B.C. LUMBER WORKER Page 9 -JT may be said to Pie Went ue ‘woods Ltd., all for ea By J. Stewart Alsbury Praise For Quesnel credit of the workers in the plant of Quesnel, the lumbe: - For this reason Sieererc tn that they are now carrying in the Interior of the prov- be warmly congratulated on the solidarity which they have shown in their stand for coast wages and working conditions, This was appreciated by all members of B.C, District Council when it was learned that . __ the Quesnel ply- , wood workers were prepared to reject the maj- ority report of the Conciliation . Board which heard their dis- pute with the _ company. If they succeed _in breaking down the false tradition that Interior workers are worth less than coast workers, they will strike a powerful blow to expose the low conspiracy so stubbornly defended by Interior operators. We'll Win Tam convinced that the determi- nation of the plywood workers at Quesnel to gain their just will win, as it won the p the loggers in the operations of Columbia Cellulose at Terrace. ‘The company was unable to ad- vance any valid economic reason for paying lower wages at Ques- nel than are now paid in their Vancouver plant, As indicated during the hear- ings of the Board, and by the reasoning disclosed in the major- ity report, the over-ruling con- sideration in opposing coast contract terms, was the “gentle- men’s agreement” among Interior operators. Wrong-Way Conciliation I contended on the Board that the claims of the Quesnel workers for the same wages and conditions as granted workers for identical work at the coast should be considered on the evi- dence having a direct bearing on their circumstances. An agree- ment among Interior operators to maintain low wages was no justification for sealing down these demands. When I filed my minority re- port, it was with the belief that my fellow members on the Board had over-reached themselves in an attempt to conciliate the Northern Interior Lumber Manu- facturers Association rather than conciliate the actual dispute. Evidently the company was un- der great pressure to hold the low-wage line for the Associa- tion, If the hoax, that low wages are good for the Interior is ex- ploded at Quesnel, it will hearten workers from Prince George to the Crows Nest Pass to blow it sky-high throughout the whole Interior, 1-71 SUPPORTS OIL STRIKERS Support for the striking Shell Oil workers was expressed and plans made to advise IWA camps that the cargo of company tankers should be considered “hot”. President Frank Howard has recently engaged in negotiations with operators in the Terrace area to secure agreements which conform with that recently sign- ed with Columbia Cellulose Ltd. Further conferences will be held in the matter with the operators’ representatives in Vancouver. While in the district he was successful in securing a retro- active adjustment for firemen employed by Little, Haughland and Kerr, who had been working a 48-hour week without overtime rates. Claims for arrears to January 1 were established. 1-217 STRIKERS HOLD FIRM As persistent efforts to achieve a satisfactory settle- ment made by officers of Local 1-217, IWA, have to date failed of acceptable results, the [WA strikers at Lama Wood Pro- ducts are maintaining their picket lines with determination and vigilance, Close contact has been main- tained by the Local Union officers with developments ,and prospects are reported to be bright for another IWA victory. Conciliation proceedings will now be required to settle the dis- pute between the Local Union and the Venetian Blind Division of Jones Tent and Awning Ltd. Conciliation Officer G. Chambers has recommended the appoint- ment of a Conciliation Board, haying failed to bring the dis- puting parties into agreement. Chrom-O-Craft - he settlement achieved by the Local Union, as the outcome of the strike at Chrom-O - Craft gained a wage increase of 35 cents an hour for male workers and 26 cents an hour for female workers. Job classifications with more equitable category rates were also established. Annual Picnic Six thousand IWA members, their wives and families will ren- dezvous in Confederation Park, Burnaby, July 22, when the Local Union stages its monster annual pienic. A program of fun and sociability will commence at 11 am. and will include exciting sports events, and very special entertainment for the young- sters, with pony rides, races, ice cream and soft drinks. Valuable prizes will be awarded during the | day. © Directions are to travel | east on Hastings St. and turn | two blocks north on Willington. | LOGGERS PROTEST COMPANY. BLUNDERS Refusal of Kelley Logging Co, to make any allowance for the operation of power saws owned and used by fallers en- gaged in fighting fire at Aero Camp, Q.C.I., has been dis- puted by Local 1-71, IWA. Claim has been made at the rate usually paid for costs of operation under such circum- stances. The fallers who lodged com- plaint with the Union state that they were ordered to use their power saws in fighting fire by the company, and in protection of company timber. They were paid the fallers’ day rate with- out any allowance for mainten- ance and repairs on their own power saws. Under such circumstances the Government Forestry Service makes _ an allowance ranging from $1.50 per hour upwards, in compensation for the costs in- curred by fallers in the upkeep of their equipment. , Loggers Stranded Another grievance originating in Quéen Charlotte Islands con- cerns the plight of loggers who were flown to Justkatla Camp, one day after the camp had been closed down for fire season, The camp was closed down at 7 am, on Friday. At 9:80, the following morning a plane load of loggers was despatched to the camp by the company from Van- couyer. Company officials ruled that the loggers were responsible for their own fare both ways, and refused to accept any responsi- bility in the matter. One logger had the funds to pay his return fare, The others were forced to proceed to Aero Camp, where they found work fighting fire. Plane fare one way is approximately $50.00. Local 1-71, IWA, contends that under the circumstances, the company officials in Vancouver should have known over the radio-telephone that the camp was closed down, and should therefore have accepted responsi- bility for their blunder, without unjustly penalizing the loggers who acted in good faith. 1941 We were so broke we lived on hamburg for a week. 1951 We lived on hamburg for a week—so we’re broke. W. WESTMINSTER BUSINESS GUID McLeod Cleaners & Dyers Free Pick-up and Delivery 2-Day Service Main Plant: 1202 Kingsway Phones: N.W. 2252 or N.W. 4391 Call Offices WALLEY and McKAY FOR FIRE- AUTO INSURANCE See Bob Dey Room |, B.C. Electric Bldg., Representing CHRISTIE AGENCIES LTD. suspender buttons. Your Best Buy Is An EATON Brand . . . Choose Gatonia Overall Pants Union made . . . 8-oz. blue denim overall pants! Sanforized shrunk for longer, more comfortable wear. Featuring 5 pockets ... belt loops... Sizes 30 to 46. Choose EATONIA for your best dollar-for-dollar value in the medium-price field. Pair $3.95 EATON’S WORK CLOTHING — MAIN FLOOR