vancouver has been recruiting men for so-called anti-Communist espionage work in logging camps. An advertisement appearing in the Vancouver dailies invited ap- plications from men with logging experience. The proposition made to appli- cants was that they should ac- yment in logging camps, without disclosing to their employers or fellow-workers their special instructions. Their duties would consist of noting “Communist” agitators, and engaging in counter-propa- ganda. For this they would recéive an additional $75.00 a month. The agency was represented to the applicants as having Federal Government backing, though not part of the RCMP secret service. “This is a damnable business,” was the blunt comment of Dis- ‘| trict President Alsbury. “These bosses’ agents ‘can talk all they want about ~etting after ‘Communists’ and ‘Wooies’, if they wish, but the people they are really after are the IWA,” he added. ‘Turn to Page 3 Turn to Page 3 THE THINGS YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN OF CANVAS YOU WILL FIND IN REGISTERED 99 freed ness over shoulders, chest, 66 back and steeves.' Look , ae, the four roomy out: si ts an = cf, and see the fnside east map pocket, thea ick and see & | HAT You will find that ic is subscantial and waterproof Tap a = weight.” BUY ONLY GENUINE “PIONEER BRAND” “DRY - BAK” From Your Local Dealer or Commissary IT 1S MADE IN VANCOUVER, B.C., BY JONES TENT & AWNING LTD. BAN CLOTHING Dr CRUISER’S COAT Notice how it is moulded to fit with comfort and jom. Double thick- Hooke ge the back with openings both’ sides. Gis des ten ot’ coat comes ‘in. featherweight SYnkon ‘Cloth, too.) FALLER’S SHIRT ‘The fallers* and buckers’ shirt is an original “Pio- neer Brand” design, buile to give full freedom with extra protection where with extra long skirt at back. (This also comes in feather Meight “Yukon Cloth”, 100.