B.C. LUMBER WORKER 1-357 Conditions Royal City IWA Local Union has presented the Labor Rela- tions Board with a problem in labor - management relations which oyer-taxed the Board’s wisdom and exposed the inade- of the ICA Act, The is—if no action is pos- to rectify unsafe and un- fair practices insisted upon by the employer, under the griev- ance procedure of the agree: ment, and if provincial authori- ties are powerless to act, will employees who refuse to toler- ate such conditions be subject to penalties? In a shingle mill certified by Local 1-357, the shingle packers are not sisted by a loader, nor are they pro- vided with a conveyor to load the kiln cars. Every bundle must be carried 40 feet over various obstructions by the packers to load the cars while they attempt to keep up with the sawyers. ‘The situation has become so intol- erable that men have been Jeaving the employment of the firm, and on vari- ‘ous occasions the crew have threatened take action in open protest. Reference to the Labour Relations ard and the Workmen's Compensa- jon Board brought no results, The complaint, it is claimed, cannot be processed as a grievance, because the company has the right under the agree- ment to determine the working pro- cedure, Local Union officials have attempted a further appeal to the commonsense of the employer, in order that he may retain any men in his employ. New Certifications Contracts have been signed with the newly certified operations at Creo-Dipt Ltd. of Canada and Vancouver Cedar Products. Employees rejected attempts of the ‘ AFL Union to secure separate certi- ; fication for the engincers. In both instances, the contract terms were drafted to include an increased differential for the night shift, and an upward revision of a number of cat- egories, The opportunity was taken to place these plants on a par with other IWA-certified plants in the Local Union's jurisdiction. Strike Assessment New Westminster IWA members have yoted this week on the right of the Local Union to deduct a 25 cents a month assessment in aid of the Army and Navy Department Store strike, as well as IWA strikes in progress. A regular contribution from the Local’s funds are forwarded each week to strikers in the Weyerhaeuser opera- tions. Tidewater Opposes Union Action taken by the management at the Tidewater Forest Products Ltd., Port Kells, has aroused indignation throughout trade union ranks in New Westminster, and may form the basis of charges of unfair Jabor practice. Following the request of a majority of the employees to request certifica- tion through the IWA, within a few days all members of the crew were Iaid off. The pretext for such action has disappeared, but the employees in- terested in trade union organization | i the IWA was temporarily deprived of Bocer For LRB Over certification rights. Further, and effective action by the Local Union is now contemplated. Pacific Veneer Settlement Major grievances of the plywood workers at the Pacific Veneer Division, Canadian Forest Products, has been settled under thé terms of the new master agreement. Workers on continuous three shift operations now have a shift. schedule which gives them the desired eight hours pay for eight hours production. Shifts now are: Days, 7.30 a.m. to 3.55 p.m., 20 minutes for lunch, two 10-minute rest periods. Afternoon, 3.55 p.m. to 12.20 a.m., 25 minutes for lunch, one 10-minute rest period. Night shift, 12.20 a.m, to 7.30 a.m, 20 minutes for lunch, one 10-minute rest period. An exception is made on Sunday midnight when the night shift starts 20 minutes earlier, at 12.00 mid- night. 9000 Strikers Can't Be Wrong In its weekly strike bulletin, issued July 14, the Northwest Regional Ne- 'gotiating Committee of the IWA-CIO, | warned the 9,000 members of the |Union on strike at the Weyerhaeuser next move of the strikebound firm would be to “make a break through the picket line: “Don't forget,” the bulletin warned, “now that no meetings are scheduled, Weyerhaeuser has only one hope to win. That is to break through a picket line some place.” : "9,000 workers just aren't wrong,” the Negotiating Committee declared in urging that the membership strengthen picket lines, attend local meetings and Keep everyone informed regarding strike developments. “Definite violations of the National bor Relations Board are being car- ried on by representatives of the Wey- | erhacuser Timber Company,” President Fadling of the IW-CIO declared. he letters they are sending out to employees, in which they report ion of proposals to the Union that have actually not been submitted, constitute a violation of the Jaw,” he said. “Threatening workers with the loss of employment ri s has been done, is another violation and the con- certed action upon the part of foremen and other supervisory employees of the Company in trying to influence the workers to accept the Company's terms is certainly not in the best interests of collective bargaining.” He added that the Union stands ready to meet at any time or to meet continuously until a settlement can be reached that will end the nine week old strike that has closed the Weyer- haeuser camps and mills from Everett, Wash, to Klamath Falls, Ore. OFF-DUTY TAX In Washington, the internal revenue bureau ruled that train- men, policemen, nurses and others can deduct the cost of their uni- forms from their income taxes. But only providing they don’t have not been rehired. By this trick, wear them off-duty. |Timber Company operations that the | Local 1-424 Agreement secured by IWA Local Unions at the Coast has inspired the Interior lumber workers to rally in support of negotiations now in progress with unprecedented enthusiasm, states International Organizer Mike Sekora, reporting from Prince George, Local 1-424, I- WA, Strike committee organ- ization is already under way as proof of determination to right the wrongs of the Interior. Annual Meeting of Local 1-424, held in Prince George, July 8, placed the following names on the ballot for election of officers: President, J. C. Farenhurst, unopposed; Ist Vice- President, W. Chance, C. Henderson; 2nd Vice-President, J. Hemming, C. Neal, W. Woodcock; Financial Secretary, C. H. Webb; Record- ing Secretary, A. Dudeck; Con- ductor, R. Sandine, H. Neal, C. Miller; Warden, L. Eckles; 3 Year Trustee, H. Drader, C. Perry, W. D. Stone; 