B.C. LUMBER WORKER

Geo. Mitchell Reports

The UNION’S BUSINE

: LRB Inconsistency

RECENT IWA experience with the strange and devious ways of
the Labor Relations Board has caused us to note the glaring
inconsistency between the tender consideration shown employers
as compared with the speedy and stern treatment meted out to
trade unions when eyen suspected of minor violations of the Act.

We can recall AS
‘without strain a
number of occa-
sions when trade
unions have been
de - certified, anc ‘
thereby deprive ©
of all protection _ <
under the law, San
even before all] ieee
the evidence was|
judicially consid-'
ered.

If it is the intention to admini-
ster the Jaw governing employer-
employee relations with even-
handed justice, we may well ask
_ why the same standard of justice
does not apply with equal force
to the employers,

The law requires that an em-
ployer shall bargain in good faith
to reach an agreement with the
bargaining agency selected by
the employees. The employer is
required to comply with the pro-
cedures outlined for collective
bargaining that negotiations may
culminate in a signed agreement.

Employer Violations

In the Interior, the IWA has
encountered a number of employ-
ers who have broken faith, and
rejected the agreement negotiat-
ed on their behalf and with their
consent by their bargaining rep-
resentatives.

One such case is the Grand
Forks Sawmills Ltd, a firm
which has persistently refused to
honor the agreement reached in
authorized bargaining.

Action Stalled

The situation was immediately
reported to the Labor Relations
Board. Finally, permission was

Weeks have elapsed, and the per-
mission has not been forthcom-
ing. Evidently the employer is to
be allowed latitude in these mat-
ters that has never been extended
to a Union acting in contempt of
the law.

Again we ask, why should a
tribunal, charged with the duty
of administering the law impar-
tially provide every such advan-
tage to recalcitrant employers.

This provides still further sup-
porting proof for the allegation
that the Board accepts a concep-
tion of its duty as requiring the
invention of handicaps for the
Unions and loopholes for anti-
labor employers.

When the worm turns, it may
be because he got instructions
from the back seat.

The Ouly

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ASK FOR IT BY NAME
AT YOUR COMMISSARY
OR LEADING STORES

The treatment by which canvas is made
water repellent to produce ‘‘DRY-BAK’’
is a development and exclusive process of
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processed in our own plant. You should,
therefore, look for the name ‘‘DRY-BAK’’.
on every garment as your guarantee of
obtaining the finest water repellent can-
vas clothing obtainable. Ask for it with
or without interlining.

FIRM CENSORS CCL NOTICE

Alleged evasion of the intent of the Hours of Work Act at the
plant of Alaska Pine Co. Ltd. prompted a recent investigation by
the officers of Local 1-357, IWA, New Westminster. Three IWA
members suspected of collusion with company officials.to secure
overtime work were warned by the Executive Board.

One of the three so warned,
because of extra Sunday work,
cleaning the burner, was found
to be re-engaged at the same
work in the employ of the haul-
ing contractor.

Investigation by officials of the
Industrial Relations Board will
be sought, to determine whether

requested to launch prosecution. ! there has been any violation of

HAND-CRAFTED WITH FINEST SWISS LEATHER
“At MacGREGOR'S MEN'S WEAR, PORT ALBERNI"

OHNSON’S
LOGGERS

(UNION MADE)

COMFORT
and
QUALITY

A. W. Johnson Ltd.

63 West Cordova St.
Vancouver, B.C.

Publication date of the next issue of the B.C. LUMBER
WORKER is April 3. Deadline for ad copy is April 27 and

for news copy April 28,

President

2nd Vice-President
rd Vice-Pré
Soeretary-trea

EC LunsetWornen

Representing the Orgenized Loggers end Mill Werkers of B.C.
PUBLISHED TWICE.MONTHLY BY
INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS OF AMERICA (C1O-CCL)
B.C. DISTRICT COUNCIL No. 1.

DISTRICT OFFICERS:

ist Vice-President

Address all communications to

GEORGE H. MITCHELL, Secretary-Treasurer
45 Kingsway - Phone FAirmont
Vancouver, B.C.

Subscription Rates.........$1.50 per annum

=S

Stewart Alsbury
Joe Morris

H. Mitchell
ve William N, Gray

7-8

Council and the Executive Board
in respect of this phase of indus-
trial union organization.
Something unique in the way
of a grievance was encountered
by Financial Secretary Vandale
during a recent film showing at
a local plant. At the conclusion of
the program, one of his audience,

the°regulations. The Local Union
insists that all members shall
adhere to the Union’s policy of

quite seriously, presented him

with a claim in respect of a bro-

ken thermos, which he affirmed

had been broken by reason of the _
dim-out.

With due regard for the pro-
prieties, the comment of the
Secretary is withheld from pub-
lication.

strict observance of the 40-hour
week.

Installation March 30

Balloting for election of the
Local Union’s officers has now
been completed. Installation
will be held at the regular
membership meeting, Canadian
Legion Hall, March 30.

“Sandy” Naylor, the active
Chairman of the ‘Sub-Local_in
Timberland Ltd,, recently suffer-
ed a severe back injury on the
job, which has temporarily com-
pelled him to take a “vacation”
from many of his Union duties
under the sponsorship of the
Workmen’s Compensation Board.

Members of Local 1-357 paid

their final respects to a highly-|.
esteemed brother at the funeral
held on March 15 of the late
Eigel Larsen. The deceased col-
lapsed while engaged in conduct-
ing the IWA balloting at Royal
City Sawmills, and death follow-
ed later in hospital. Tribute to
his staunch work on behalf of
the IWA was paid by the Local
Union and District officers, who
recalled his zealous and energetic
efforts to re-organize the IWA in
his plant during the 1948 “revo-
lution”.

Bulletin Board Censorship

The right of censorship was
recently claimed by a local
firm under the terms of agree-
ment which prohibits posting
of political matter on the
Union’s bulletin board. The.
plant committee attempted to
post a notice of the recent
CCL meeting to consider labor

in British Columbia.

legislation. When the material
was submitted to management
they ruled that such a notice
related to political activity, and
was therefore banned.

New Certification

Employees of the Fraser Build-
ing Supply Co. Ltd., a local lum-
ber yard, have signed up 100%
with the IWA, Certification has
now been applied for, and nego-
tiations will shortly commence to
place the employees on the pre-
vailing wage scale,

{ Office Employees

Plans are under consideration
by the Local Union’s Executive
Board to stage a drive for the
organization of office employees
in IWA-certified firms. Authority
for this action is found in the re-
cent decision of the District

See for yourself—today.

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