February 1, 1951 B.C. LUMBER WORKER - Page 13 LABOR MINISTER _ PRAISES UNION .. ‘Tremendous strides made by organized labor in British Columbia during the last decade had been an impressive and healthy development, asserted Hon. John Cates, Minister of Labor, in his address before the 14th Annual District Conven- tion of the IWA in Victoria, January 19. The IWA deserved praise for its contribution to this growth, he stated. In 1939, the trade union mem- bership strength in the province was reported as 45,000; in 1950 total exceeded 146,000. In 1939 trade unions in B.C. had numbered 385; in 1950 this num- ber was over 761, The minister compliniented IWA officers on the sense of re- sponsibility which they had dis- played in conducting ‘union affairs. He expressed pleasure that critical negotiations in 1950 had been conducted without ran- cour or bitterness. No disclosure was made by the minister regarding any proposed legislative action at the ap- proaching session of.the Legisla- ture. It was his personal opinion, he said, that a minimum of legis- lation made for better relations. Too much law-making, he con- tended, might deprive citizens of their liberties. @pelegates Aid Laurel Strike Appeal of International President J. E. Fadling before the IWA Annual District Con- yention in Victoria on behalf of IWA strikers in Laurel, Miss., brought an immediate response from the delegates who dug into their pockets for a collection of over $126.00. Prospects are that Local Unions in B.C. will give favor- able consideration to further donations. President Fadling outlined the various phases of a prolonged struggle with a powerful inter- national monopoly, the Masonite Corporation, for fair wages and working conditions, A prolonged strike occurred in 1960. Local 4-448, IWA-CIO, struck again on January 1, 1951, when presented with a “final” offer from the corporation proposing a wage increase of only 7 cents an_hour. The corporation’s offer would bring the basic rate to only $1.10 an hour, 53 cents an hour less than paid by Masonite in its Cali- fornia plants. General Appeal International Secretary-Treas- urer Carl Winn has issued an appeal to all Local Unions for financial assistance on behalf of the strikers, He points out as “inhuman” the action of the corporation in|’ ordering discontinuance of the free clinical service previously available to all employees, but now restricted to those not on strike. Carl Winn said that the letter to the employees on this score made it sound as if the service had been charity instead of be- ing charged off by about four per eent annually on its gross pay- utions should be sent to the IWA, 418 Governor eee Portand 4, Ore., for account and transmittal to Local 4-443. Checks to be pay- able to J. E. Dicey, Local Busi- ness Agent. _ SAN FRANCISCO = TAILORS — LOAN MONEY ON 4 IWA MEN ON COUNCIL Four well-known IWA mem- bers were elected to positions on the Greater Vancouver and Lower Mainland Labor Coun- cil at the annual meeting held January 23. District Secretary-Treasurer George H. Mitchell was returned for ~his fourth term as Vice-President of the Council, while District President J. Stewart Alsbury was named as a mem- ber of the Grievance Committee. Stu- art Hodgson, Financial Secretary of Local 1-217 IWA, was elected by ac- clamation as Chairman of the Griev- ance Committee and Financial Secre- tary Lawrence Vandale of Local 1-357 IWA was voted in as a member of the Organization Committee. New Executive ‘The tellers’ report showed the new Council Executive to be as follows: President: Pen Baskin; Vice-Presi- dent: George H. Mitchell; Secretary- Treasurer: Jim Bury (Acclamation). Committee Chairmen: Legislative— Dick Henham; Grievance — Stuart Hodgson (Acclamation) ; Organization —Hugh Allison; Credentials — Sam Shannon (Acclamation). Committee Members: Legislative— N. Sadler, G. Home, P. Tirrell, V. PRESIDENT’S