Page Kour B.C. LUMBER WORKER Improved Position "THE judgment of the IWA District Policy Committee has been upheld by the IVA membership in a referen- dum vote. The settlement recommended in the dispute with the Coast lumber operators was considered the best procures without resort to costly and prolonged strike action. While the majority vote approved acceptance of the terms of settlement, there has been no sign of great jubi- lation over the gains made, It was accepted as the shrewd- est bargain that could be driven under the circumstances this year. It was balanced against the risks of interrupted employment. No one has been fooled. It is not the complete answer to the requirements of the lumber workers. Conditions are not what they should be, and the present contract is far from perfect. The acceptance vote was a commonsense recognition that progress in human affairs can only be made step by step. The IWA stepped forward into a better position, which if patiently consolidated will mean further steps at the opportune moment. It was sound strategy to concentrate on the major de- mands. Bargaining was pointed and direct. The claims of the Union could not be evaded. The bargaining strength of the IWA was fully mobilized around issues that were clearly understood. The Union was on the offensive throughout, and was fully ready for an open fight. The fighting strength of the Union has been kept in- tact. It must be developed to still greater efficiency for the days ahead. The contract terms must be adequately policed to gain full advantage of the agreement. The unorganized must be organized. Training in the work of union administra- tion must be extended. The entire membership must be activized in trade union responsibilities. The new contract provides an opportunity to accom- plish this work with an added measure of protection. If this work is accomplished during the present: contract year, IWA members may look forward with confidence to a further revision of the contract that will round out present advantages won. - Boom or Bust ‘HE worker who produces lumber also uses lumber. He is therefore doubly concerned over the sky-rocketing lumber prices. His employment as well as his housing is involved. Runaway prices threaten the loss of markets for B. C. lumber and the ruin of a Canadian home building program. The “boom or bust” trapeze is not a comfortable place for the lumber worker. Insult was added to insecurity when the announcement of recent price increases was timed to follow the 1214-cent wage settlement. The public was encouraged to blame labour. The facts give the lie to this camouflage. The price grab was decided upon long before any wage concession, but any publicity was carefully suppressed until after June 15. : Prices and profits were soaring long before the only wage increase granted in two years. Profits and increased productivity at the time justified the wage increase de- manded. No advance in prices was necessary to provide for the increased labour costs. The price crisis is the direct result of an attempt to make a quick “clean-up” on the American demand for lumber. The operators are pushing their luck too far. The economics of the market, and public resentment will recoil on the industry. When items of finished lumber reached the peak of $220 per thousand, and No. 1 common $96, the explosion point was reached. An American boycott threatened and the Canadian construction program halted. Unemployed construction workers raised an outcry. It is folly to provoke a lumber market collapse by these price boosting tactics. Public opinion will eventually de- mén a reckoning with the profiteers. Price controls are resented but price controls will be demanded in the public interest. Profit-mad gambling will destroy the stability of the lumber industry. Long-range planning with an eye to fu- ture market possibilities is the saner course. A reasonable quota of Canadian production for Cana- dian consumption at reasonable prices would make sense. The lumber industry must rely in the final analysis on the ability of the Canadian people to maintain their standards ~and trade freely, Conservation plans are required to convert waste into commercial use, Better planning in the use of all grades of lumber will help the domestic market. If an expanding domestic market is sacrificed to export profits, irreparable damage will be caused the B.C. lumber industry. This warning was sounded by the IWA when! the present wage settlement was being negotiated. It still makes sense, sot eat He'll Tip The Boat The following letters have been received by IWA officials and have been forwarded to the B.C. Lumber Worker as indicating the trend of opinion. DISTRICT POLICY COMMITTEE At a meeting held at the Do- minion Tar & Chemical plant, Vancouver, the brothers ex- pressed complete satisfaction at the way the recent contract ne- gotiations were handled by the Policy Committee. A vote of thanks was also tendered our chief shop steward, Art Palmer, for all the time and energy he has expended on our behalf in this matter. Too often the hard work in connection with this office passes unnoticed. So, let’s give all the shop stewards a big hand for a job well done. Les Tyckoson, Plant Publicity -Representative, LOCAL 1-71, IWA I wish to offer my congratula- tions on the fine way in which negotiations were carried out pertaining to the 1950 contract, also that the organizers were alert and on the job during this period, _ Now that the threat of a strike is over, the boys have settled down to good honest work, know- ing that if it had not been for the bargaining power of our Union, the West Coast logging industry would be at a standstill. Bargaining such as this is a credit to the woodworkers, As long as we can settle disputes! this way, we'll have some secur- ity in the industry, F. McKay, chairman, Beatty Anchorage. LOCAL 1-71, IWA I'd like to take this opportun- ity to congratulate you, and the other members of the committee on your fine job of negotiating, and the big step forward for our Union. I believe that this is the best contract we have ever had, and the biggest step forward to date. The recommendation of the Policy Committee was well re- ceived by the boys here. We're trying to get the idea across that all of us must take an interest in Union functions the year round, and not just when negotiations are in progress, We can’t idle away our time till next June rolls around, and expect to get results, J. H. Croot, Aero Camp. Your Space, Boys! The Editor: In all the discussion about the settlement for 1950, one point of importance to loggers has been missed. It’s something for which the IWA should take credit, with a little trumpet blowing. It’s the first time that we log- gers have got a wage increase, without it being taken away from us by higher board rates. We've not forgotten the bitter experience of 1948, Our Union out-smarted the op- erators on this point this year, when they made them drop that rigged proposition which they threw on the table when bargain- ing commenced, Card 3804. Have Your Own Independent Telephone System Connect Your Operations by Phone Dozens in use in National Patks throughout Canada, and Mining Firms are using them. This ts the last lot of perfect Army Field Telephones to be offered. Operating Distance: 17 miles H. Campbell, Rm. 62, 144 West Hastings, Vancouver Many Legging $17.25 each phone DISTRICT POLICY COMMITTEE At a Local meeting held on June 17, a motion was passed in- structing the Local to forward a letter of thanks to the Negotiat- ing Committee, The membership of Local 1- 363 appreciates a job well done by the Negotiating Committee on our 1960-51 contract, Fraternally yours, J. Holst, Financial Secretary YOU EARN MONEY THE way Don’t lose your pay cheque. Deposit it by mail this easy way, and then you'll have money to use when you come into town. Besides being safe, what you save will increase with bank interest. SAVE I(T THIS way! Send me all informa about it my payagainstloss,and"Bankingby Mail Name. 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