When the selection of the Canadian Congress of Labor CCL union in B.C. was more anxious that it be located at the Pacific Coast than the B.C. national Woodworkers of America. Closer contact between the organized lumber workers sidered to be most desirable. The Convention, when assembled, was welcomed and formally opened by an IWA District Officer, George Mitchell, in his capacity of president of the Greater Vancouver and Lower Mainland Labor Council. IWA officers and members, by virtue of their responsibilities in the B.C. Federation of Labor and the Labor Council shared fully in the convention preparations. The IWA Local unions in the province for the first time claimed full representation at the convention. This combination of circumstances makes it appropriate that the special conyention issue of the B.C. LUMBER WORKER should present in capsule form, some of the inter- esting facts about B. C.’s largest union. 1951 convention city for the was under consideration, no District Council of the Inter- and the Congress was con- District One, IWA “ 12 LOCALS - 30,000 For purposes of organization, MEN the IWA has divided the prov- B.C. LUMBER AES B.C.’s LARGEST UNION SAYS “HELLO” IWA District Executive IWA DISTRICT EXECUTIVE BOARD members in attendance at the CCL Convention. (Left, standing) Lloyd Whalen, 1-217; Jacob Holst, 1-363; Rae Eddie, 1-357; Roy Whittle, 1-118; Inter- national Board Member Tom MacKenzie; W. Franklin, 1-367; Frank Howard, 1-71. (Left, seated), A. G. Ingram, 1-85; Secretary-treasurer George Mitchell, 1st Vice-president Joe Morris, President J. Stewart Alsbury, 2nd Vice-president Stuart M. Hodgson, 3rd Vice-President Fred Fieber, Gilbert Schofield, 1-80. has been formed which, in co- operation with the Union, spon- | sors annual Christmas parties and picnics, as the chief features ince of British Columbia, known to the Union as District 1, into twelve jurisdjetions, each under a Local Union. The numbers as- signed to Local Unions in the IWA are always prefaced by the figure “1, followed by a dash, to indicate the District in which the Local is situated. The story of the development of organization in B.C. is based on the combined stories of these Local Unions, each with distinctly different characteristics and problems due to diversities in the industry. Three of the largest Local Unions are here selected of the recreational program. to illustrate the character of the I Local 1-217, Vancouver . The largest Local Union in the District, and in the International Union is Local 1-217, Vancouver. Since its repudiation of the Com- munist inspired secession move in 1948, the membership has in- creased from 4600 to well over 6000. This Local Union bargains for employees in 23 certified bargain- ing units, some of which are large mills employing as many as 1000 persons. | Operations within the jurisdic- tion of the Local Union’ include large sawmills, shingle mills, ply- wood plants and furniture’ fac- tories. One logging operation in the mountains overlooking Van- couver is also included, Main project of the Local is organization, with the expecta- tion of realizing the full poten- tial of membership in the Greater Vancouver area in the near fu- | ture. Educational work is fostered and a successful series of classes in trade union administration problems was held early this year, WA. Local 1-357, New Westminster Lumber manufacturing is the dominant industry in the City of New Westminster, and as might be expected, the IWA Local Un- ion, 1-357; is the dominant trade union organization. The membership now approxi- mates 5400, extending into 34 certified operations. The full po- tential has been almost realized. This Local Union challenged and ousted Communist leadership prior to the “1948 revolution”. It provided leadership for rallying the anti-Communist forces within the IWA, and was least affected by the upheaval which followed the attempted secession. The IWA in New Westminster has clear title to property at 533 Clarkson St. and the premises which house the Union’s offices |and meeting hall. Plans are al- ready under way for the erection of a large office building and auditorium. Special attention has been given to educational work. Film LOCAL Local 1-80 ecg Duncan, V.I. The character of IWA organi- | 1_g9 zation in Local 1-80, Duncan, is | somewhat unique, as it includes widely scattered and large log- ging operations on Vancouver | 15 Island, and at the same time| some of the largest sawmills in the province. Consequently, the organization of the Local Union | 1.118 is based on Sub-Locals formed | around the major Iumbering op- erations in the mid-section of the Island. Since 1948, this Local Union has steadily increased its mem- bership to the present total of approximately 5000. Plans are now under considera- tion for the erection of an IWA } building at Duncan, and possibly | suitable quarters for the larger | Sub-Locals. The social and educational ac- tivities mainly centre around the Sub-Locals, and at each point Women’s Auxiliaries have been formed. Once a month the entire membership assembles at the central point, Duncan, for trans- action of business. ‘A large measure of credit goes to this Local Union for pioneer- ing in the field of accident pre- vention under the able leadership of the Vice-president, John T. Atkinson, Chairman of the IWA | 1.493 International Safety Council. | 1-357 1-363 1-367 1-405 1-417 IWA DIRECTORY B.C. District Council No. 1 MAILING ADDRESS Fred Fieber Financial Secretary, 18 West Hastings St., VANCOUVER, B.C. Edwin Linder, Financial Secretary, Box 430, DUNCAN, B.C. R. D. White, Financial Secretary, 109 - 2nd Ave. South, PORT ALBERNI, B. C. R. J. Whittle, Financial Secretary, 715 Johnson St., VICTORIA, |B. C. S, M. Hodgson, Financial Secretary, Ste. 6, 45 Kingsway, VANCOUVER, B.C. Lawrence E, Vandale 533 Clarkson St., NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. Jacob Holst Financial Secretary, Box 790, COURTENAY, B.C. Neil E. Shaw Financial Secretary, General Delivery, HANEY, B.C. Mr. P. Berkosha, Financial Secretary, Box 712, CRANBROOK, B.C. A. W. Anderson, Financial Secretary, Box 217, KAMLOOPS, B.C. J. W. Strong, Financial Secretary, Box 663, International Woodworkers of America PHONE NO. PAcific 3623 Duncan 388 Port Alberi 2166 Garden 3012 FAirmont 9530 N.W. 3137 Courtenay 135 Haney 219 Cranbrook 728 Kamloops 25 Kelowna 861 Recreational needs of the mem- | Programs are shown by the Union bership are given attention by | Officials in the local plants. Last regular social gatherings, i {Season these series of programs which the members of the Wom-|#Veraged 30 a month, and was en’s Auxiliary play an important | teported by the National Film part. The Local boasts a softball Board to be one of the most ac- ive industrial circuits in Canada. An active Women’s Auxiliary team which, during the past sea-| ti son, made'a bold bid for the | championship of the Major Men’s | Supporters of a phony economy | 1 494 program in the U.S. House of Representatives have almost kill- ed the low-rent housing program. Instead of starting on 15,000 KELOWNA, C. H. Webb, B.C. Prince George 327-R2 Financial Secretary, Box 819, PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. units in 1952, the House cut the} number to 5,000. | Softball League. The members of the Women’s Auxiliary have undertaken an im- portant work on behalf of the entire distriet in making regular visits to the Vancouver hospitals, and reporting through the B.C. Lumber Worker on the progress of woodworker patients. They also distribute cigarettes and comforts, and undertake missions on behalf of the patients. The Time for Saving is Always “NOW” JAKE FRIESEN Branch Offi 475 Howo Streot Courtesy and Service Agent Vancouver, B.C, GLOVES ware, etc. Warren K, Cook, 12 Years Service to 1.W.A. Members © A COMPLETE JEWELRY LINE Including the World's Finest Watches, Diamonds, Silver- © THE LEADING LINE OF CUSTOM-TAILORED CLOTHING Aristocrat of Hand-Tailored Suits. GOLDBLOOM and SON Vancouver, B.C. /AINT NO UNIVERSITY ~ STUDENT BUT / KNOW GOOD GLOVES--/ BUY WATSON /