September 20, 1951 hy 2c. LUMBER WORKE CCL STRENGTH NOW 360,000 Conroy Raps Government Inaction On Price Controls ‘ Membership of the Canadian Congress of Labor now exceeds 360,000, and is embraced within>six provincial federations, 37 Labor Councils, 18 International and 10 National Unions, with 167 chartered local unions, it was reported to the 1951 Convention by Secretary Pat Conroy. The Secretary’s report made on behalf of the Executve Council was tersely expressed but was packed with information regard- ing a wide range of activities un- dertaken during the convention year just ended. Major emphasis in the report was placed on the efforts of the Congress to secure price control, and the resulting degree of unity achieved with other labor bodies to this end. On this subject the report stated: Labor Cooperation “The Winnipeg Convention of the Congress had recommended the establishment of a joint Na- tional Consultative and Coopera- tive Council, which would provide an opportunity for all bona fide trade union groups in Canada to formulate common policy in the interests of the workers and the whole legitimate trade union movement, and the officers of the Congress had communicated with the officers of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada and the Dominion Joint Legislative Committee of the Railway Trans- portation Brotherhoods. No further progress had .been made at the time, but a basis of cooperation regarding price and rent-control had been established, and the Congress, and the Cana- dian and Catholic Confederation of Labor, together with the two other Labor bodies named above, were planning to issue a joint statement dealing with these matters. “Subsequently, on February 20, 1951, a joint presentation was made to the Prime Minister and the members of the Federal Cabi- net with regard to price and rent~ control, and on the same date action was taken to establish a consultative committee consisting of two representatives from each of the four organizations. In each ease, the President or Chairman, and the Seeretary-treasurer of each organization, was ap- Pointed.” Joint Memorandum The joint memorandum pointed out that “the free world now faces the most ruthless and pow- erful aggressor in history. The best it can hope for is long years of heavy defence expenditures, a large proportion of its manpower and resources diverted from a productive work to a great effort for sheer survival.” Knowing the extent of the danger, Labor was fully prepared to do its part in . 2 common effort to preserve a free society, but “effective de- fence against Communist aggyes- sion demands a great deal more than just strong armed forces. Economie strength is no less im- portant than military. Inflation can be as dangerous as Commun- ism itself, and is Communism’s most powerful ally.” Price-Control Urged After reviewing the extent to which inflation had already taken place, and what it meant to con-* sumers, particularly wage-earn- ers and pensioners, the memoran- dum strongly urged the estab- lishment of price-control, Various arguments against price-eontrol were reviewed and analyzed, and each objection was in turn shown to be unfounded, or inapplicable to present cireum- stances. It was pointed out that price- control was possible without wage-stabilization. In conclusion, it was pointed . out that Labor urged: (a) ade- quate rent-control; (b) freezing of prices; (c) a public board to pass on all applications for price and rent increases, and (d) La- bor representation on such a board. The memorandum con- cluded that price control was needed to preserve freedom and to “ensure the highest possible standard of living compatible therewith.” It was made evident that Con- gress had regarded its work to raise living standards for Cana- dian workers as an essential part of the world-wide struggle of free trade unions to establish conditions of peace. Communism It was pointed out further that the fight against the destructive forces of Communism and the en- deavor .to preserve and promote institutions based on the prin- ciples and ethics, of democracy demanded more than military ac- tion. It was not good enough to put armies in Korea—the people of Korea generally must be provided with the means of living a secure and decent life: This did not, however, lessen the necessity of doing whatever was possible to remedy conditions at home which were causing frustration and des- pair in the hearts of Canadian People. It was necessary to adopt a social and economic program at home which would give the peo- ple something worth defending with their lives. The establishment of a Na- tional Labor Relations Act had been urged upon Parliament to provide for the outlawing of all company unions, the check-off, Z and: effective legal procedure against employers engaging in unfair labor practices. ‘ Action had been taken to off- set the discriminatory policy en- forced upon Sections of the rail- way workers, following the na- tional railway strike. Amend- ments to the Unemployment In- surance Act had also been pro- posed, and improved old age pen- sions demanded. Co-ordinated Wage Policy Interesting feature of the re- port was the section dealing with Congress proposals for a co-ordi- nated wage policy to offset the failure of the Federal Govern- ment to institute price controls. The secretary reported: “The Council decided to call a meeting of the heads of the af- filiated unions to discuss a co- ® Uh Le Pat Conroy ordinated wage-policy. This meet- ing was held at Toronto on May 17. Secretary - treasurer Conroy was chairman of the meeting, and it was decided that a recommen- dation. should be made to the af- filiated and chartered unions of the Congress that they avail themselves of every legitimate means to seek substantial wage increases, wipe out low-wage areas and remove wage inequali- ties. “It was made clear that the Congress unions would prefer ef- fective price control, with a roll- back of prices to fair levels, as such an approach to the problem would be more equitable, not only | for wage-earners, but ‘also for pensioners and others who must |}! live on fixed incomes. “However, the Federal Govern- | ment had made it clear that there | was no basis for anticipating | such control in the near future, | and, in the circumstances, the | organized workers of Canada had | no alternative but to seek wage increases.” | JOB SAGER GE < «+ - requires GOOD EYESIGHT A Regular Visit to an Optometrist Is as.Important to Your Health and Well-being as a Regular Visit 20 your Physician and Dentist. 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