aS | yal Bank Bld, ‘Ro i Otte! Publication of the Jeelohnational Weoduorters of America vt. distri Covrcl No.1. ' e Vol. XIX, No. 92 SS July 19, 1951 5c per copy ‘Vancouver, B.C. INTERNATIONAL PRESI- DENT James E. Fadling tells IWA Distr ght Fadling Warns ‘Threat Grave’ Full representation from all IWA Local Unions in B.C. at the International Convention in Denver, Colorado, October 1-5, was urged by Inter- national President James E. Fadling, when he addressed the quarterly meeting of the B.C. District Council in Van- couver, July 14. : He predicted that the occasion would be of momentous import- ance to the welfare of the Inter- national Union as forthright action would be required in de- fence of the rights of lumber workers on both sides of the international boundary. Because of oyer-taxed hotel accommodation, he warned that Local Unions should make early reservations for delegates. Extend Organization President Fadling related his experiences in Eastern Canada, where he had recently attended an IWA Convention. He com- pared the situation in Eastern Canada to that existing in the deep south, and stressed the im- portance of organization of the lumber workers in both sections. “We can never weather an- other economic slump, success- fully, if we permit wages to re- main as low as they now are in these areas,” he declared. “Com- petition based on low wages would prove a distinct menace. We must adhere to IWA policy, under which the organized dis- tricts constantly aid the un- organized districts,” he added, He had found an awakened in- terest in trade unionism in French Canada, and a very defi- nite admiration of organization aeecomplishments in British Columbia, said the president. Washington Scene The International President described his experiences in Washington, where he had_re- cently appeared before the Wage Stabilization Board to plead official approval of the 1244 cent wage increase negotiated this il of wage hingto ar in the Pacific Northwest. le asserted that the IWA, as- sisted by the CIO, had made a See ‘FADLING’ Page 2 —— iy ) i ¢ g(t NI ZA ie i Givd 3DvLsod vayny> ver, RC. PLAN TO ASSESS WORKERS MEDICAL COSTS DENOUNCED Proposal that workers should be assessed one half of the cost of medical aid under the-Workmen’s Compensa- tion Act, made by the employers to the Sloan Commission, was vigorously denounced by delegates attending the Quarterly Meeting of the B.C. District Council, IWA, July 14. Resolution expressing’ outright opposition to any contribution by workers toward compensation costs followed the report of RyelltermtGanyeSemctarrict the| IWA District Safety Council, and representative of the IWA during the final sessions of the enquiry conducted by Chief Jus- tice Sloan. ° As a question had been direct- ed to Secretary Gray during the enquiry asking’ the position of the Union with regard. to workers’ contributions in the event that compensation pay- ments were substantially in- creased, he was instructed to state that the IWA was unalter- ably opposed to any such assess- ment. WILLIAM GRAY, Secretary of IWA District Safety Council now ing IWA before Sloan m at Victoria. It was pointed out that the workers already made a con| bution in the form of deductible non-compensable days. Delegates affirmed that only when the en- tire costs had been assumed by the employers, were effective accident prevention measures taken, At the outset of the scheme, workers contributed 73 percent See “MEDICAL” Page 2 COMPANY ACCUSED OF ‘PEONAGE? Attempt by logging com- panies subsidiary to Powell River Co. to secure from log- gers hiring out a signed under- taking to stay in camp and pay board if operations should be halted by fire hazards was abandoned this week upon pro-- test made by Financial Secre- tary Fred Fieber, Local 1-71, IWA. The certificate which loge were asked to sign by Black’s Loggers’ Agency on behalf of the | employers read as follows: “I am returning to camp fully realizing that a fire hazard exists, and that the camp may work part time or may be shut down temporarily due to dry weather conditions. “T will stay in camp and pay board during the closure and when the operation starts TI agree to work out my indebted- ness to the company for fare, board, commissary, etc.” “Whoever dreamed up_ this new type bondage, conveniently overlooked that this is a free country” was the comment of Local Union officers. “It will be a sorry day for the loggers, when influential companies gain the right to. dictate conditions of employment in this fashion. It smacks of peonage, not known since medieval times.” Ballot Closes August 31 In response to numerous re- quests from IWA members in the logging section of the lum- ber industry, who due to the fire shut-down have been un- able to vote, the closing date of the referendum ballot on the 1951 $2.00 assessment has been extended to August 31. District Officers have in- structed Local Unions that ballots must be mailed and postmarked not later than August 31 to be tabulated. Jail Term Protested Cireumstances under which a sentence of three months hard