De

Cc.

LUMBER WORKER

Cer Al.

ESS than a month ago, every lumber worker in B.C.

was wondering whether his financial reserves and/or

credit would enable him and his family to weather a pro-
longed strike. t

- Jtis an open secret that many, in the event of a strike,
would have endured seriously pinched circumstances. It
would not have been easy, but the sacrifices would have
been faced, as part of the workers’ struggle for a better
living. :

Ig IWA members had knuckled under to the demands
of the employers, they. would have spent the rest of their
working lives on their knees, and they knew it.

The recollection of this mental choice would still be
vivid in the minds of the B. C. members, who won substan-
tial gains. It should be vivid enough at the present time
to enable them to think sympathetically of their brothers
and sisters who are compelled to fight it out on the picket
lines in Washington, Oregon and Mission.

ee

yp THE Pacific Northwest States, the fight involves

10,000. lumber workers. The Weyerhaeuser interests

- have refused to sign an agreement which has been found
acceptable to the other lumber companies in that region.

The tactics employed by Weyerhaeuser indicate clearly
the anti-union intentions of the corporation. Weyerhaeuser
feels powerful.enough to stop the IWA in its tracks, and
starve the strikers off the picket line. The old union-
smashing tactics have been brought into play. It’s a fight
that the IWA must win or suffer a setback that will take
years to overcome.

The IWA has thrown all its resources into the fight to
help the strikers and their families. Those resources are
being rapidly depleted, because of the length of the strike
and the number involved.

It has now reached the critical point where an appeal
must be broadcast throughout the whole International
Union to aid the strikers, and supply them with food and
shelter. It will be answered generously.

Cee

HE FIGHT at Mission is closer and involves fewer

workers. Nevertheless, its importance should not be
minimized. A wealthy company has attempted to hold a
group of lumber workers at a scale of wages much lower
than now established for the industry.

The IWA B.C. strike fund has been opened in aid of
the Mission strike. For those in need, regular relief pay-
ments are made equivalent to that which they would re-
ceive if on Unemployment Insurance. To increase these
regular payments above this scale, would set a precedent,
which might later expose a trust fund to too rapid deple-
tion, 5

The peculiar plight of the Eddy Match workers is due
mainly to the fact that they have been on very low wages
over a period of time. They have had no opportunity to
accumulate any reserves for this emergency.

Many of them are consequently in a serious predica-
ment because of arreats in payments on their homes, and
furnishings, as well as medical treatment.

The Union has had to act to stave off their creditors,
or many would be in serious distress. This creates the
need for special contributions,to supplement the strike
fund relief, which after all is intended to be stretched over
the bare necessities only. 8

Workers throughout the balance of the B.C. industry
can easily lift their special burden, if everyone contributes
a little.

Ete eee

BY FIGHTING for and securing substantial benefits in

the new master contract, without the necessity of
strike action, the Union served its B. C. membership ‘well.
It can serve the membership ‘to still greater advantage in
in the future if the Union’s strength is preserved.

In preservation of the Union’s strength, it is vital that
the interests of all sections be safeguarded, the- weaker
among the stronger. E

For the sake of the Union, and all that it represents
to the members of the Union, the strikes under way now
must be won.

The way to make certain of victory, whether in Wash-
ington, Oregon, or Mission, is to make certain that the
men and women on the picket line have sufficient food to
earry on the battle.

: One day’s pay, as recommended by the IWA District
Executive Board, can be spared without serious hardship
by the majority of the lumber workers in B. C.

It is easier to part with a day’s pay than to stand, day
after day, on the picket line without any regular income.

It will be easier to part with a day’s pay now, than to
suffer the loss that will be incurred if the Union’s strength
is wrecked by ruthless employers.

The obligation-to help is an obligation that must he

- met promptly, in the interests of all.

as

: July
“QPERATION INTERIOR”

In the past few years, in the course
of my work as a shop steward, 1 look
back on my organizing efforts. I find
that meeting men of all ages, of vary-
ink skills and widely ‘varying charac-
ter was an experience that give insight
of human nature that could not be
gained with the reading of a carload
of books. Many times as 1 passed out
circulars that contained facts and as-
surance that improved wages and
working conditions would be gained
by organizing—and to witness the re-
action was an experience which, in
many instances, was far from stimu-
lating.

We probably can all recall our own
reaction when first we were approach:
ed to become a Union man, Some of
us were what might be termed a
natural one where nature responds to
any movement that is for the purpose
of uniting for common betterment—
some of us reflect the fears and teach-
ings of other years and at first, spurn
any such approach. Others make an
effort to let the bosses (who may be
around at the time) know with in-
sulting comment, that they had no use
for such crap.

I have met the man who did siga
when all others did. I also met men
who held a brief membership in other
years and because miracles had not
happened overnight they had no use
for Unions, I have met groups who
gave assurance that they needed a
Union hoping it will mean another
wage increase by the company to fore-
stall the formation of a Union, At
first such experiences hurt and I did
resent it, but I couldn't help but think
and to wonder if such as these can be
the frecborn Canadian worker. I had
conceived in my past studies of the
glorious stuggles where workers fought
and sacrificed to overcome the obstacles
that hampered their sharing in pro-
gress of industry or maybe they aré
what I'd call creatures who once were
men.

Even in these times despite the
striking advance of the general worker
a shop steward often meets individuals
who haven't awakened to a realization
that in this age the individual man,

—————

SUPPORT OUR
ADVERTISERS

Shop Steward Ray Pigeau Speaks Out On Union Shop

seeking to act alone, has but little j organization who will continue the

weight. These people to me are a sort | fight for the Union Shop—a demand
of a firefly who gives neither heat nor | that will put heat and Jight in these
light but is visible. visible fireflies,

T am only too glad to be part of an RAY PIGEAU, Local 1-357.

Waen you GO To TOWN...

ae au

y

aS,

YOULL NEED

> MONEY!

So don’t lose your pay-cheque.
Soon as you get it mail it to us
for safekeeping. If you wish to.
cash all or any of it, we will do
this by mail, too. “Banking-by-
Mail” with us protects your
money until the time when you
need it.

CLIP THIS COUPON». Send me all information about protect-
ing my pay against loss, and “Banking by Mail”.

Netesaccrseerssecarten eee eer ee

AAATESievsenvevereeercnceeces teeneeeee see eeeeeeeereneensees nee

BANK TORONTO

SENO To-> Incorporated 1855

Vancouver Branch, Dept. B. 3, Vancouver, B.C,
14 branches to serve you in British Columbia.

ANS

On DIAMONDS, JEWELRY, SILVERWARE, FURS AND

ALL VALUABLES
Immediate Cash! No Red Tape!

Unredeemed Diamonds for Sale

B. C. COLLATERAL LOAN BROKERS LT

77 EAST HASTINGS, Cor, COLUMBIA

PAc

Bei