B.C. LUMBER WORKER Page Four Thirteen Cents ALTHOUGH District Convention decisions cannot be anticipated, the circumstances now shaping those de- cisions in the minds of the IWA membership are apparent. Out of the progress experienced in 1950 will stem the demand for a still more ambitious program in 1951. Administrative responsibilities of the IWA in British Columbia will be well to the fore, and will undoubtedly receive the close attention of convention delegates. Back- ground information on present administration limitations should therefore be considered by IWA members in ad- vance of the convention to ensure that their desires are|4 possible of fulfillment, Whatever policy decisions may be made, it follows that financial plans must be made accordingly in order to pro- vide ways and means to attain the objectives outlined. Main consideration will be the administration of activi- ties under the jurisdiction of the B.C. District Council, which body co-ordinates and combines the united strength of the Local Unions on matters of over-all policy. Any expansion of program will place additional burdens on the District Office, however these may be shared with the Local Unions. The extent to which the members require expansion of activity is the measure of their responsibility to finance these additional requirements. The coat of administration must be cut according to the financial cloth. wok PERUSAL of the 1950 Convention resolutions, and sub- ~_ sequent proceedings of the District Council, indicate the trend of thought in the IWA and the probable shape of new demands. Negotiations for the 1951-52 master agreement will overshadow and influence convention planning. Rapidly rising living costs and the disparity with American wages, will inspire a demand for improved contract terms, _ The Union may expect even more determined opposi- tion from the operators to fresh contract demands in 1951, than was experienced in 1950. A wage freeze may be in the offing, because of defence preparations, hence the urgency of the early adjustment of wages. - To cope ade- quately with the situation, the District organization will be faced with the necessity of developing stronger and more efficient organization. Every known strategy in the book will be required. Any such contingency will require organization of a type and extent beyond the present scope of the work of the International Organization department. Its promo- tion will fall on the District organization. kK * EDUCATION is an essential requirement for the full de- velopment of the Union’s strength. Improved facilities are required to inform and enlighten the membership on the issues before the IWA. More shop stewards must be recruited, and trained in their duties, for they form the backbone of the organization. More IWA members should have the opportunity to become conversant with union administration, and the procedures of collective bar- gaining, = Up to this point, the resources available to the District office have not permitted any extensive educational work. A program of real value would provide for the more exten- sive organization of training classes in all centres, and the use of such equipment as film projectors, and sound recorders. CIO unions in the United States have blazed the trail in modern trade union education. KK ‘HILE economic strength and militancy on the job are the prime factors in a struggle, the Union cannot afford to disregard public relations. The circulation of the official organ does not extend much beyond the IWA mem- bership. The Green Gold radio program is at present the main channel, through which information regarding the Union’s aims may be conveyed to the general public, _Any publicity campaign fo appeal for Support of public opinion, using modern techniques, must necessarily be the responsibility of the District Office, but with present resources it is quite beyond reach, $ It is an open secret that the No. 1 headache of the District Organization has been the problem of financing the services demanded by the membership, It was first necessary to overcome the handicaps re- sulting from the seizure of the Union’s funds by the LPP-WIUC disrupters in 1948. From time to time, it was necessary to meet urgent demands caused by emergency situations, in order to wage a determined fight for union security and better wages at the Coast and in the Interior. Help had to be rendered the weaker Local Unions. Never was the District organization able to overtake completely the ever-increasing demands for services required by the members, While the Union’s financial position has improved, it has not yet been made possible to successfully budget for | a planned program of activity, and simultaneously provide WAKE UP ! EDITORIAL WOMEN IN THE UNION OMEN workers have won their place in woodwork- ing operations and work side by side with the men, skill- fully. The IWA hag readily extended to them full recogni- tion of their rights on the job and has consistently fought on their behalf to establish the principle of equal pay for equal work, Women workers in the wood- working industry have not taken: their rightful place as yet in the Union which repre- sents their interests. Within the IWA there is no discrimi- nation against any worker because of sex, and they may claim equal status in union affairs with their fellow trade unionists. Their interests would be bet- ter served if they participated in Local Union meetings and secured recognition from their fellow-members of the desir- ability of electing some women delegates to District Conven- tions. Women workers have just as much at stake in the decisions of the District Conventions as .the men. They can make an important contribution to the welfare of the IWA, as women do in other trade unions. Most all they can keep re- minding the members of the IWA that equal pay for equal work is to the advantage of all the workers in the industry. It may be that the brothers need prompting from the sis- ters in this respect, and that further attention should be given to well-balanced repre- sentation. It may be that the sisters feel conspicuous and self-conscious in a predomi- nantly male organization. Our advice to them is that they should serve their appren- ticeship in the Local Unions and they will find unlimited opportunities to impress their point of view on the Union to their own advantage as well as that of the Union, for Chrigimas YOUR DRUG NEEDS ae by Speedy Mail Order Service Christmas Gifts also available in wide selection by Mail through Knowltons Personal Shopping Servic, KNOWLTONS DRUGS 15 East Hastings St, VANCOUVER, B.C, My a YouLL NEED wou! So don’t lose your pay-cheque. Soon as you get it mail it tous | for safekeeping. If you wish to ie: cash all or any of it, we will do £ this by mail, too, “Banking-by- | Mail” with us protects your 3 money until the time when you need it. YY ao) 4 i CLIP THIS COUPON... Send me all information about protect> ing my pay against loss, and “Banking by Mail”, ; sexe vo =" BANKO*TO Incorporated 1855 Vancouver Branch, Dept. B. 3, Vancouver, B.C. 17 branches to serve you in British Columbia. for emergencies. (Continued on Page 9) LOANED ON SUITS AND OVERCO