-*- gaining proves futile. tors without delay. e tract year. e The Wages and Contract Con- ference held in the Steelworkers’ Hall, Vancouver, Mar. 4-5, was featured by singleness of pur- pose, unity, and determination to execute the mandate of the Dis- trict Convention last January. _ Prevailing sentiment was that after a “shakedown period” fol- lowing Communist disruption, the TWA was in fighting form and fully prepared to battle on the issue declared to be paramount, for the welfare and security of the workers in the lumber indus- ey. 5 Union Shop Main reason for insistence on the Union shop in the 1950-51 master contract was the need to provide fully democratic fulfill- ment of responsibilities assumed by the IWA as the bargaining agency for the workers on over a operations in British Colum- ia. It was shown that the Union shop has been given general rec- ognition in other leading indus- tries in Canada and the United States, and is generally adopted in the American lumber industry. Wage Increase Due The wage demand attached to the Union shop imperative, was formulated after consideration of an extensive survey undertaken by the Research Department of the International Union. This re- vealed increased productivity in the industry, excellent » market prospects, a decline in real wages caused by rising living costs, and sustained high profits for the principal operators. Emphasis was placed on the desirability of raising Canadian wage rates in the lumber indus- try on a parity with those now prevailing on the American side. This, it was pointed out, would offset the charge made in the United States Congress that Ca- nadian lumber products exported to the American market, or pur- chased with ECA dollars, offer WHAT’S INSIDE With one voice, 25,000 IWA members now demand a show-down on one contract issue for 1950 — the Union shop, with a 17-cent an hour wage boost. With this single purpose, IWA forces are mobiliz- ing for a decisive test of strength on June 15, if bar- “It’s 1950, or never,” they declared. By unanimous standing vote, structed delegates at the Mar. 4-5 Wages and Contract Conference, with marked determination, committed the Union to an all-out fight on the major issue. The membership conference launched an industry-wide program of militant action with the following decisions: @ The Union Shop with a 17-cent an hour wage hike will be the sole bargaining issue. Other issues were shelved as second- ary to ensure forceful emphasis on the one essential point. Set June 15 as the deadline for either the signing of a satis- factory contract or strike action. @ Appointed a 14-man Policy Conimittee with instructions to ‘meet immediately and present the Union’s demand to the opera- Instructed the Policy Committee to meet the operators on _ April 15, as arranged, requesting readiness to reach clear-cut decisions without any unnecessary delay. Resolved to meet the conditions of the ICA Act in time to take a strike vote, if necessary, prior to June 15, end of the con- Instituted plans to ready the organization for strike action as the final alternative to barren bargaining. @ Outlined a propaganda program on the contract issue to step up organization activity on a “now or never” basis. 80 membership-in- unfair competition to lumber products produced in the United States with higher wage rates. International Supporting International President J. E. Fadling, Organization Director Adolph Germer and International Research Director Virgil Burtz, attended the conference for pur- poses of consultation and gave assurance of full support from the International Executive Board. Announcement was made that Forest Industrial Relations Ltd., acting for the majority of the lumber operators, had made ar- rangements to commence bar- gaining talks on April 15 in Van- couver. Prior to this date, the operators’ representatives will receive the IWA demands, with the request that negotiations be speeded. Following the conference ses- sion, the Policy Committee met on Mar. 6, and proceeded with plans for quick and decisive ne- gotiations, Plans were also inaugurated to secure consolidation of organiza- tion activities leading up to the final test of strength. Policy Committee _Authority to conduct nego- tiations for the Union shop and 17-cent wage boost was dele- gated by the IWA Wages and Contract Conference, Mar. 4-5 to a 14-man Policy Committee. Elected as members of this committee were: J. S. Alsbury, District President; Tom Brad- ley, 1st Vice-President; Joe Morris, 2nd Vice-President; Robert Watters, 3rd Vice-Pres- ident; George Mitchell, District Secretary - Treasurer; Tom MacKenzie, International Board Member; Fred Fieber, 1- 71; George Smythe, 1-80; Wal- ter Allan, 1-85; Roy Whittle, 1-118; Lloyd Whalen, 1-217; Lawrence Vandale, 1-357; J. poke 1-363, and Neil Shaw, 1- Policy Committee meeting on Mar. 6 named J. S. Alsbury, George Mitchell, Tom MacKen- zie, Joe Morris, Walter Allan, Roy Whittle, and