: 4 t c. LUMBER WORKER April 3, 1952 Fishermen’s Union IWA support for the extension of Workmen’s Compen- sation to all fishermen was expressed by District Secre- tary-Treasurer George Mitchell’ when he addressed the recent Annual Convention of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers in Vancouver. He stressed the similarity of aims held by the two Unions. He said in part: “Although I cannot claim to have knowledge of the problem of the fishing industry, I do know the worth of the Union which for the workers in the ig industry. We respect and admire the manner in which your Union has organized the fisher- men and shore-workers on an in- dustry-wide basis. We congratu- late your members and officers on the achievements of the UFAWU. We sincerely hope for your con- tinued success in the endeavor to better the circumstances of those who harvest the wealth of the sea, Flotilla Praised “Your Union richly deserves congratulations upon the spirit shown in the organization of the “Compensation Flotilla” which recently and so impressively sail- ed into Victoria. I know that you pranenne an officialdom, that is seldom impressed by a labor dem- onstration. “By turning the spotlight of publicity on a neglected issue, your Union rendered a service to all the workers of the province, I only wish that you could have sailed out of Victoria with the catch you went after. Fishing in the muddied political waters at Victoria at present is far from satisfactory. In the IWA, we regard the pio- neer work done by the fishermen in building their cooperatives, as being of outstanding importance, I know this is outside the juris- diction of the Union, but it is, | nevertheless, a result of the co- operative spirit which prevails among fishermen. “Beyond a doubt, fishermen haye demonstrated that by the cooperative management of their own affairs, the workers can suc- cessfully challenge the powerful monopolies which seek to profit at our expense. We are watching this development with close in- terest, and to some extent fol- lowing your example by building credit unions as the basis for fur- ther cooperative endeavor. Common Aims “In the lumber industry, we earn our daily bread in somewhat different fashion than in the fish- ing industry, but these differences should not conceal the fact that we have common problems and common objectives. Both our unions are organized on an indus- try-wide basis. For this reason we are both confronted by power- ful monopoly interests opposed to the aims of organized labor. Both our Unions are deeply concerned with regard to our continued ac- cess to the natural wealth of the province. We are therefore de- termined upon the adoption of sound principles of conservation. “We find ourselves on common ground with respect to our imme- diate legislative aims. We have the same grievances against those in economic and political author- ity, who would shelve considera- tion of our needs in deference to big business interests. “In the IWA, we are interested in_safety in the woods and the mills. In the UFAWU, you are interested in safety at sea. We share the view that the lives of the workers are not expendable, and that public authority should safeguard lives in every way pos- sible. Around these issues we should strive for the maximum unity of action. When labor speaks with one voice on these matters we can hope to win the day for labor. Fisheries Treaty “As proof of our sincerity in this regard, I point to the fact that the Greater Vancouver and Lower Mainland Labor Council, of which I have-the honor to be President, has given unqualified support to the views of your Union in the matter of the Japan- ese Fisheries Treaty. - Community Interests “We share a common interest in the general welfare of the community. We all know that the interests of those represented by our respective unions are served as we advance the general levels of well-being and security. In this regard, we may agree on cer- tain broad objectives in this prov- ince. They are: * “(1) That the fullest possible use be made of the resources of production, both human and ma- terial, to ensure a stable economy and rising standards of living. “(2) that in the use of these resources the provision of goods and services to meet the needs of all our people in food, clothing, housing, education, and medical care, should be the prime con- sideration. “(8) that we protect the indi- vidual as far as possible against the risks of interruption or reduc- tion of his earning power. “If we are not diverted from these objectives by issues of less- er consequences, the united fish- ermen, and the lumber workers as united in the IWA, can to- gether pioneer a new day for the workers of British Columbia.” A BATTLE TO WIN By J. STEWART ALSBURY IWA District President Ovr Union has again launched its annual. offensive for better contract terms. The issues have now been clearly stated by the Negotiating Committee, to the members of which the bargain- ing strategy has. been entrusted. At this stage we should take inventory of some important assets held by the IWA. One such asset is the democracy of the IWA. This was clearly evi- dent at the re- cent Wages and Contract Confer- ence, as well as at the preceding District _Conven- tion. The de- mands, which have been stated, originated no- where else than with the work- ers on the job. Their views pre- dominated at the conference, and wrote the policy for the Union. Democracy at Work By reason of the democratic procedure followed, the demands are based on the actual needs ex- perienced by the rank and file. It was the rank and file members who instructed the delegates to the District Convention. They had the further opportunity of discussing the broad outlines of contract demands in the interval before the wages and Contract Conference. Their representatives then had plainly stated instruc- tions regarding the will of the majority of the membership. This procedure deprives the employers of any opportunity to claim that the demands were ar- tificially whipped-up by the Union’s officials. Critics within the Union must now admit that | the will of the majority prevailed without hindrance. Power Drive If we fully appreciate this democratic action, we readily see that it places behind our contract demands a power drive that will be hard to beat. The enthusiasm with which the demands have been stated in the first place should now be directed to winning the demands. : Those who insistently and ac- tively worked to commit the Union to an aggressive program in this respect, may now be ex- pected to be equally energetic in organizing the full strength of the Union for the pending con- tract battle. : Winning Factors Contract terms are not won by ambitious language or rousing phrases at union meetings. They are won by solid organization on the demands the unmistakable determination of all the workers on the job. It is only through job organization that this spirit is roused to the pitch that will con- vince the employers of our will to win our objectives. The conclusions reached in the conference room must now be- come the most common topic of | conversation on the job. It must be so directed as to unify our energies. It must be closely re- lated to. the central effort, and , Should therefore be well-informed through close contact with the Local Unions. The battle goes to those who get there ‘‘fustest with the ; mostest”. 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