Page 2 B.C. LUMBER WORKER FROM PAGE I CONVENTION Convention Banquet The atmosphere of serious at- tention to the Union’s affairs was enlivened by the fraternal sociability of the Convention ban- quet and dance on the first eve- ning. _ With Local 1-118, IWA, Victoria, a host on the occasion, IWA delegates, Vancouver Island IWA members, their wives and friends, gaily dined together, and adjourned to the ballroom of the Crystal Gardens for an evening’s dancing. Guests on the occasion were the fraternal visitors’ to the con- vention Hon. John Cates, Minis- ter of Labor, and members of the Labor Relations Board. Guest speakers during the con- vention included Hon. John Cates, Mr. D’arcy Baldwin, Chairman of the Labor Relations Board; Mr, Chris Pritchard, Commissioner, Workmen’s Com- pensation Board; Jack Hum- phrey, Rehabilitation Officer, W.C.B.; Harry Chappell, Execu- tive Representative of the Cana- dian Congress of Labor, and Dan Radford, President of the B,C. Federation of Labor. International Officers present and who addressed the conyen- tion were President J. E. Fadling, and Vice-President Al Hartung. These officers were prominent in committee discussion of IWA problems. Convention Decisions The major decisions reached by the convention were: The formulation of the 1951 contract demands, with auth- orization to resume bargaining talks for an early settlement. A recommendation for a $2.00 assessment during 1951, for purposes of the District organization, to be submitted to a membership referendum. The nomination of District Officers, for submission on a referendum ballot immediately. Election of District Safety Council officers, with the recommendation that a full- time Safety Director be ap- pointed as finances permit. Support for the IWA strikers at the Masonite Corporation, Laurel, Miss. Adoption of plans ‘for con- tinued trade union education. Re-affirmation of support for the political action program of the Canadian Congress of Labor, with preliminary steps to promote discussion of poli- tical action in the Local Unions. Endorsation of plans to ii crease number of full-time Dis- trict Officers for administra- tive and organization purposes. Declared for labor unity as between the recognized bodies of organized labor in Canada. Demanded the retention of provisions for absentee voting in the Provincial Elections Act. Joined with the B.C. Federa- tion of Labor in demanding a less restrictive ICA act, and a curb on the arbitrary powers assumed by the Labor Rela- tions Board. Declared for price control and expressed opposition to any wage freeze or “no strike” policy. Prepared amendments to the District By-laws. Endorsed the principle of the guaranteed annual wage. Pressed for amendents to the Unemployment Insurance Act, whereby benefits would be paid in cases of sickness, Endorsed the principle of equal pay for equal work. Requested old age pensions of $75.00 at 60 years. Protested the increase in the price of milk, and censured the arbitrary action of a one-man Milk Board. Outlined a stepped-up pro- gram of safety for the lumber industry. Pressed for genuine measures of forest conservation. Made friendly overtures to the Lumber Inspector’s Union and the B.C. Woodworkers Union. Adyocated more adequate accommodation in B.C. hospi- tals. Numerous proposals for im- provement in the master con- tract were received and considered but were finally re- fererd to the IWA Wages and Contract Conference. 9 Cents Award For Sweeney’s Conciliation Board dealing with the dispute between the IWA, Local 1-217, and Swee- ney’s Cooperage Ltd. (Mill sec- tion), this week made an unanimous award recommend- ing substantial increased bene- fits for the employees. Financial Secretary S. M. Hodgson, Local 1-217, was the Union’s nominee on the Board. The award recommended: Nine cents an hour wage in- crease. (This is to be in addition to the 12% cents granted under the Coast Master agreement when the employees forsook the AFL for the [WA). Four paid statutory holidays. Union shop conditions. Ten category revisions, with upward adjustments ranging from 2 to 14 cents an hour. One week’s vacation with pay after one year’s service or 2% whichever may be the greater. Two weeks vacation with pay after four years service. Retroactive adjustment to January 15, 1951, date of termi- nation of agreement. LADYSMITH BUSINESS GUIDE | AIRD — JEWELLER The Ladysmith Chronicle "Phone 265 — LADYSMITH Watch, Jewellery and Clock Re- poits, Watches, Diamonds, Engagement and Wedding Rings, atc. A Union Shop Society and Commercial Printing at Fair Prices ‘Phone 23. LADYSMITH, B.C. DUNCAN BUSINESS GUIDE WELCH’S FOUNTAIN LUNCH Home Cooking That You Will Like DUNCAN, B.C. VOGUE CLEANERS Truck calls at Mesachie Lake, Cowichan Lake, Crofton and south to Shawnigan Hats Cleaned and Blocked Press While U Wait Phone 360 DUNCAN, B.C. J. LINDSAY LOUTET (€, Bradshaw & Co.) INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE DUNCAN, 131 Jubilee Street BRANCH: LAKE COWICHAN Paul’s Building COMPLIMENTS THE ODEON THEATRE Phone 11 Duncan British Columbia Single $2 Assessment For 1951 Approved To Aid District Plans Most spirited discussion in open sessions of the TWA District Convention was that which followed the report of the Officers’ Reports Committee. Chairman was Walter Allen, President, Local 1-85, and Secretary Lawrence Van: dale, Local 1-857. Debate centred around the recommendation of the commit- tee favoring an increase in mem- bership dues in order to provide for a number of new under- takings on the part of the Dis- trict Council. Member of the Committee, Fred Fieber submitted a minority report proposing that in 1951 one assessment of $2.00 should be levied. Outcome of the debate, which had as its main purpose the more satisfactory provision for the Union’s program was the en- dorsement of the assessment method. It was the contention of its supporters that the assess- ment would be favored by the membership as the most direct and satisfactory method of strengthening the District finances for the tasks outlined in negotiations, organization, and other projects. The committee approved the investment of strike