B.C. LUMBER WORKER September 21 the union, duri nr the past / months, has cat out a pro- gram which achieved some long- sought goals on the economic front and won for the member- ot spots) benefits and security far beyond the expectations of Pur demands were fiercely sisted by the large corporations in Canada and the ret “and ‘one of the largest and most pow- erful companies in the West, for period of nearly two and a half months before reaching a: satis- factory working agreement for lite 9,000 workers employed by this company.” Political action, employment and world peace, Northwest. re- gional negotiatio B h Co- lumbia negotiations, Wyoming and Colorado, Alaska, the South, industrial safety, the Research and Education Department, the Woodworker, and the finances of the Union, were all dealt with in detail. In the preface to the report, the officers said it would have been easy to devote the entire re- port to the successful nexotia- tions of economie gains made in |: 1950 “as the points won were of tremendous importanée to all of us”, Economic Front “However,” they said, “we rec- ognize that gaining on the econ- omic front is but one function of our organization. Unless we pro- economic gains politic- ally by fiighting unfair anti-labor legislation, by working hard to liberalize our workmen's com- pensation acts, our old age bene- fits and our unemployment laws, we have won nothing.” Warning that the workers must continue the fight against inflation, they pointed out that wages and security are being taken away by price bulges much faster than they could through wage cuts by the boss. “In fighting on this front, we must plan systematically and’em- ploy our plan methodically in order to win,” the officers said, Charging that the Korean con- flict is being used by every busi- ness enterprise to boost prices, to encourage hoarding and to start another inflationary spiral, the officers said they believed that proper control of prices is needed. “However, if proper controls ure not immediately instituted,” they added, “other means such as increased wages, will become nec- essary. Our Union went through an experience during World War IL of price and wage increases and, in every case, the workers came out second best.” Noting the fact that the Taft- Hartley Act, the ICA Act of Brit- ish Columbia, and other restric- tive laws legislated by the States and provinces of the two coun- tries, are still facing labor in the United States and Canada, the officers called for intensified poli- tien] action to bring about their elimination. “The 1950 ‘off-year' election is’ here,” they said, “we, as working people, cannot let reactionary forces’ slide into Congress when it is so easy to go to the polls on election day and elect good peo- ple to represent us.” In dealing with the Korean war, the officers charge that Co weeps Tx ip a great meusure” for the war in Ko- dawdled on help to aye South Koreans,” they said, “and the people gave up in des- Commenting nding the United States its “prompt decision” in op- hae invasion of South Ko. Plant Committee at Creston prorat: British Columbia, Wyoming and Colorado, Alaska, and the South were reviewed at length. In the Southern States the officers reported, substantial wage incr were made since the wage minimum was increased by the Fair Labor Standards Act and the opinion was expressed that wage gains made in the South were materially assisted with the passage of the 75-cent minimum wage lat. On industrial safety, the offi- cers declared the instituting of sate ing conditions and safe working practices in the Iumber industry is always a matter of grave concern. Safety “Latest reports from the United States Department of La- bor show other industries are gradually reducing accident fre- quency rates,” they said, “while accidents in the lumber industry continue to ris “Logging, as a separate divi- sion,” they added, “has the high- st frequency and fatality rate of ny other industry or classifica- ion.” PLANT COMMITTEE, CRESTON SAWMILLS prepares for negotiation of new agreement made pos- sible by the IWA, master contract for Southern Interior. (Front left) C. Burnham, W. S. Weir, Chair- man Helen Bodar, 1. Camilli, George Knezecok. (Back row) District Vice-President. Joe Morris, Inter- national Representative Peter Berkosha, and Andy Good, Local 1-217, IWA. BE FOOT dpe i DAYTON HANDMADE BOOTS ARE GUARANTEED TO GIVE COMFORT AND DURABILITY ASK FOR THEM AT YOUR LOCAL COMMISSARY Dayton Shoe Manufacturing Co. B.C. Ltd. 2248-50 E. HASTINGS STREET VANCOUVER, B. C.