B.C. LUMBER WORKER Page Eleven DISTRICT CONVENTION RESOLUTION Policy of the IWA in B.C. and consumer co-operative organization is clearly set forth with regard to credit unions in the resolution of the District Convention, full text of ich is given below. (ERAS: The Co-operative is a motivating force for-the bringing together of workers to work for the common good of all; it is morally sound in principle and has definitely reduced the cost of living to its members; tends to solve racial and religious differences; has increased the real value of wages; reduced the hours of labor; has raised the standard of education of work- ers and has become a bulwark of defence of the liberties of the people, AND WHEREAS: The Co-operative Movement is truly economic democracy in action and is in fact becoming recognized economy may be achieved; throughout the world as the only medium by which stable THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the B.C. District Interna- tional Woodworkers of America, shall encourage each Local and sub-Local in setting up co-op committees whose purpose shall be the dissemination of co-operative information and the the establishment of at least one Credit Union in each Local, also the establishment of consumer or other type of co-opera- tives as may be applicable to their respective areas, and that a District Committee be set up having representation from the Locals to co-ordinate the work of the Local committees. SWINGING INTO ACTION Adoption of the resolution on co-operation at the IWA Dis- triet Convention marked a significant step for our Union. The IWA in deciding to establish a District Committee to foster co- operation moved from the stage of discussion to one of action. It was highly gratifying that the resolution received generous support, especially from Brother Harry Bardsley, Local 1-217, and others who have proven their faith in co-operation by working to establish a credit union in that Local. The organization of credit unions and consumer co-ops is the commonsense answer to the dil- emma of the workers, Every gain made in our fight to better our wage standards has been stymied by rising costs of living. Co-op Survey Our Co-op Committee in Local 1-357, IWA, has been engaged in a study of ways and means to or- ganize co-operatively in order to improve conditions for IWA members as consumers in this area, A survey is being made of po- tential membership and consumer requirements. When this work is completed, our Union members ean then lay plans for appropri- ate action. In all this, we have the substantial backing of a healthy Credit Union of our own, with assets of over $100,000. Consumer Self-help Our committee is working closely with an established Co- operative Society (our own Co- operative Association) which is operating a storage locker serv- ice, as well as distributing meat and some groceries. Our commit- tee plans to assist in expanding the membership of this organiza- tion to extend its benefits throughout the entire district. Our experience has been so con- vineing that we now hope that the co-operative movement will spread through all other [WA Lo- cals, Either by establishing co- ops or by assisting already or- ganized co-ops it is easily possi- ble for IWA members to partici- Bate in the savings and other ben- efits, Doing business co-operatively means consumer ownership and consumer control of business. It means consumer savings, and not huge returns to a few wealthy investors. After all operating costs are paid, the surplus which is left is returned to the consumers, leav- ing profits to none, and benefits to all who participate. Through co-operation we can establish our own price control, if we mobilize our purchasing power in the way made possible by the co-operative movement. Start Now Co-ops cannot be fully devel- oped in a day, a week, or a month. Time is required to ‘plan safely, to become familiar with the co- operative way. We can all start now by set- ting up our Local Co-op Commit- Here are the Brands of the CO-OP FISHERMAN The Fishermen's Co-operatives are fast be- coming leaders in B, Their 's fishing industry. woducts are gaining full acceptance throughout Canada, United States and other countries. Challenger Brand @ Fancy Red Sockeye © Fancy Red Cohoe @ Fancy Blueback (Fancy Red Silver) @ Fancy Pink @ Fancy Keta Also Challenger Brand Albacore Tuna HY-WAVE Brand FRESH FROZEN @ HALIBUT @ SALMON PACIFIC FILLETS e@ coD @ SOLE FISHERMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE FEDERATION THE CO-OPERATIVE VIEW By G. D. FERG ~* Local 1-357 IWA tees and planning how best to meet local problems. We know that we should