COLUMN By J. Stewart Alsbury GOOD OMEN FOR 1951 It was an honor and privilege to preside at the 14th Annual District Convention in Victoria. an exceptional opportunity to witness our Union at work, as it deliberated matters of great importance to our fellow-workers. I brought down the gavel to close the convention with pride that the delegates had done a grand The conduct of the convention would easily bear comparison with * those of older and wealthier organiza- ‘tions. Genuine co- ‘operation prevailed _/ ito faciiltate the smooth transaction re of business. ‘The debates were of a high order, and gave evidence of a constructive outlook, and the desire to reach unity in action for our Union. Most important of all, the de- sires of the members were given free and democratic expression. Decisions reached were a clear expression of the will of the rank and file membership. It is my pleasant duty to con- gratulate the members of the convention committees. It is not always realized that committee members bear the brunt of con- vention work. Without exception, their reports were well consid- ered and presented the delegates with the opportunity to reach clear-cut decisions with despatch. ‘The convention completed a full MacKenzie; Grievance—S. Alsbury, E. Orr, C. Stuart, G. Gieger; Organiza tion—L. Vandale, D. Radford, W. Symington, B, Adair; Credentials—J. Lucas and H. Middleton (Acclama- tion). ‘Stu’ Examines Union Label The 2,600 members of|°. inner pocket by Tip Top Tailors, Vancouver, when the new suit was tailored and presented on instructions from the ACWA. ges oes have not been MAIL ORDER DEPT. oa3 An additional Service for Camps our Salesmen . Write for Our SELF MEASURING CHART We have alsq added a line of HABERDASHERY — SHIRTS - SOCKS - TIES - Etc. 2 Stores to Serve You In Vancouver, B.C. 1. Hastings at Carrall: & 2. Granville at Nelson UNION-MADE GARMENTS able to cover. From this vantage point I had | enjoyment, and assisted in oper- ating the convention machinery. I ask Local 1-118 IWA to con- sider that they have received a formal and enthusiastic vote of thanks from the convention dele- gates. The course has now been set for our activities in 1951, We have a full program, which will demand our utmost loyalty and zeal. job. agenda in the three-day session, with only one oversight, for ‘which I desire to make amends now. I am certain that every dele- gate in attendance at the conven- tion would wish me to extend their keen appreciation to the of- |ficers and members of Local 1- 118, Victoria, for the hospitable and efficient manner in -which they catered to our comfort and The convention spirit was the best possible omen that the [WA in British Columbia will establish new landmarks of accomplish- ment, 3 BIG 3 TAILORS MEN’S CLOTHING and FURNISHINGS @ STORAGE SERVICE © Cleaning, Pressing and Expert Repairing Phone: MArine 1737 332 Carrail St. VANCOUVER a) g. W. Gow & 0. LIMITED PRINTING & LITHOGRAPHING An Employee Owned Company 3 1530 W. 4th Ave. <> Vancouver. B.C. _ Printers of The B.C. Lumber Worker J INTRODUCING WOODWARD'S STAR UNION MADE Sanforized Shrunk 9 ounce | DENIM WORK CLOTHING FOR MEN "7” STAR FEATURES (1) Form Fitting Outsize (4) Full Fly Rip-Proof f Crotch (2) Safety Bib and Rule (5) Special Pocket Con- Pocket arncaon (3) Sanforized Shrunk 9- (6) Laboratory Tested ounce Denim (7) Each Garment inspected 4 times SMOCKS BIB OVERALLS WORK PANTS H $4.75 each $4.75 pair $3.95 pair VANCOUVER “YOUR WESTERN SHOPPING CENTER” ORDER IN PERSON OR SHOP BY MAIL Qut-of-town Customers write for Catalogue CRUISER Champion of All Lightweight @ Caulked Boots @ Featuring _ High Carbon Steel Oil _ > Tempered Boot Calks FOR SURE GRIP Another Favorite... HEAD’S famous “SAFETY TOE BOOTS” for Mill Workers W. J. HEAD BOOT FACTORY LIMITED 21 East Hastings St. (PA. 4844) Vancouver, B. C. “HEADS YOU WIN”