Health Plan Next BC. TRAY NK SW 2 y ‘Omit Pebticnion ott International Woodworkers of America vt Diswic Covsdt Neb Vol. XX, No, 5 = Feb. 11, 1952 5c per copy Vanceuver, B. C. Federation and Council Officials Board members E. Orr, George Smythe, H. Coombs, Mike Mihalech, Tony Gargraye. President Dan Radford was absent through illness. ELECTED at the annual elections of the Greater Van January 29, were George Mitchell, President; Dick ‘Treasurer; and Executive Members E. Orr, ° couver and Lower Mainland Labor Council, « Henham, Vice-president; Jim Bury, Secretary- H, Allison, Bud Hodgkins, W. Pierce. Union’s expansion. Strong support was given the demand for a health and wel- fare plan and travel time for loggers in addition to renewal of former demands for improv- ed_ wages, statutory holidays, union security, seniority, vaca- tions, and a guaranteed daily |-rate for piece workers. Final consolidation of these demands and strategy of nego- tiations will be determined at a Wages and Contract confer- ence to be held March 22-23. Analysis of the possibilities of a guaranteed annual wage was submitted to the convention by District 1st Vice-president Joe Morris, and after thorough dis- cussion was referred for the fur- ther consideration of the Wages and Contract Conference. Attendance recorded at the convention was the largest on record, and as shown by the re- port of the Credentials Commit- tee (Jack Squires, Chairman), reflected a substantial growth in membership of all Local Unions. Opening ceremonies were brief but impressive. The civic weleome was extended by the Acting Mayor, Alderman Halford Wil- son, who extolled the part played NEW FEATURES ASKED FOR 1952-1953 CONTRACT In a strenuous four-day session, 150 delegates attend- ing the 15th Annual District Convention of the IWA in the Hotel Vancouver, January 29- February 1, debated their problems with a marked intensity of interest, and ad- journed with an outline of substantial contract demands for 1952-53, together with a well-planned program for the Another Three Cents Cost-of-living index reported by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics for Jan. 1 was 191.5, representing an increase in the index since July 1, 1951, of 3.9 points, The wage rate increase thus automatically effective under the IWA master contract is 3 cents an hour; retroactive to January 1, 1952, Se by the lumber workers in the de- velopment of the province’s na- tural resources. Invocation was pronounced by Rev. Father L. A. Hobson, St, Anthony’s Parish, West Vancou- ver. Father Hobson made an elo- quent plea for the preservation of the spirit of fraternity, as an antidote to the twin evils of monopolistic greed and Com- munism, In his keynote. address, District President Alsbury warned against a renewal of attempted See HEALTH, Page 2 Satisfy Us” The Acting President of the Federation declared: “Developments of the past few months reveal that we now face the most crucial fight in the his- tory of the Federation. Three Commissions will report at the approaching session of the Legis- lature on three provincial sta- tutes of vital importance to the workers. We want action on these re~ ports in conformity with the con- clusive evidence with which we Convention Strengthens District Finances Recommendation of the IWA District Officers set forth ro) Se convention. in their report to the Annual District Convention, January 29-February 1, proposing an increase of the portion of the per capita tax allocated to the adminstrative requirements of the B.C. District Council, was approved by the Officers Report Committee, the Trustees, and subsequently by the When approved by referendum of the membership in respect of the necessary amendment of the District by-laws, the per capita structure will be changed by al- locating 28 cents instead of 18 cents from the dues dollar to the | eokedely fund of the District yuncil, It was explained that this will involve merely a re-allocation of reventle as ween the Local Unions and the District Council and does not necessarily require an inerease of individual mem- bership dues, pee cacommendations proved a ass’ ance to the Yocal Unions in the See FINANCES, Page 2 CONTRACT DEMANDS OUTLINED FOR MARCH Numerous resolutions re- ceived and considered by the IWA District Convention on the subject of contract de- mands were summarized at the conclusion in the follow- ing statement, which was ap- proved: “We, the resolutions Com- mittee, have given careful consideration to all the reso- lutions dealing with demands for this year’s negotiations. In order to expedite matters, we haye compiled a summary of the most desirable and necessary requirements for our membership, not neces- sarily placed in order to their importance, as follows: Statutory holidays. Union Shop Wage increase across the board Travel time. As to these important points of negotiations there are others that the member- ship feel are equally neces- sary and should. be given serious consideration. A revised seniority clause; an improved vacation clause; guaranteed annual wage; guaranteed daily rate for piece workers; hours of work and exemption to it; Section 3, Article XIV. All resolutions that do not fall completely under these headings have been referred to the Wages and Contract Conference for consideration by that body. We would like to point out that it is the perogative of the delegates of this Convention to discuss ‘all the demands submitted in this summary for the pur- pose of giving 4 directive to the Wage and Contract Con- ference. Submitted by: RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE, RAE EDDIE, Chairman, TONY POJE, Sec'tary.” |Vague Promises Won’t -- Alsbury Warning was served on political parties in British Columbia that the trade unions expect action on labor legislation the next session of the Legislature by IWA District President J. S. Alsbury in opening the Eighth Annual Convention of the B.C. Federation of Labor. As Vice-president of the Federation, he acted on behalf of President Dan Radford, unavoidably absent through illness. supplied all three commissions. We want action in the form of statutory amendments before an election. I suggest that: we would be fools if we do not serve notice on the Legislature that we demand suitable amendments to the ICA Act, the Workmen’s Compensa- tion Act, and the B.C. Hospital Insurance ‘Act before an election is called. Action Wanted The needs of the workers, in respect of these Acts is so des- perately pressing, that any politi- cal’ party failing in its responsi- bility to the workers, will do ‘so at its political peril. Our attitude must be one of the uncompromising firmness. We have waited too long for these necessary reforms. Our political leaders now have the opportunity to show by their actions whether they mean to keep faith with the workers. . We will not be brushed off again with vague promises un- til after an election, We will judge them by their actions this month in Victoria, and not by any of their glittering promises for the distant fu- ture.” Convention News Public date of this issue of The B.C. Lumber, Worker has been delayed by a few days to permit presentation of vital information regarding the re- cent IWA District Convention. Further information, omitted from this issue for reasons of space, will be published in the next regular edition, Fi