B.C. LUMBER WORKER September 7, 1951 The UNION’S BUSINESS Employers’ Tool "TRADE unions in British Columbia have reached the stage where they must now ask whether the Labor Relations Board is functioning solely in the interests of the employers, or, as an impartial government agency, .as originally pretended. Recent decisions of the Board would seem to favor the- first alternative JOE MORRIS ON CHUB “Free” Trade Union With UN For Peace _ Free trade unions haye actively*mobilized public opinion be- hind the cause of world peace and collective security, and have actively cooperated with UN agencies to raise standards of free- dom and security across the world, said District First Vice-Presi- dent Joe Morris in a broadcast on Station CHUB, Nanaimo, Sept. answer, The IWA, like . o~ other unions, has had experience with the peroga- tives exercised by the Board in oi de - certification. Whenever the “ > Board even sus- : ects that any rwa members are showing any a Jack of respect for the authority of the Board’s regulations, the Union is punished with merciless severity. Whatever the extenuat- ing circumstances, and however ‘at the provocation of the em- loyer, the Board proceeds to -certify. The stupidity of the procedure is apparent. If the conduct of any Union members is in question, the preferable course would be to settle the matter within the ordi- nary procedures provided than to place any group of trade union- ists in a position where they feel they must act outside the law. Employers Escape The bias of the Board becomes apparent when we examine their treatment of employers. The IWA has had experience with employers who openly and flag- rantly defy the law. They inyari- ably eseape with little more than _| a mild reproof. Only trade union- ists are deserving of the punish- | ment provided in the law, appar- ently, Within the last few months the IWA directed the attention of the Board to the unfair labor prac- tices of a firm in the vicinity of Kamloops, The employer had posted a signed notice in which he broke the law on at least three counts. All that was done, was to politely inform him of the exist- ence of the ICA Act. The employ- er could smash an IWA certifica- tion for all the Board cared. But if the Union pulled a work stop- page to make its point, de-certi- fication would have followed with lightning speed. Blind Justice Ignorance of the law is no de- fence. It’s a defence good enough for some employers in the eyes of the Board. But there is never any excuses acceptable for work- ers in some remote community, who have had less opportunity than the employer to know the law. The Board is supposed to act as referee when disputes arise. They'll have no cause for com- plaint if the workers pile into the referee when he gives unfair de- cisions. : Te Synbol of Ale That is Best é CUSTOM TAILORING aud EXCLUSIVE MEN’S WEAR 2, under the auspices of Vancouver Island UN groups. The speaker took as his theme the declaration made by the CIO at the last Annual Convention, which stated in part: “The United Nations has proven worthy of the support we have' given it since its con- ception ... The United Nations is growing into the cohesive community organization which the free world requires. We welcome this process. It is a. process by which the interna- tional organization can and must acquire powers fo enact and enforce world law and maintain peace in the world.” Active Cooperation Instances of active cooperation between the International Con- federation of Free Trade Unions and UN agencies were cited in the broadcast, Reference was made to the participation by the ICFTU at this year’s session of the Economic and Social Council of UN jn Santiago, Chili. On that occasion trade unions had advo- cated more sweeping measures to promote economic development in under-developed countries. Also, the better world distribution of scarce commodities was urged to ease world tensions. World-wide Reform The CIO and the CCL had ac- tively participated in the work of ILO, which has sponsored world- wide reforms of immeasurable benefit to workers in the 59 coun- tries associated with the orga- nization. It was affirmed that only through UN agencies can work of this nature be done ef- fectively on a world-wide scale. The speaker continued: “The trade unions have re- sponded to the appeal of the UN agencies and have undertaken their proper share of the pro- gram of economic and social pro- gress mapped out by the UN. ‘The trade unions accept this re- sponsibility because it is believed that if the UN Charter is to be a living reality and a force for DELIVERY IN 3 DAYS IF NECESSARY YOUR CREDIT IS GOOD 416 COLUMBIA ST. NEW WESTMINSTER Publication date of the next Issue of the B.C. LUMBER WORKER is September 20. Deadline for ad copy is September 13 and for news copy September 14. : BC LuncediWorner Representing the Orgenized Loggers ond Mill Workers of B.C. PUBLISHED TWICE MONTHLY BY INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS OF AMERICA (CIO-CCL) B.C, DISTRICT COUNCIL No. 1. ESP DISTRICT OFFICERS: J. Stewart Alsbury veeeeeesSO@ Morris. iuart M. Hodgson weovneF'ed Fleber cnneorge H, Mitchell “uu'Tom G, MacKenzie ‘Address all communications to GEORGE H. MITCHELL, Secretary-Treasurer 46 Kingsway - Phone FAirmont 8807-8 ‘Vancouver, B,C. Bubscription Rates...-.$1.50 per annum ising Representativo.....@. A. Spencer - ed ms Second Class Mail, Post Office Dept. Ottawa “COPIBS PRINTED IN THIS ISSUE Sun writers VANCOUVER SUN Phone MArine 1161: for Daily Home Delivery peace in the world affairs, it must serve the needs and wel- fare of the common people every- where in the world. Keeper of the Peace “, .. the free trade unions look to the United Nations as the keeper of the peace, and also as an important step forward on the road to world democracy in which the international rule of Jaw will guarantee national free- doms and the rights of man. “We also look to the United Nations to undertake . another function of even greater import- ance in the building of peace. More than half of the world’s population lives in extreme pov- erty. So long as there exists large impoverished populations, convinced that they can be free from poverty, so long can these s Work millions be swayed by would-be imperialists.” “We must prove to the peoples of the world that in a democratic society men can have both bread and freedom, We must answer : the propaganda of the Commun-; ists not merely by pious slagans about democracy’s virtues, but by a bold program of social and economic action. = Plan for Peace “While building adequate military strength under the UN, to restrain aggression, the free nations of the world must Jaunch an affirmative, aggres- sive, and positive program to win peace—a total war against | poverty and injustice... . It is within the power of the nations - of the world to develop a defi- nite plan whereby a minimum standard of food, clothing, shel- ter, health, and education would be established every- where in the foreseeable fu- ture.” “This could be our most po- tent weapon to banish war, and the fear of war, from our experience.” SPECIAL WEEKLY RATES 1221 GRANVILLE STREET VANCOUVER, B.C. Under New Management BANKING BY MAIL The safe way to save your money is to put it in a bank. You can do this best through any of the branches of the Canadian Bank of Commerce in British Columbia. Get some Banking by Mail forms before you leave town, or write for a sup- ply to your nearest branch of the Commerce. BANKING BY MAIL is convenient, easy to do. See for yourself—today. OF COMMERCE 80 Branches in British Columbia