at least have Credit Unions in every IWA Lo- cal. If we do we'll gain in finan- cial strength, and will be well on our way to fuller participation in the benefits of co-operation. BARRE EE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS PAC Debate Warms Delegates, Wins Support Program of political action proposed by the Executive of the B.C. Federation of Labor roused delegates at the Sixth Annual Convention to the warmest debate of the two-day session. The Convention decided to endorse the policies of the Ca- nadian Congress of Labor and continue PAC activities. Opposition to the resolution was expressed by delegates who feared that endorsation of the C- CF as the political arm of labor would have the effect of splitting the ranks of labor. Lloyd Whalen (1-217), ex- pressed support for PAC, but ad- vocated more effective policies on the part of the CCF, and closer consultation with organized la- bor. Some urged non-partisan ac- tion, and others suggested fuller rights for trade unions in nomin- ating candidates and formulating policies. The convention heard Pen Bas- kin, President of the Vancouver Labor Council; J. S. Alsbury, Dis- trict President, IWA; Murray Cotterill, PAC Director, CCL, and numerous speakers point to the political significance of resolu- tions adopted by the gathering. Mrs. D. G. Steves, President of the B.C. Section, CCF, reiterated CCF pledges to support the aims of organized labor and to share with the trade unions in shaping legislative programs. Conclusive argument was that the CCF is the only existing po- litical instrument for labor, and that it is so constituted that it represents the purposes of labor. A&N STRIKERS GET GENEROUS SUPPORT Dramatic highlight of the Convention of the B. C. Federa- tion of Labor, Feb. 4-5, was the spontaneous enthusiasm with which the delegates pledged the support of their unions for the retail clerks on their sixth month of strike against the Army and Navy Department Stores (Western) Ltd, New Westminster. Upon full explanation of the situation by the members of the committee formed in aid of the strikers, delegates immediately voted to pass the hat, and con- tributed the sum of $84.67 from their own pockets. Hurried caucuses held through- out the convention sent one repre- sentative after another to the microphone to pledge further sup- port from their Locals, totalling in all $1,020, with other unspeci- fied amounts promised. By unanimous yote, the Con- vention recorded its support of the strikers and urged that finan- cial collections be continued. Delegates agreed that the Army and Navy Department Stores (Western) Ltd., should be publi- cized throughout the trade union movement as being on the “We Do Not Patronize” list. The convention delegates heard details of the legal action taken against the striking union by the peed ee: ears i roe leging contemp' an injunction restraining certain picketing ac- tivities. pose. eration brands. workers. the lumber industry. PRACTICAL CO-OPERATION In this issue, the B,C, Lumber Worker welcomes the first of a series of advertisements inserted by the Fisher- men’s Co-operative Federation. This support from a workers’ co-opérative organiza- tion is warmly appreciated, and will serve a two-fold pur- It will inform workers in the lumber industry of the ex- cellence of the products marketed the co-operative way to the advantage of the fishermen. They have good reason to give preference to fish products marketed under the Fed- This support will help the B.C. Lumber Worker to de- vote more space for the encouragement of credit unions and consumer co-operation within the ranks of the lumber The striking progress made by the Fishermen’s Co-op- eratiye Federation points the way to equally great oppor- tunities for organized co-operation among the workers in “JOBLESS IN LABOUR MOVEMENT,” COTTERILL Mistakes of the “hungry °30’s” in dealing with the prob- lems of the unemployed will not now be tolerated by the Cana- dian Congress of Labor, de- clared PAC Director Murray Cotterill, before the Annual Convention of the B.C. Federa- tion of Labor. Decision of the CCL to or- ganize the unemployed means that the unemployed will re- main part of the labor move- ment, he stated. The needs of the unemployed will be pressed through organ- ized action, he promised. The Na- tional Executive of the CCL will help on the national level, but Lo- cal Unions will be expected to ini- tiate action in their own commun- ities. Full co-operation from the TLC unions was expected. Vancouver Labor Council offi- cials commented that plans for the Metropolitan area were in the making, and would probably ma- ture upon the arrival of National Director Joe MacKenzie. Provisions of the constitution for the unemployed as released by the Canadian Congress of La- bor are as follows: Preamble The unemployment situation in Canada is becoming steadily more serious, and since unem- ployment is a constant threat to the welfare of the organized workers and of the community, it is desirable that the organ- ized labor movement should take whatever steps are neces- sary to assist unemployed workers and maintain the clos- est possible association with them. The Canadian Congress of Labor has, therefore, de- cided to establish a national or- ganization through which these Purposes can be accomplished. 