“CONVENTION SUPPLEMENT

this week reveals signal gains
growth, organization, financial

during 1950.

The report sounds a note of
confidence and pride in*its de-
scription of the attack made by
the IWA upon problems of
workers in the B.C. lumber in-
dustry and those relating to
erganization on an industry-wide
basis.

Increased Membership

‘Delegate representation per-
smitted by the IWA Constitution
will result in the largest District
Convention on récord. Attendance
at the convention will approxi-
mate 150.

All Local Unions have reported
per capita-dues payments which
have enabled them to increase
their representation beyond their

juotas of former years. Repre-
entation is secured on the basis
of one delegate for the first 100
members, and qne additional dele-

\ gate for each additional 300
members, or major fraction
thereof. —

Membership growth during
1950 is reported as “tremendous”.
The monthly average of dues-
paying members exceeded the
1949 level by 5,000, despite the
long shut-downs early in the
year. Mainly during the second
half of 1950, the membership re-
turns increased by over 8,000, to
bring the strength of the B.C.
District, IWA, close to the figure
of 27,000. It is also noted that
returns made later than those
prepared for the convention, in-
dicate that this figure is steadily
mounting.

Finances Improved

A remarkable growth! in mem-
bership is reflected in the im-
proved financial position of the
District Council. ‘The report cites
a number of financial commit-
ments assumed during the year
to meet emergent demands of
negotiations and organization.
Additional staff was required,
arbitration and organizational
costs were higher than formerly.

THE
VANCOUVER

“LABOR COUNCIL
(CIO-CCL)

sends
‘ FRATERNAL

GREETINGS AND
_ GOOD WISHES

to the

IWA ANNUAL
CONVENTION

tory of B.C.’s largest
Union, and may the New
Year carry forward the
good work.

.

. President |

REPORT of the officers of the B.C. District Council, IWA,
submitted to the 34th Annual District Convention in Victoria

for the Union in membership
stability, and achievement of

improyed wages and working conditions among lumber workers

Nevertheless the general account

of the District, operating on the
narrow margin of 13 cents per
member per month had a deficit
of only $403.59. This small de-
fict was more than recovered
from the sum of $10,760, realized
from the special assessment of
$1.00 authorized by the previous
District Convention as at Dec. 31.

In addition the strike fund and
other special funds of the Union
are shown to be in a healthy
state.

The District Officers point to
the fact-that although unforeseen
expenses were thrust upon the
Union, important and expanded
services were made available to
the membership.

‘Organization

The section of the report deal-
ing with organization states that
the promotion of IWA organiza-
tion reached its highest pitch
during 1950 throughout the Prov-
ince of British Columbia. In each
Local Union, operations pre-
viously organized, developed
plant and camp activities to a
higher level of efficiency. Terri-
tory which had formerly been
neglected due to limited resources
was covered by experienced or-
ganizers. Weak spots were
strengthened, and more efficient
administration accomplished in
all sections.

A large number of new certifi-
cations were secured during the
year, indicating that membership
growth has been accompanied

by an increased area of organiza-
tion.

B.C. Lumber Worker

The official organ of the Union,
wholly owned and controlled by
the B.C. District Council, is re-
ported as being in a healthier
financial position than at any
time since its inception. The
publication has consistently
shown an operating surplus for

the greater part of the year and

on the whole year’s administra
tion returned an operating sur-
plus of $885.00.

Advertising revenue inéreased,
enabling steps to affect a number
of improvements in the journal,
and maintain a distribution ap-
proximating 26,000.

By every test of sound ad-
ministration the IWA made
Sweeping progress in 1950. For
these reasons the District Officers
have called 1950 a “banner year”
for the Union.

e Of 14th Annual Convention

January 19, 20 and 21, 1951
Crystal Gardens, Victoria, B.C.

Friday, January 19
Morning Session, 10 a.m. to 12 am.—
O Canada -
Opening—Bro. Robert Fleming,
President, Local 1-118, IWA, Victoria.
Invocation—Senior Captain W. Ratcliffe,
Salvation Army Citadel, Victoria.
IWA Welcome—Bro. Robert Fleming.
Civic: Weleome—His Worship Mayor P. George,
City of Victoria.
Presentation of Gavel to District President—
Bro. J. Stewart Alsbury.
Election of Convention Committees—
Resolutions
(Pro tem Chairman, Bro. Rae Eddie)
Credentials
(Pro tem Chairman, Bro. Neil Shaw)
Constitution and by-Laws
Officers’ Reports
Organization
Credit Unions and Co-operatives
Sergeant-at-Arms
Address—Bro. Dan Radford, Regional Director,
Canadian Congress of Labor.
Address—Bro. Harry Chappell, National Exec.
Member, Canadian Congress of Labor.
Afternoon Session, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.—
Address—Bro. J. E. Fadling, Int’l. President,
IWA-CIO.
Interim Report—Credentials Committee.
Resolutions—Report of Committee.
Address—Hon. John Cates, Minister of Labor,
Victoria.

Saturday, January 20
Morning Session, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.—
Resolutions—Report of Committee.
Address—Bro. Robert Smeal,

Chairman, Victoria Labor Council.
Address—Commissioner Chris. Pritchard,

Workmen’s Compensation Board.

Afternoon Session—
Resolutions—Report of Committee.
Address—Bro. Al Hartung,

Int'l. Vice-President, IWA-CIO.
Report—Constitution and By-Laws Committee.
Address—Mr. D’Arcy Baldwin,

Chairman, Labor Relations Board.
Address—Mr. John Humphreys, Rehabilitation

Officer, Workmen’s Compensation Board.
Report of District Safety Council.

Evening Session (if necessary) —

Recommendations of District Safety Council.
Resolutions.

Sunday, January 21
‘Morning Session, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.—

Report of Organization Committee.
Report of Officers’ Reports Committee.
Resolutions.
Afternosn Session, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.—
Special Reports. ~
Report of Credit Unions and Co-operatives Committee.
Nomination of District Officers—3 p.m.
Good and Welfare.

FIRST PAGE

CONVENTION OFFICERS
ae fe |

District President.

Test

Tom Bradley

4 ‘
Bob Watters Tom MacKenzie

THE
CANADIAN.
CONGRESS OF
LABOR

Extends Fraternal Greetings

On behalf of the CCF,
of the IWA on the

HAROLD E. WINCH, M.L.A.

May 1951 see further advances in the living standards of all workers in B. C. to
which the CCF pledges.its best endeavours.

Leader of the Opposition, B. C
t and

GRANT McNEIL |
Provincial President, CCF

, B. C.-Yukon Section, extend greetings to the members
occasion of their 14th Annual District Convention.

to the

IWA ANNUAL
CONVENTION

e
May the New Year bring

prosperity and further ‘suc-
cess to add to the memor:

able achievements of 1950.

Greetings to the

and
sol

IWA ANNUAL CONVENTION

UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA (CIO-CCL) :

PEN BASKIN, Internationa! Representative

may all resolutions lead toward the
idarity and strength of your Union
_during the Coming Year

DAN RADFORD
» Reglonal Director t

501 Vancouver Block
Vancouver, B.C.

Vancouver, B.C.

—