\ \ JORKER Ottcat Pedtentoa ot the International Woodworkers of America vt. visicr Covsst No. XIX, No. 72 >= Sept. 21, 1950 Se per copy Vancouver, B.C. ard Biased” Charges COL Germer In B. C. October 14 International Director of Organization for the IWA, Adolph Germer has accepted dn invitation to attend the quarterly meet- ing of the B. C. District Council, IWA, on Oct. 14, Main purpose of his visit is a discussion of IWA organization plans in British Columbia. Once again, the B.C. Labor Relations Board has demon- strated its blatent partiality to AFL unions. : This charge is made by the B. C, Federation of Labor (CCL) which declares that the Board has made its “most flagrant vio- lation” of provincial labor legis- lation in a certification case for employees of a building materials company. On July 11, 1950, the Amal- Qe Building and Construe- m workers applied to the LRB for certification of the 40 employ- ees of Gilley Brothers, at the Pitt River quarry, On July 31, the Amalgamated was notified that the AFL Team- sters had applied for certification for 60 employees of the Maryville International Convention Full Program Ahead Sharper emphasis on the need for effective political action in Canada and the United States to protect gains made on the economic front, featured the strenuous week- Jong sessions of the 14th Annual Constitutional Conven- tion of the IWA, which ended in Minneapolis, Sept. 15. Members of the B. C. delegation on return to this prov- ince declared the.convention to have been the largest and most successful in the history of the Union, revealing an astonishing growth of the Union’s strength and influence throughout the lumber industry on the North American continent. See CONVENTION page 2 Referendum representatives this week. Interior IWA members ap- proved a settlement which now brings them a wage increase across the board of 12% cents an hour, a basic 44-hour week, a new Union security clause, and a revised wage scale, specifying the rates for all categories. ‘Notable improvement in the In- terior contracts is the revised rates for skilled categories at- tached to the contract, with pro- vision for annual revision. Monthly rated employees will gain the 12%-cent an hour in- erease, as based on their regular work week. Piece rate workers have also been assured of the in- crease of $1.00 per day. Because of difficulties which had previously arisen in the ob- servance of Interior contracts, the necessary steps were taken by the District Negotiating Com- mittee to re-write a number of grayel pit. On August 1, the Marine Work- ers and Boilermakers’ CCL, ap- ee plied to represent 20 employees of the Coquitlam boat yard. On August 11, charges George Home, Federation secretary, the CCL was notified by the LRB that the AFL Operating Engin- eers had applied for an over all certification for Gilley Bros. em- ployees in all operations. On September 12, the CCL was told by the LRB that the AFL Operating Engineers and the Building Material Construction and Fuel Drivers Truck Union hhad been granted over all cer- tification for the company em- ployees in all operations. The “reason” given by the L- RB was that the appropriate bar- gaining unit is one composing all employees of the three operations “in the circumstances and bear- ing in mind the interests of the employees”. Says Home: “This is the most flagrant violation of the ICA Act and denies the w rs rights the act supposedly provides for them.” The Boatyard and Quarry em- ployees who signed with CCL unions should be given a chance to join the union of their choice. The ICA Act lays down that every employee shall have the right to be a member of a trade union in which he is eligible for membership and to participate in the lawful activities thereof. The Labor Board’s action in disregarding the prior applica- |- tions of the CCL unions is a com- plete contradiction of the prin ple established in 1944, that ap- ications for certification are to dealt with as of the date of the application. “The CCL regards this as the most dangerous step yet taken by the LRB to retard organiza- tion, and 2 complete denial of freedom of the workers to choose the union they wish to represent them,” added George Home. ss mo dress to convention. Minnesota; Allan S. Haywood; President J. E. Fadling, WELCOMED TO IWA.CONVENTION, Minneapolis, by International President J. Allan S. Haywood, CIO Vice-President, and Direct tor of Organization, Wm. Angove, WA Board member, John Hawkins, IWA Vice-Presi aed: E. Fadling was who later gave inspiring ad- (Left) Adolph Germer, IWA Director of Organization; F. Fulton, CIO Director, International Secretary-Treasurer Carl Winn, ident. rior Contract Approved 97% Register “Yes” In Ballot Interim agreement recommended to the IWA member- ship in the Northern and Southern Interior districts by the IWA District Policy Committee has been accepted by a 97 percent majority vote, according to preliminary re- ports of the referendum ballot which concluded Sept. 13. Details of the agreements were finalized in conferences between the Negotiating Committee and the operators’ clauses in the contracts, and thus remove questionable interpreta- tions which had caused’ friction previously. The major clauses, affected by the recent settlement are quoted below. Article V—Wages SECTION 1: The present scale of wages shall be increased by 12% per hour, establishing a basic rate of $1.10. SECTION 2: Classification and Wage Scales shall be those attached to this Agreement as Supplement No. 1 and will remain in effect for the duration of this Agreement. SECTION 3: mas The Wage Scale attached here- to, as supplement No. 1, is ap- proved by both parties and may, subject to mutual consent of both parties, be revised once annually. Article VII—Hours of Work SECTION 1: The regular. hours of work | shall not exceed eight (8) hours ; | per day and forty-four (44) hours per week with rate and one- half paid for all work performed in excess of eight (8) hours per day or forty-four (44) hours per week. All employees shall be paid rate and one-half for Satur- See CONTRACT page 3 FURNITURE CONCILIATION Vice-President William Gray, Local 1-217 IWA, has been named by the IWA District Policy Committee to represent the Union on the Conciliation Board which will hear the dis- pute with the Restmore Manu- facturing Co. Ltd., Hammond Furniture Co. Ltd. and Skyline Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Proceedings of the Board are expected to commence at an early date, PRITCHETT’S PAY GARNISHEED The sum of $104.29 has been paid into the Supreme Court of B,C. by Riverside Sawmills, New Westminster, as the proceeds of a garnishee on the wages of Har- old Pritchett. This was announced by Alex B. Macdonald, IWA counsel, who ex- plained that the garnishee had restricted Pritchett (who, - inci- dentally led the WIUC breakaway which led to long legal battles to recover more than $200,000 of IWA membership funds) to $15, a week, The action was a token one to GENUINE ‘DRY-BAK’ ASK FOR IT BY NAME AT YOUR COMMISSARY WHAT'S INSIDE recover the $109 in legal costs granted the IWA after Pritchett dropped his $50,000 slander suit against District’ President Stew- art Alsbury. Interviewed by the B.C. Lum- ber Worker, Mr. Macdonald Pointed out that both Pritchett and Ernie Dalskog are liable for additional sums totalling ap- proximately $700 in costs over the withdrawn slander suits. In addition, costs amounting to many thousands of dollars are outstanding against former [WA Seé page 2 OR LEADING STORES The treatment by which canvas is water- proofed fo produce ‘‘DRY-BAK’’ is a development and exclusive process of Jones Tent & Awning Ltd., and is entirely processed in our own plant. You should, therefore, look for the name “‘DRY-BAK”’ on every garment as your guarantee of obtaining the finest waterproof canvas clothing obtainable. Ask for it with or without inferlining.