B.C. LUMBER WORKER THE UNION’S BUSINESS Thanks Go U.B.C. Special educational facilities for workers in the lumber in- dustry have recently been secured by the Special Educational Committee of the B.C. District Council, IWA, from the Exten- sion Department of the University of British Columbia. These privileges have been ex- tended to the Twa, mainly be- cause of the size of the Union, the conditions of the ,industry and also because of the interest in educational matters displayed by members of the IWA. One important and_ interesting feature is the li- brary service for those working in logging camps. A special catalogue of books bearing on trade union, and co-operative problems has been prepared. Books will be mailed free of charge upon application through the Union. Return postage will also be prepaid. These books include many deal- ing with topies of special signifi- cance to trade unionists, desiring to coach themselves on trade union administration, credit unions and consumers’ co-opera- tives and kindred subjects. Home Economics Attention will be given to the requirements of the wives of lum- ber workers, resident in remote settlements. Books on home eco- nomics will be made available to them on the same plan. If inter- est is shown, courses on the sub- ject may be given by correspond- ence. Later, it is hoped, lecturers may be despatched to these settle- ments. The University authorities have made the necessary appropria- tion to initiate this work, which should prove of great advantage to the éducational program of our Union. Full information regarding this plan of co-operation with the U- BC may be obtained upon appli- cation to the District Office, IWA. NO MYSTERY HERE CANADIAN woodworkers may well view with alarm the present campaign launched by members of the US. Congress to place restrictions on the import of wood prod- ucts from Canada into the United States. Loss of the United States market would cause serious repercussions in the B.C. lumber industry, with possibly grave unemployment. Most serious features of the campaign are the misrep- resentations of the conditions under which lumber is pro- duced in this province. Woodworkers are described as working for 95 cents an hour, and offering unfair competi- tion to American labor. International Officers of the IWA have already declared as unfair any trade restrictions which operate to the dis- advantage of workers on either side of the international boundary. The developing situation is one which demands imme- diate consultation between the Canadian and American sections of the Union, with a declaration calculated to place all the facts before the American public. IWA OUT IN FRONT Final report of the creden- Aials committee of the conven- tion of the B.C. Federation of Labor revealed the composi- tion of the convention as fol- lows: Officers. ... 4 Accredited Delegates Alternates . Visitor: Local Unions Labor Council The number of IWA dele- gates accredited was 44. AT HOME A PERSONALITY PARADE and featuring some of the boys who have helped us to establish our woe WEST presented by THE WEST HOTEL reputation as VANCOUVER’S OWN LOGGERS’ HOUSE Pete Colberg Pete McCulloch George Hester At the beginning of what all of us at the West Hotel hope will be a prosperous and happy season in the woods, we salute some of our oldest friends, who have honored us with their patronage: | Good Luck to you, Boys, this coming season! ‘The Old-Timers’ Roll Call continues in further issues. Telephone PAcific 8374 Ole Brackoos Nels Johnson Charlie Matson Fred Marchese MANAGER Federation. “Conciliation is not compuls- ory, strikes are not made illegal, under our Saskatchewan Act,” he stated. “Our experience would seem to dispose of the argument that a compulsory cooling-off per- jod is’ necessary. Strikes have dwindled each year since the in- troduction of the Act. In 1949, only six strikes occurred, involy- ing 269 employees, with 4,417 man-days lost.” “In the same year, the record of the Dominion was 866,000 man-days lost in strikes.” Speaking in his capacity as Secretary of the Federation, Bill Davies answered questions’ sub- mitted by the B.C. Lumber Worker as follows: Does the Saskatchewan Act require government supervision of a strike vote? “No. There is no such stipula- tion in the Act. A strike vote is regarded as strictly the business of the Union concerned.” Are strikes declared to be il- legal at any stage by the Sas- katchewan Act? “No. There are no penalties for strike action in the Saskat- chewan Trade Union Act. Con- ciliation is not made compulsory. A Union may apply for concilia- tion, and having made such appli- cation it is not considered proper or discreet to call a strike until the possibilities of conciliation are exhausted.” What qualifications are con- sidered in the appointment of Chairmen for Conciliation Boards? Appointments of Chairmen for Conciliation Boards are made by the Minister of Labor for Saskat- chewan in cases where the par- ties to the dispute are unable to agree on a selection. The effort is made to secure persons known to be impartial, and who have some knowledge of labor-manage- ment relations. Past appoint- ments have been made of such persons as members of the teach- ing profession, mayors of cities or university professors. Lawyers have seldom been appointed in this capacity. What provision is made for the expenses of members of Concilation Boards? “The entire expense is borne by the government. The chairman and both members of the Board receive their expenses, and a per diem allowance from the Govern- ment during the hearings.” ‘What steps may be taken by a trade union in Saskatchewan to gain some form of union se- curity under the Act? “A certified union may file a request with the. employer for maintenance of membership and the check-off. This requires that all present employees shall be- come members of the Union and all new employees within thirty days. If the employer refuses, the union may file a complaint with the Labor Relations Board claiming an unfair labor practice. Upon investigation, the Board may then issue an order requiring the employer to comply with the Union’s request.” Are the employers under the Saskatchewan Act allowed to force a yote on a compromise offer during a strike? BILL DAVIES _ “No. There is no such provis- ion in the Act. Does the Saskatchewan La- bor Relations Board attempt to determine the unions’ jurisdic- tion? “No. The employees’ choice of a bargaining agency is the sole consideration.” What evidence is required in Saskatchewan to secure certi- fication by a union on behalf of the employees in a bargaining “The production of signed au- thorizatfon cards or if they wich, signed membership cards.’ The Saskatchewan Board does not re- quire evidence as to the payment MArine 7235 1221 GRANVILLE STREET “Sask. Frees Union Bargaining and Gains Industrial Stability” _ Non-interference with collective bargaining and protec- tion of the right to strike under the Saskatchewan Trade Union Act has resulted in fewer strikes, stated Bill Davies, Secretary of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labor and CCL Member of the Saskatchewan Labor Relations Board, when interviewed at the Vancotver convention of the B. C. of fees. In a few cases where doubt existed, we conducted votes, and in every instance th vote for the union closely appro: imated the number of authoriza~ tion cards originally presented. This would seem to indicate that there is no foundation for the be- lief that authorization cards are not evidence of the employee’s bona fide intentions.” What has been the effect of this elimination of restrictions on the trade unions? “Trade unions have increased their membership in Saskatche- wan in recent years by from 45 percent to 55 percent. Organiza- tion of the Civil Service is parti- ally responsible for this growth.” “Members of city police forces may organize and enjoy the pro- tection of the Act. I am confident that the provisions of the Act have contributed to industrial stability and peace. Certainly, the trade unions have fully mea: ured up to their responsibilities VANCOUVER, B.C. - SPECIAL WEEKLY RATES Under New Management MARTIN HOTEL (Under Now Management) 1176 Granville Street VANCOUVER, B. C. “Where Woodworkers are Always Welcome” ~ Write today! by Mail! @ BANKING BY MAIL is so simple!—all you have to do is write to any Canadian Bank of Commerce branch and state your Banking require- ments. And whether it is a savings or chequing account you wish to open, money you want sent to someone in Canada of abroad, valuables you wish to place in safe-keeping, you will find our Banking y Mail service convenient, safe, business- like. We have 68 Branches in British Columbia— THE cath ax BANK OF COMMERCE Wee