funds in Credit Unions and Government securities, and endorsed the pro- posal to place a Vice-President on the pay-roll. Subject to satisfactory finan- cial arrangements, now to be im- plemented by the assessment, if approved, the following conclu- sions were submitted and ap- proved by the convention. “The committee further com- mends the District Safety Coun- cil for their fine work in present- ing the brief before Chief Justice Gordon McGregor Sloan in re- spect to changes to the Work- men’s Compensation Act and Safety Regulations, and to the officers and members within our organization who offered their services in aid of the Safety Gouncil’s brief and to représenta- tives of the B.C. Federation of Labor and other affiliate organi- zations who assisted in this noble effort. Finances The Officers’ Report Commit- tee wish to congratulate the table officers of the District with re- spect to the finances during the past year. It is recognizable that under the conditions that they were presented with at the be- ginning of the year and the re- sulting financial position as at the end of 1950, would speak well for the handling of finances of the B.C. District No. 1, It is the opinion of the Committee that | | everyone recognizes the difficul- ties that the table officers were placed under in the matter of handling finances, and the Com- mittee recommends the endorsa- tion of the table officers’ report as presented to the convention on the matter of finances. Negotiations In the report from the table officers, negotiations is broken down into three points. CALLOUS TREATMENT Treatment of an injured TWA member, Gordon Gibbs, has re- cently caused consternation in Local 1-867, and has provoked an effort to secure community co- operation for better hospital accommodation. The injured man suffered severe wounds as a result of a large splinter penetrating his chest, while he was dogging on the head rig. The doctor in attendance con- sidered that he required treat- ment beyond the facilities of the Mission hospital and drove him to New Westminster. B At both the Royal Columbian and St, Mary’s Hospitals he was denied admittance and was com- pelled to undergo the dangerous return trip to Mission without hospital treatment. IWA members of Local 1-367 are wondering what considera- tion would be given an accident (1) Coast (2) Interior (8) Furniture The Policy Committee is elect- ed at the Wages and Contract Conference and the policy to be followed is also established at the Conference. The Committee recognizes that negotiations on each issue could and does develop into a separate issue. The Coast negotiations are the primary negotiations and it is recognized by the Committee that the other negotiations are based on the result of the Coast nego- tiations. It is ‘also recognized by the Committee that the Utopia for negotiations would be one con- tract for all of the IWA in British Columbia. It is also recognized by the Committee that such a goal, at the present time, cannot be accomplished until such time as the membership are prepared as a whole to enforce the thinking of B.C. District No. 1. ss In the negotiations during the past year the thinking of the membership has been that the previously mentioned thought was attempted to be carried out. But again the Committee repeats that until the membership are pre- pared, as a whole, to enforce this thinking, we will not accomplish this Utopia. * Holiday With Pay The Officers’ Report Commit- tee wish to commend the District Officers for their success in en- forcing the “Holiday With Pay” clause in our contract to the definite financial benefit of the general membership. Education The Committee, in their de- liberations, have discussed educa- tion to very great k and it is the thinking of the Committee bel a incoming te should levelop a program of education, organization and administration to be based solely on a revised per capita structure. B.C. Lumber Worker .The Officers’ Report Committee wishes to extend to the District Council, the Editorial Board and the Public Research Bureau, their sincerest appreciation for the publishing and administra- tion of the B.C. Lumber Worker in the past year, as the best labor paper published and one of the best voices of labor over the air through the medium of Green Gold, CJOR. The Committee also wish to commend the District Safet Council and we quote, “through the medium of our paper publi- city on one of the most outstand- ing safety programs in North America for which we were commended by the National Safety Council.” Much more Safety Council but the Commit tee feels that words are inade- quate to express the thinking of every man on the job. We wish to repeat the words of Brother Chris Pritchard, “That if the job is not safe, do not work on that job.” In conclusion, the Officers’ Re- port Committee would like to thank the District Officers, Job Stewards, Safety Committee Men, Local Union Officers, Sub- Local Officers, International Officers, and Office Staff's in the various offices of the District Council No. 1, and Local Unions, for their kind co-operation witich made 1950 such a successful year for our Union, and it is our ear- nest hope that the same co- operation may be extended to the new officers who may be coming into office.” * MEAT MARKET CHEMAINUS, B.C, CHEMAINUS BUSINESS GUIDE For Quality Meats at Moderate Prices Phone 253° We Deliver HANEY BUSI (Graham HANEY “ESQUIRE” Men's Wear a Complete Stock of Work and Dress Clothing “THE STORE WITH THE POPULAR BRANDS” NESS GUIDE Mowatt) BRITISH COLUMBIA Victoria Street KAMLOOPS BUSINESS GUIDE COMMODORE CAFE Kamloop’s Leading Restaurant Since 1927 ‘i Kamloops, B. C. PORT ALBERNI MacGREGOR’S MEN'S WEAR For Everything a Man Wears WORK, SPORT or DRESS We can afford to Sell the BEST for LESS Phone 1600 case at the point of death, WOODWARD STORES (PORT ALBERNI) L7D. “Your Family Shopping Contre” " “Closed Wednesdays All Day” BUSINESS GUIDE MacDONALD’S PHARMACY Prescriptions, Drug Sundries First Aid Supplies Registered Optometrist Argyle Street Port Alberni Hours: 9-5:30 comment could be added to th commendation of the DistriG@> oP ag ee 4 3 :