Fred Fieber as members of the Spokes- men’s Committee, il y) WW UNBE Ott Pubtiation of the Jeebennational Woodworkers of Amertea at. disiet Covrcit No.1, Vol. XIX, No.60 <> a3 Mar. 9, 1950 Se per copy Vancouver, B.C. Demand of the IWA for the Union shop and 17-cent wage hike was communicated to Forest Industrial Relations Ltd., by the IWA Policy Com- mittee Mar. 7. ‘ PROTEST HOLIDAY AT PT. ALBERNI Six hundred workers in the APL and Alberni Plywoods mills, Port Alberni, spontane- ously “took a half-holiday”, closing down both plants for four hours on Monday, Mar. 6, in protest against a Labor Re- lations Board yote on applica- tion for AFL certification of engineers in IWA certified plants. The work stoppage climaxed the determined and united opposi- tion offered by the plant workers during past months against raids by the AFL Union in an estab- lished industrial union, legally certified. Formal Protest Under instructions of the IWA District Executive Board, IWA Solicitor Alex MacDonald has lodged formal protest with the Labor Relations Board on the following grounds: No right exists for certification of a craft unit within jurisdiction certified to the IWA. Investigation should be held in- to alleged irregularities in the conduct of the vote. No legal right exists for at- tempted invasion of IWA certi- fication until the specified 10 OVERTIME VETOED Warning to all IWA members to refuse overtime work, ex- cept under emergency conditions, was sounded by the Quarterly Meeting of the B.C. District Council, when in session at Van- couver, Mar. 4. The resolution proposed that sanction for overtime work be withheld” unless the work requi only be done by the technical sk taking into consideration the sa Coast Supports Interior Demands Urgent need for a better deal for lumber workers in the In- terior of British Columbi was emphasized by the del gates dttending the Wages and Contract Conference in Van- conver, Mar. 4-5. Coast lumber workers ac- corded full support to the case stated by the Interior dele- gates, who urged a master con- tract for the whole district or that the Intérior contracts be brought in line with Coast con- ditions. The decisions of the Conference were interpreted as to allow the Interior negotiations to seek remedy of special problems, es- pecially those relating to the ter- mination dates of the contracts and working conditions. Interior IWA delegates, at the conclusion of the conference met with members of the District Ex- ecutive Board and Policy Com- mittee to lay plans for the In- terior negotiations and deal with months’ period has elapsed. THE THINGS YOU SHO! lired to be done is such as can ill of the regular employees and fety factor”. ° Main reason advanced for this decision was the mounting un- employment’ and the desirability of spreading the available work. Forty-Hour Week A further resolution of the Council recorded the opinion that the 40-hour week should be strictly enforced on all opera- tions, with five consecutive eight- hour shifts, Monday to Friday, and that work on Saturdays and Sundays should receive pay at overtime rates, regardless of the hours worked in the preceding five days. Prepare For Worst. Council delegates were warned by Director of Organization, Ad- olph Germer, to prepare for the worst in the approaching nego- tiations, and to warn and alert the rank,and file membership. “If the employers want to take it the hard way,” he stated, “there is only one way to teach them — determined use of our economic strength.” “Sacrifice and struggle are in- separable in facing the conse- quences of strike action, but we should never surrender,” he stated. special problems. ULD LOOK FOR IN (Turn to Page 8) WATERPROOF CANVAS CLOTHING 2 STANDARD COAT > Note the “‘tailored’’ de- sign, giving maximum comfort and freedom; the cape and sleeves all’ one piece, and seams only un- der-atm. 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, front and back, and interlining down entire front. Lots ‘of pockets, too. ” (Also made without interlining.) YOU WILL FIND IN & HAT You will find that it is substantial and waterproof +. + areal hat... but Soft, pliable, and light in weight. BUY ONLY GENUINE “PIONEER BRAND” “DRY - BAK” CRUISER’S COAT - Notice how it is moulded to fie with comfort and . freedom. Double thick- ness over shoulders, chest, back and sleeves. Look at the four roomy out- side pockets and pencil ocket, and sce the inside Breast’ map pocket, thea fook at the back and see the large. pack pocket with openings both sides. (This design of coat comes in featherweight “Yukon Cloth’, too.) FALLER'S SHIRT The fallers’ and buckers’ shire is an original ‘“Pio- eer Brand” design, buile {fo give full freedom with extra protection where needed, and with extra Jong skirt at back, (This also comes in feather- weight “Yukon Cloth’, 00. From Your Local Dealer or Commissary IT IS MADE IN VANCOUVER, B.C., BY JONES TENT & AWNING LTD. ON JUNE 15 NO CONTRACT - NO WORK —