1.—Name The name of the organization shall be the “National Federation of Unemployed Workers”, and it shall be affiliated with the Con- gress. 2.—Officers The Federation shall be admin- istered by a committee of five members appointed by the Execu- tive Council of the Congress. The Committee shall appoint an Ex- ecutive Director, and shall deter- mine his duties, remuneration, ete., subject to the approval of the President and the Secretary- Treasurer of the Congress. 3.—Functions The Federation will promote the establishment of local unions of unemployed workers, in co-op- eration with Labor Councils, and will co-ordinate their activities on a national basis. The Federation will draft proposals for public works and other projects, and will stimulate any activities, provin- cial or local, on a national basis which will increase employment. 4.—Convention The Federation may hold a na- tional convention at any time when this is considered desirable by its Executive. 5.—Local Unions The Federation will be com- posed of local unions to which it will issue charters, Such local unions will be organ- ized by the Unemployment Com- mittee of a Labor Council and a charter will be granted only where this is recommended by the Labor Council. However, where no Labor Council exists, a joint committee of Congress unions in any locality may assist in the or- ganization of a local union of un- employed workers and recom- mend that a charter be granted. The Federation shall have the sole power to grant, withhold or cancel a charter. 6.—Local Union Officers The officers of a local union shall consist of a President, a Vice-President and a Secretary- Treasurer, elected by the mem- bership, and two members ap- pointed by the Labor Council, the joint committee of Congress unions referred to-in Section 5, or by the Federation. 7.—Purposes of Local Unions The purpose of the local union of unemployed workers shall be: (1) to provide a basis of associa- tion for unemployed members of Congress unions and other un- employed workers, and (2) to provide an agency whereby the welfare of the membership may be promoted (a) by endeavoring to obtain employment: (b) by making representations to civic and other authorities with respect to such matters as public works and other employment projects at union rates of pay; (ce) by dealing with unemployment in- surance questions; (d) by arrang- ing welfare or other assistance, and (e) by providing facilities for education, recreation and other programs. 8.—Monthly Dues The monthly dues will be at the rate of 25¢ per member; 15c of this amount shall be retained by the local union, and 10c shall be forwarded to, the Federation. 9.—Local Union Funds The funds. of the local union shall be placed in a special bank account and shall be withdrawn on the signatures of any one of the officers together with any one of the appointees of the Labor Council, or the Federation, on the local union Executive.’ ~ 10.—Membership The membership of the local union shall be composed of former members of the Congress unions or other unemployed workers in the locality in which the local union is established. Membership will not be held, however, by members or adher- ents of any Communist or Fascist organizations, or any persons as- sociated therewith. 11.—Membership Cards Each member will be furnished with a membership card which shall indicate whether or not he is in good standing. No member shall be regarded as in good standing who is three months in arrears. 12.—Name of Local Union A Local Union shall be known as “Local No.......... National Fed- eration of Unemployed Workers. 13.—Joint Councils Where two or more local unions have been established in a dis- trict, they may, with the co-op- eration and approval of the La- bor Council in the city or district, establish a Joint Council for the promotion of their common in- terests, and such Councils shall be paves, unless otherwise provided, by the provisions of the Congress governing Labor Councils.