Page Four B.C. LUMBER WORKER PAVING THE WAY E FIRST convention of the Canadian Congress of La- bor in 1940 was “an adventurous experiment”, as Presi- dent Mosher stated in his 1950 presidential address. The Tenth Anniversary Convention held in Winnipeg during the last week of September this year, climaxed a decade of solid achievement on behalf of Canadian work- ers, Now representative of 350,000 trade unionists, the Congress at Winnipeg moved forward to still more impor- tant objectives. Labor’s role in the national life was de- fined clearly and forcefully. As the press and radio publicity turned the spotlight on the major decisions of the convention, every member of a CCL affiliated union knew that his interests as a worker and as a citizen were being championed shrewdly and fearlessly. Members of the IWA, the fourth largest union in the Congress, were given good reason to value and appreciate their affiliation with this influential section of Canadian labor. As the plans and policies of the convention unfold, every Canadian worker will benefit. The impact of con- vention decisions on public opinion, and on Parliament has paved the way to social and economic progress for the whole nation. Curb Profits Program outlined by the convention deserves the sober analysis of the individual trade unionist, and consistent support in his own sphere of action. He will find in this program the opportunity to advance | his own welfare through the advancement of the national | welfare. He will find expanded benefits in his allegiance to the trade union movement. A brief summary of major points in the program will prove the point. The convention debunked the myth that wage increases have been the chief factor in price increases. Profiteering, | and mainly war-time profiteering, has been mainly re- sponsible. Notice was served on Parliament that the failure to| control prices made it inevitable that labor should now press for further wage increases. Price control as at the} level of June, 1950, was demanded, that inflation ighOl not become an unwelcome guest in every Canadian home. Man does not live by wage rates alone. The conven-| tion as a national body, acted as only a national labor body could act, to safeguard the living standards of the work- ers, at every point. Federal Labor Codeé Improved legislation dealing with Unemployment In- surance was also cafefully considered and amendments to the Act will be pressed before Parliament. The case was made for increased benefits and less re- strictive regulations in administration of unemployment insurance. The Congress in convention renewed its demand for a Federal Labor Code to establish higher and more uniform standards for labor legislation across Canada. Main pur- pose behind this proposal was to secure protection against the unfair labor practices of unscrupulous employers. In this connection, the convention gave whole-hearted support to the demand of B. C. trade unionists that no fur- ther invasion of the jurisdictional rights of trade unions by the B. C, Labor Relations Board be permitted: Housing Scandal The housing shortage in Canada was condemned as a national disgrace. The indignation expressed by the con- vention delegates over the policies pursued by the Federal Government in “permitting exploiters of labor to fasten] mortgages around the necks of the workers” compelled the revision of the original resolution, and a blistering attack on such policies. The government was urged to reverse its decision to abolish rent controls next year, and to make immediate provision for low-rental housing to meet the needs of workers in the low-income brackets. The federal enactment of a comprehensive: health in- surance scheme was demanded with provision for free medical, optical, surgical, dental and hospital treatment. Demand made by the IWA delegation that protection be given against the threat of an American embargo against Canadian lumber was approved, and the Canadian authorities will be asked to make the necessary representa- tions to Washington. _ The record of proceedings is packed with these and many other resolutions which envisage vastly improved Bed Of Nails TRADE -UNION/S7: "100K, BILL, — 1/7 /SN'T ONLY (IN [Noth ace FIND THIS /% BBE AE - ZB = and they ranged themselves No Middle Ground CTION of the Congress with regard to the Communist threat at home and abroad was decisive and clear-cut. The delegates recognized that there was no middle ground, on the side of democracy. Steps were taken to free the Congress affiliates of LPP- | Communist sabotage, and to confer the necessary author- ity on the Executive Committee to act swiftly in the event of further attempts of Communist agencies to control trade unions in the interests of Soviet foreign policy. Emphatic support was given the police action of the United Nations in Korea to defeat aggression, but full emphasis was placed on the imperative necessity of econ- omic aid to the peoples of Asia. The key to the attitude taken by the convention toward Communism is to be found in the Declaration of Positive Economic Philisophy. The condemnation of Communism did not imply support of capitalist interests. In this docu- ment was stated the belief that the challenge of Commun- ism can only be answered by economic policies which are expressed by the slogan: “For the needy instead of the greedy”. greater happiness, security in this and other lands. The convention dedicated itself to the pursuit of and freedom for the workers THE MAIL BAG The Editor: At our last meeting here (Aero Camp), Sept. 15, we discussed the question of T.B. control. It was the unanimous opinion of those present that all those engaged in the lumber industry should be obliged to carry a T.B. clearance card, and be required to get a check-up at least once every three years. I was asked to bring this idea to the attention of the B. C. Lum- ber Worker, with the hope that the proposal would be favorably considered in other camps, and the question dealt with at the District Convention. ‘We think that such a policy on the part of the Union would con- tribute to the health and welfare of the workers in the industry. Co-operation with the T.B. Soci- ety would further their intention to completely wipe out this scourge if given the oportunity YOUR standards and security for the toiling masses. Money ... Your Space, Bogs! to examine everyone. A little over a month ago, the T.B. clinic visited our camp. To say the least, it involves very little trouble for anyone to get an X-ray, and thus safeguard oneself and associates. I was told that there are clin- ics in all the major centres in the province, so why shouldn’t steps be taken to give loggers the same opportunity for protection. Art McConkey, Committee Chairman, Aero Camp. Tight Line a Few Orders My Way BARTLETT CLEANERS Cleaning, Pressing, Alterations We Specialize In Mall Orders 321 Camble Street Vancouver, B.C. ¢. Bartlett Phone PAci#le2426 SE SHOE TAILOR MBIA ST PLEDGES CAREFU Ly Labor’s Role “One of the major objectives of intelligent labor and intelli- gent management is to increase the satisfaction of the worker and his productiveness so as to benefit both labor and manage- ment. Accomplish this in many industries and the entire nation is benefitted. Throughout the country there is a growing real- ization that labor must haye greater participation in the erea- tive side of industry.” —Jack L. Wolff, Division of Shipyard Labor Rela- tions, U.S. Maritime Commission. Alex B. 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