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B.C. LUMBER WORKER

Get Out And Vote

JNTEREST of IWA members in the affairs of their own

communities, made evident this year by the nomination
of IWA members to City Councils, is highly commendable.
It is the natural result of the public-spirited policies pur-
sued by the IWA in recent years.

Men who are schooled in the principles of trade union
democracy, and co-operation for the common good, can
make an important contribution to the progress and wel-
fare of the communities in which they reside and raise
their families.

Trade unionists who accept responsibility on the gov-
erning bodies of their own communities and discharge
their trust with credit, render an important service to
their own unions. They may act as watch-dogs over the
interests of the workers, but of still greater importance,
they establish confidence in the purposes of the trade
union movement.

Never has it been so important to demonstrate that the
objectives of the trade union movement are coincident
with the well-being of the community. The trade unions
see more clearly than some other sections of the com-
munity that their welfare depends upon the welfare of
the whole. :

The role that-trade unionists play in their community ||
affairs is the most effective answer to the vicious propa-||}

ganda which alleges that trade unions are utterly selfish
in their demands. The prosperity and security of the

workers is the main factor in promoting the prosperity ||}
and security of the community. Trade unionists in public| |

affairs, motivated by the ideals of the trade union move-
ment, present the best type of citizenship in action.

This influence for better community government can-
not be realized unless it is whole-heartedly supported by
the rank and file of the trade union movement.’ It requires
that every trade unionist should meet his responsibilities
as a citizen of the community, and vote.

The IWA is not attempting to direct its members how
they shall vote in civic elections. The IWA does say, how-
ever, that every trade unionist with a vote should exercise
his franchise, 3

As trade unionists we cannot reasonably demand the
benefits of democracy, unless we accept the responsibilities
of democracy. One fundamental responsibility required
by democracy is that we should all exercise our right to
vote.

It was a vight for which the early trade unionists
fought a bitter and bloody fight. They fought for the right
to vote that they might enjoy freedom of association and
freedom from degrading poverty. We can only maintain
our full right to enjoy these and greater freedoms by
using our right to vote and using it intelligently.

Civic elections are only a few days away. It requires
no great effort to get out and vote. Claim the right to
your citizenship.

Vote as you please, but vote.

Strength In LWA

N industrial union, such as the WA, includes in its ranks
many skilled tradesmen. It is only natural to expect
that they should take pride in the skills of their crafts,
which they have acquired through long apprenticeship,
and that they should demand a just reward for those skills.
For the most part, these tradesmen realize that their
bargaining strength is greater when exercised through the
union which bargains for all the workers in the industry.
It is the policy- of the IWA that their interests should be
fully safeguarded by the Union, while it bargains for all
the workers in the industry. By this policy, skilled work-
ers are protected against the threat to their own wage
standards of depressed wages paid to unskilled or semi-
skilled workers.

Wage scales negotiated by the IWA make provision for
categories in which wage rates are paid in accordance with
experience, skill and responsibility. These wage categories
can be adjusted by negotiation from time to time in order
to award higher wage rates, when justified.

Skilled tradesmen should recognize the opportunities
available to them through the IWA to advance their just
demands. They can take advantage of these opportunities
by attending their local union meetings and making their
demands known. By thus securing the support of their
fellow-members in the Union they will make greater pro-
gress than by complaining outside the Union. They will
receive generous treatment at the hands of their fellow-
members, who desire that every member should secure
just wages.

By acting through the IWA at this time, they can
secure consideration of their demands at the District Con-
vention which will direct bargaining strategy for next
years’s contract. Me

As skilled tradesmen strengthen the IWA, so they will
strengthen their wage position in the industry.

WARE DECOY! _

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LECKIE SETTLEMENT

Appreciation of action taken by the
B.C. District Council, WA, was re-
cently expressed by the International
Fur and Leather Workers’ Union.

Dear Friends:

Please accept our appreciation
for your moral support given to
the J. Leckie Shoe Co. strikers,
members of Local 610, Interna-
tional Fur & Leather Workers’
Union.

glad to know that in spite of all
difficulties and provocations,
threats of liquidation of the plant
and attempts to split our ranks,
the strike remained solid, and we
returned to work on Monday,
November 20th, 1950, after hav-
ing accepted a settlement which
we consider fair under the cir-
cumstances. Our gains are as fol-
lows:

An increase of 6 to 9 cents on
the guaranteed standard wage
rates,

4 per cent cost of living bonus

on top of total earnings for all
piece workers who perform above
the guaranteed rates.
An additional one per cent will
be added to the cost of living
bonus for every point rise in the
cost of living index above 171 per
cent and conversely when it de-
clines.

All increases are retroactive
to July 2nd, 1950.

All employees will get paid
four extra statutory holidays,
bringing up the total to 6 holi-
days with pay.

It was also agreed that some
clauses in the agreement, which
were the cause of various. griev-
ances will be deleted.

Our local is greatly appreci-
ative of the very good support
we received from the trade union
movement. i

With our fraternal greetings to
your officers and members, we
remain,

Yours fraternally,

PEARL WEDRO,

District Organizer,
International Fur & Leather
Workers’ Union,

J, TURNER, President.
H. HARRIS, Secy.

WONG

FUR AND LEATHER UNION SAYS THANKS ©

We are sure that you will be] |

WE SELL NEW AND UNREDEEMED SUITS anp C

IWA, stating that unless anti-labor —
tactics were discontinued, the Union
would place Leckie shoes on the "We
do not patronize list”. The letter of
appreciation follows:

During the strike at J. Leckie Shoe
Co. and under the authority of the
B.C. District Council, representations
were made to the company by the

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