labor was imposed upon a coast logger by the stipen- diary magistrate at Alert Bay on a charge of fraud laid by the employer with respect to a commissary account are being investigated by Local 1-71, TWA, to determine whether an appeal may be taken to a higher court. The accused is now serving his sentence in Oakalla prison, and legal advice has been sought on his behalf by the Union, upon receipt of the transcript of evi- dence at the trial. The incident occurred at a small remote logging camp, where it has not been possible to establish IWA organization, otherwise, as it is pointed out, the matter would have . been quickly settled through a griev- ance committee. As reported to the Local Union, the logger in question had previously sustained a serious in- jury to-his elbow, which required hospitalization, and a period on compensation. Upon recovery he See ‘JAILED’ Page 11 established at the Coast. Emphatic rejection of .the majority report was also the unanimous decision of the 108 employees of Western Ply- woods in attendance at a meet- ing of lumber workers in Quesnel, addressed by Inter- national Representative Mike Sekora. One hundred and eight yotes were also cast in favor of the acceptance of the minority report submitted by District President and Board Member J. S. Alsbury recom- mending Coast wage rates and conditions. By secret. ballot, the same yote authorized an application for a government supervised strike vote. The plywood workers’ were assured the full support of the large number of lumber workers also present at the meeting, but who did not participate in the voting. Indications were given that the Quesnel public were in full sympathy with the demands of the plywood workers. a2 MIKE SEKORA, International Organizer, now playing an active part in fight of plywood workers at Quesnel. Centred At Quesnel Plan Key point in the IWA fight to secure Coast contract terms for Interior lumber workers is now the plant of Western Plywoods Ltd., Quesnel, it was agreed at the IWA B.C. District Council in quarterly session, July 14. Hearty approval was given the recommendation for rejec- tion of the majority report of a Conciliation Board which proposed to fix the Quesnel plywood wages and working conditions in accordance with the terms of the Northern Interior master agreement, and lower than those now Majority Report Terms of the majority report of the Conciliation Board were severely criticized before the District. Council by District 2nd Vice-President S. M. Hodgson, who had presented the Union’s case to the Board. He explained. that only-nine cents an hour wage inerease had been recom- mended as an interim payment pending the outcome of current negotiations with the Northern Interior operators. ‘See ‘QUESNEL’ Page 3 1000 TO ATTEND CCL CONVENTION Members of CCL trade unions in British Columbia predict that the 11th Annual Convention of the Canadian Congress of Labor, which as- sembles in Vancouver, Septem- ber 17, will provide the occasion for a still more em- phatie “protest against the evils of price inflation. Indig- nation at the scant considera- tion given organized labor's proposals at the recent session of Parliament is expected to reach a climax when the thousand or more delegates gather in the Hotel Vancouver. For the first time, Vancouver will be host to one of the largest and most important conventions held in Canada, and the local CCL Convention’ Committees are sparing no pains to make the event memorable. ‘The Van- couver Tourist Bureau is co- operating to provide delegates and their wives with a program of welcome which will. invite pleasant recollections of B.C. scenery and industrial develop. ment. THE THINGS YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN CANVAS RAINWEAR cape and sleeves all’ one piece, and seams only un- der-atm. Note also the more generous-use of ma- terials with. interlining away down at back, (Also made without interlining.) STANDARD PANTS See the extra depth of double thickness, front and back, and interlining down entire front. too. ” (Also of made without interlining.) YOU WILL FIND IN REGISTERED STANDARD COAT 66 ») Note the “tailored’’ de- i=) comtort“aad freedom; the HAT You will find that it is substantial and water re- pellent . . . a real hat +. « but soft, pliable, aod iight in weight. BUY ONLY GENUINE “PIONEER BRAND” “DRY - BAK” - y J CRUISER'S COAT Notice how it is moulded to fic with comfort and freedom. Double thick- ness over shoulders, chest, back and sleeves.” “Look at the four roomy out side pockets and pencil socket, and see the inside east ‘map pocket, then Took at the back and see the large pack _ pocket ‘with openings both sides. (This des fa, of coat comes in_ featherweight “Yukon Cloth'’, too.) FALLER'S SHIRT The fallers’ and buckers’ shirt Q 35 oti desl ne neer Brand” design, le to give full freedom with extra protection where am d, and with extra Jong skirt at back. (This also comes in feather- weigt’ “Yukon, Cloth’, t00.) so From Your Local Dealer or Commissary " IT IS MADE IN VANCOUVER, B.C., BY JONES TENT & AWNING LTD.