2 year Trustee, J. Oman, C. Rosette. The organization drive in support of negotiations has met with success in the Prince George area. Employees of the Standard Tie and Timber Co. (Western) Ltd. at Penny held a successful reorganization meet- ing assisted by District Vice-President Tom Bradley and Organizer Mike Se- kora. Elected to the plant committee were: Phil Parrante, chairman; Lee Ray, secretary; Al Letnosky and Les Gagnon, shop’ stewards. The number of new members signed up added con- siderable strength to the Local Union. Quesnel Organizes The first IWA organization meeting known in the district was held in Quesnel, July 11. Workers from all the major operations in the district attended in large numbers and were addressed by District Vice-President Tom Bradley, and Organizer Mike Sekora. The meeting resulted in marked and enthusiastic support for the IWA and the expressed determin- ation to organize the area for the IWA. A pro tem sub-local committee was elected as follows: Chairman, Jerry Lebourdais; Vice - Chairman, Robert ‘Thompson; Secretary, Gordon Marsh; Committee Members, Tom Talbot and Dick Abbott. The committee will be added to by shop stewards to be named in adjacent operation Carl Winn Visit A further series of meetings was planned. An early visit from Inter- national Secretary Carl Winn is ex- LOCAL BREAKS NEW GROUND IN QUESNEL OPERATIONS olLS Rega Pelee eit eee 5 pected when his schedule for the Prince George district is finally ar- ranged. The International officer plans to spend the first week of August with the Prince George Local Union. Financial Secretary C. H. Webb has been selected to represent the Local Union on the Negotiating Committee dealing with the 1950-51 contract for the Northern Interior. Organization Meetings Well-attended organization meetings have been held by the visiting officers at the following points: Sinclair Mills, sawmill and camp, Cornel Mills, Dewel, North - West Interior, P. Chruch Mill, Northern Planers, Prince George Planers, B.C. Spruce Sales, Strom Lumber.Co., Hans Roines, Rus- tad Bros., Trick Lumber Co., Aleza Lake, Upper Fraser Spruce, Ptarmigan Lumber Co., Kidd. Grievances Quesnel lumber workers are com- plaining bitterly over the inadequate services rendered by the Unemploy- ment Insurance Commission in the dis- trict. Action was taken to bring the matter to the attention of the author- ities. LOCAL 1-367 Organization Drive Success Special organizational drive by Local 1-367, IWA, through the Harrison Lake area re- cently resulted in a doubled membership and several new certifications. Special organizer in the drive was Al Busch, well known in Local 1-217, IWA, a8 a chief shop steward in M.LL. Difficulties of transportation in this area, and the isolation of many log- ging camps had proved a serious handicap in promoting an effective or- ganization. The expense of servicing membership had proved almost pro- hibitiye to the Mission Local Union. With financial assistance from Lo- cals 1-357 and 1-217, it was made possible for Al Busch to spend some time in the district. The M.V. “Agas- siz Pride’, manned by owner-skipper K. E. Ryer, was placed under charter to the Local Union, and solved the problem of transportation. | Results achieved more than~justified the project, Three more logging camps were added to the IWA column and a large number of members were recruited. This area now promises to be a source*of strength to Local 1-367 IWA. Local 1-363 “PROPERTY RECOVERED — Vacancy in the office of 8rd Vice-President, Local 1-363, I- WA, caused by the resignation of C. Widen, appointed to a supervisory position, was filled by the election of K. Willis at the last general meeting. ‘The newly elected Vice-President hails from Camp 5, Bloedels. A vote of thanks was tendered his predecessor. After legal proceedings, the two lots which were bought with IWA money, prior to the attempted break, and transfered into the hands of individ- uals who supported the former officers, have now been handed back by an Order signed by Mr. Justice Coady. Quite a sum of money has been spent getting back these lots, which belonged to the IWA membership of Local 1-363, and not to some indi- viduals who were promoting the in- terests of a political party. ‘A hearing for Discovery was held on the 14th of June concerning the office equipment, certain moneys and other items, ‘A. MacDonald, legal counsel. for the IWA 1-363, examined J. Higgins, former Financial Secretary, and now a member of the WIU or what is left of it. Some very interesting statements were made concerning the signing of blank cheques by persons in sespon- sible positions of the local at the time of the attempted break. No vouchers were submitted to show why they had been paid out in October, 1948, to persons who were not members of the IWA. The case will proceed in Sep- tember. Election for delegates to the Inter national Convention to be held in Sep- tember in Minneapolis, Minnesota, , will take place at the General Meet- ing on Saturday, August 5th. ‘A Basket Picnic sponsored by the Ladies’ Auxiliary was held at Kin Beach on Sunday, July 16th, with free ice cream for the children, Keep up the good work, ladies, This local has been. successful in settling quite a number of grievances. These included the ré-instatement of two men in different operations. These men Had been fired unjustly. The records show that the member- ship of Local 1-363 is increasing steadily with the help of Shop Stew- ards who have been. doing a real job in the different operations. See | '20 to i says ANbore profits with a TWIN’ Weighs only ALERT BAY BUSINESS GUIDE WM. E. KEELE General Merchandise — Sales and Service ALERT BAY, B.C. AL BIGGS. BARBER SHOP Maple St, Chemainus, B,C. SHAW’S MEN’S WEAR Dress and Work Clothing Phone 223 Chemainus, B, C. . A5 Ibs. & AU Purpose Pauer Chain S fo) twe neat: Boost production and cut costly time and labour £77" ae tine eaeciments trons) ... the SUPER TWIN is built for the big jobs...4 i fon finan rahe H inches to 7 feet. light weight machine in the heavy duty class. A H Tailored Torque Curve, Eight Position Swivelling and $ Name___ H Fully Automatic Control give the SUPER TWIN the t H 2 47/__dependability that counts. : { ‘BIGNEER pertiitn Che field. 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