3 j | B.C. LUMBER WORKER Page 9 NTERNATIO AFL Wor kers Sacrifice $4’ Million BECAUSE the AFL lumber and sawmill workers in the Pacific North West States disdained to seek any health and welfare benefits last year, an alleged membership of 23,500 will take a loss of $4% million in 1951, it is stated by International IWA officers. Individuals losses will average $200 in 1951, by forfeiting the benefits equivalent to 104 cents an hour in the health and welfare benefits gained last year by the IWA-CIO. The Federal Govern- members are reported to be ment formula for wage control does not include these gains. fuming over this loss, UNITED LABOR POLICY COMMITTEE lodged indignant protest with President Truman, and withdrew its representatives from the Wage Stabilization Board because of big business domination of the nation’s de- fence measures and wage policies. It was charged that the entire defense mobilization program had been entrusted to the few men re- eruited from the ranks of big business who believe they have a monopoly on experience, good ideas and patriotism. In every policy decision, the recommenda- tions of labor had been brushed aside. The Committee includes representatives of the ClO, AFL, and Railway Brotherhoods. SURVEY BY THE U.S. De- partment of Labor has shown that practically every major union in the nation has nego- tiated, to some extent, pension or “health and welfare” programs. About 47 percent of some 7.65 million workers under union plans are members of the CIO, com- pared to 35 percent in the AFL. The remaining 18 percent are with the unaffiliated or independ- ent unions, REPORTS indicate that com- plete labor unity — the organic unity of the AFL and ClO—has apparently been tabled for a time. Although the top levels of three of the major groups of or- ganized labor in the United States are co-operating with each other, the lack of organic unity has a telling effect of weakness down through the lower echelons. ON THE AIR... VANCOUVER 600-CJOR, Thurs. Green Gold = - - - - 7:00 p.m. CJAV Alberni, Thurs. Volce of the IWA = = 6:15 p.m. AFL The increase of 2.7 points for the month of January was the biggest. monthly jump in more than three years and one of the largest on record. The jump was largely due to the higher prices for food, ‘cloth- ing and home furnishings. The food index advanced from 220.2 to 224.4 as higher prices for most foods, particularly meats and vegetables, offset seasonal declines in eggs and oranges. The index of home furnishings and services went from 179.8 to 185.1 following advances in furni- ture, floor coverings and other household furnishings. Rents were not surveyed in January, and the index remained at 136.4, From August, 1939, to Febru- ary, 1951, the increase in the cost-of-living index was 73.8%. ee ® VALUE OF LUMBER export- ed to the U.S, in 1950 more than doubled the value exported in 1949, The value of Douglas fir for 1950 amounted to $58% million as compared with $20% million for 1949. The value of hemlock tripled-from $9 million in 1949 to more than $33 million in 1950. All indications point to another {record year for 1951, with a Britain Buys More Lumber Line costs are up 2.7 points. rose from 172.5 to 175.2 between January 2 and February, to an all-time high, reports the Dominion Bureau of Statistics. Canada’s cost-of-living index heavy demand and the present high prices. BRITAIN is planning to buy more lumber from British Colum- bia this year. Although mills are currently booked almost solid with orders from the U.K., other countries and the domestic market, present U.K. purchases run only until the end of June. However, lumber- men are almost definitely assured that further British orders are being contemplated. Spokesman for the British Board of Trade said that his country plans nearly to double its pre-war average purchases, which would keep the U.K. as B.C.’s biggest timber customer. Lumbermen report that prices are still strong for lumber here and that log prices are going sky- high. In London, England, officials of the Labor government retold the story of a man who complained to his doctor that sleeping pills did not help his insomnia. He asked the doctor for “some of that twi- light sleep I’ve heard about.” The doctor looked askance and ex- claimed, “Twilight sleep? Man, that’s only for labor!” Disgusted, the patient asked, “Isn’t there ANYTHING for us Tories?” Se eS Accident-Free Days S S SAFETY COMMITTEE, Vancouver Division, B.C. Forest Products Ltd., who have estab- record of 162 accident-free days. (Front row, left), E. Soane, L. Hunter, E. McLeod. left), A, Rankin, K. Phillips, H. Rimek, G, Russell, Said management to these safety on an outstanding performance. You haye ably demonstrated what may be co-operation.” (See also report, Page 6). HOME BUILDING STALLED OTTAWA. (CPA)—The Bureau of Statistics reveals that fewer Canadian homes were built to point of completion last year than the year before. During 1950 87,299 homes were completed in the country (excl with 89,533 the previous year. But last year more homes case a year previously. New luding Newfoundland) compared had been started than was the homes begun last year totalled 90,441, compared with 89,509 during 1949. House Again Rejects Check-off Parliamentary support for a bill to make the voluntary, re- vocable check off of union dues mandatory in all union contracts under federal jurisdiction, if ask- ed by the union, is growing. But the support is still not quite strong enough to make the bill law. In the House of Commons re- cently the resolution went down to defeat for the third time. In 1948, 35 members backed the move: in 1950, 45 supported it. On this occasion the bill was de- feated by 127 to 67. Angus MacInnis (Vancouver East), declared that nothing was involved in the amendment which had not been recognized in the country as necessary for years. Mover of the Bill was CCI’s Stanley Knowles, who said, “All of us in political life have said many times that labor plays an Smportant part in the life of Can- ada. “That is very true. Let us not only say it, but let us show it by passing a measure of this kind, and helping to place labor in its rightful place in our national picture.” Mr. MacInnis in response to a Liberal suggestion that unions strong enough to get the check off did not require. legislative help said, “Legislation should be designed not to protect the strong, but the weak.” ¢ Easter Bunnies for the Kiddies! , Baby Rabbits for Sale (By one of the Boys in Local 1-217) Give your kiddies an Easter Treat, and a levable pet throughout the years. Bill Stevens (Local 1-217, IWA) Call, Write, or Phone: 778 East 52nd Street, VANCOUVER, B.C. FRaser 2471 - Jusure Success in Lie! LEARN TECHNICAL METAPHYSICS Valuable In’ formation! CANADA SCHOOL OF TECHNICAL METAPHYSICS 2532 McKe nzie Street VANCOUVER, B.C. WOODWARD’S Hand-Made LOGGING BOOTS @ No. 1 Chrome Leather Uppers @ Highest Grade Leather Soles @ Non-Rust Eyelets 8-inch Tops. Price Delivered _ $21.95 7 Caulking __ $1.00 Extra This advertisement is not published or displayed by the aaa rit {uml Control Board or by the Gov. ernment of