October 19, 1950 B.C. LUMBER WORKER -CCL’s New Executive 25,000 Mark Passed BER, 1948, saw the former LLP-Communist officers of the IWA deal our Union a treacherous blow that threatened the end of its usefulness for the lumber workers of this proy- ince. f October, 1950, saw the quarterly meeting of the B.C. District Council, IWA, review reports indicating that the membership strength of our Union is at an all-time high. The Metropolitan Local Unions, 1-217 and 1-357, are running neck and neck in a race to enroll 6,000 members, both having pass- ed the 5,500 mark, thus breakin, all records. : Local 1-80, Duncan, is over the 4,000 mark, well above all pre- vious records. Other Local Unions, including 1-118, Victoria; 1-85, Port Al- ; 1-868, Courtenay; 1-367, ion; 1-417, Kamloops; 1-424, Prince George, all have upped their membership above former levels. The other Interior “Local Unions, at Kelowna and Cran- brook, have shown an astonishing rate’ of membership growth by reason of activity relating to the 1950 contract negotiations. Local 1-71, the loggers’ local, has faced formidable problems, in the enrollment of members In October, 1948, loyal mem- bers of the [WA had been de- prived of the use of organization tools — records, funds, property, and equipment. It was necessary Y to rebuild the Union’s activities from the ground up. In October, 1950, a re-invigor- ated membership could say with pride that the ability and strength of their Union to serve the inter- ests of the lumber workers was never better. Present Strength The records of former years are still in the LPP archives. Those of us who know the score in that period can say without fear of contradiction that never CCL 1950-51 EXECUTIVE is seen in this picture taken shortly after their election at the Winnipeg Convention. Left to right, front row: Freeman Jenkins, President, District 26, United Mine Workers; Fred Dowling, Canadian director, United Packinghouse Workers; Vice-President Alex McAuslane, Ca- nadian director, International Oil Workers Union; President A. R. Mosher, President, Canadian Brotherhod of Railway Employees and Other Transport Workers; Vice- President C. H. Millard, Cana dian Director United Steelworkers; Secretary-Treasurer Pat Conroy; J. E. McGuire, secretary tri urer, CBRE&OTW: Rear row: Sam Baron, Canadian Director Textile Workers Union; Harry Chi pell, C.B.R.E. & O.T.W.; William Robitaille, Canadian Brotherhood of Municipal Employees; Stew- art Alsbury, President District 1, International Woodworkers; George Burf, Canadian Director United Automobile Workers, and Silby Barrett, director District 50, United Mine Workers, Vice-President Sol did the Union then actually at- tain its-present strength of over ‘25,000’ members, with a constant and steady trend of growth. The IWA is now the largest trade union in the province. The B.C, District is the strongest in the International Union. The IWA is the fourth largest Union within the Canadian Congress of Labor. Those Responsible This amazing record of resto- ration and growth as recorded at the B.C, District Council is the sum of loyal and persevering effort on the part of the Local Unions, To the loyal and active members and officers of these units goes the lion’s share of the credit, : throughout remote and scattered camps, but is now achieving a month to month increase of 40%. This Local Union is now tackling new organization problems along the Skeena River. Task Ahead The B.C. District Council, in co-operation with the Organiza- tion Department of the Interna- tional Union, is now planning organizational activity in those areas where there remain un- organized lumber workers. The B.C. District Council IWA is not resting on its oars. The orders are to continue organizing the unorganized, and persist in the improvement of the Union’s efficiency, till all objectives have been won, for the lumber workers, FG CHOP \ TRAVELLING TIME TO MINUTES Make more money Swing the lead instead © Single to Seven-Passenger Aircraft Await ER! Bog my Y ; Your Immediate Need. ASSOCIATED AIR TAXI NIGHT RICHMOND 1551 DAY BCLovsest/Worver Representing the Organized Loggert end Mill Workers of B.C. PUBLISHED TWICE MONTHLY BY INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS OF AMERICA (CIO-CCL) v4 B.C. DISTRICT COUNCIL No. 1. > DISTRIOT OFFICERS: President. Ast Vice-Presi Bnd Vice-Prest J, Stewart Alsbury Tom Bradley Joe Morris Robert Watters George H, Mitchell International Board Member.............Tom G, MacKenzie Address all communications to GEORGE H, MITCHELL, Secretary-Treasurer 45 Kingsway - Phone FAirmont 8807-8 Vancouver, B.C. :. Subscription Rates.........1.00 per annum Advertising Representative.........G. A. Spencer Authorized as Second Class Mall, Post Office Dept., Ottawa 26,000 COPIES PRINTED IN THIS ISSUER Spivak, Amalgamated Clothing Workers, was absent due to illness. INTERIOR AGREEMENT IN DISPUTE Application has been made by the IWA District Policy Committee to the Labor Rela- tions Board for a hearing at which an interpretation will be asked of the interim agreement signed by the IWA with the Northern and Southern Interior lumber operators. Issue is the payment of the 12% cent an hour increase for watchmen, boys, and female workers. The IWA Policy Committee contends, with the approval of the quarterly meeting of the B.C. District Council, that the intent of the interim agreement was to award the 12% cent an hour in- crease to all categories. The operators have attempted to apply a percentage increase only to those not now entitled to the base rate or over. The caleu- lation made’ by them would pro- vide these categories with a much lower increase than received by otlier workers in the industry. Cut Back A further matter in dispute with some operators is the cutting back, before’ granting any in- crease, of the rates for those in the higher categories, who previ- ously were in receipt of rates above the contract rate. The majority of the operators have observed the spirit of the agreement and have increased wage rates across the board, A small minority have lowered the rate in effect, before applying the increase. Workers in one category form- efly paid at the rate of $1.55 an hour were cut back to the $1.40 rate in the old schedule, before the increase. They now receive only $1.52%. This matter will also be ventil- ated before the Labor Relations Board. DESIONS: . PRINTING PLATES GRAVERS ARTIST SPECIAL WEEKLY RATES 1221 GRANVILLE STREET + VANCOUVER, B.C. Under New Management MArine 7235 Money Orders! When you want to send money by mail, use Canadian Bank of Commerce money orders. You can buy them at any Commerce branch in British Columbia. They can be mailed safely—can be cashed readily. Be safe when mailing money. Use Canadian Bank of Commerce Money Orders. THE cath ax BANK OF COMMERCE 80 Branches in British Columbia