_ judgment on the past conduct of held and obey the law, and I do _ do suggest, however, that it is B.C.. LUMBER WORKER the strikers should first be began. His statement in the matter was as follows: ‘I hope that you will agree with that the views expressed in your editorial of the 23rd inst. should be more fully discussed in the columns of The News-Herald. In my view, a fair and objective public discussion of all points of ‘ view in the light of all the facts is a more desirable contribution to a settlement of the dispute, than debate. I it that those of us who haye public responsibility should direct our efforts to the accomp- lishment of harmony between la- bor and management in the lum- ber industry. A formula for settlement must be reached, soon- er or later, and the sooner the r. Mediation First - Rerenge that The News- ae desires an early agree- ent and resumption of produc- tion. From niy knowledge of the circumstances, I suggest, there- fore, that your influence should be thrown behind an all-out ef- | &' fort to achieve conciliation. At- tempts to fix blame for the pres- ent situation are futile and only add fuel to the flame of dispute. Facing the facts as they pre- sent themselves, the requirements of the situation are mainly: Effective means for mediation. A genuine effort to strike. a fair balance between the con- flicting claims. y An agreement which will en- able work to be resumed with the feeling on both sides that its terms are just. nd Tam convinced that it was with these purposes in mind that Chief Justice Sloan undertook, as a pri- vate citizen, the trying task of mediator. It was a public-spirited act warmly appreciated by the lumber workers, and for which I believe he deserves public com- mendation, : Role of Mediator In nothing that the Chief Jus- tice has said or done has he com- vomised his position as a lead- ing member of the judiciary. He has not been required to pass either of the parties to the dis- pute, He simply made his exten- sive experience available in the public interest to bring the dis- puting parties together in order to explore avenues for settle- ment. His acceptance of this role should not be confused with his duties on the Bench, where in the ordinary process of law, he may be relied upon to deal with viola- tions of the law in a judicial manner, ‘I regret that your publication should have accepted. the employ- ers’ point of view to the effect that cp aeeeilabey for mediation should ieee in pate penalize 32,000 woodworkers for an alleged violation of the law. It is clear to me that any such course would sow the seeds of continuing industrial strife, for it would be regarded in the cireum- stances as an act of revenge. such attempt would bring the Taw into contempt among men and women who have consistently endeavored to obey the law. Law Obeyed It is my responsibility to up- not suggest that a yup of Gndividuals is above the law, I penalized before mediation termined upon the strict obsery- ance of the law, and scrupulously followed the procedures laid down in the ICA Act for the various stages of bargaining and con- ciliation. No possible blame at- taches to the Union for the de- lays which arose. These delays held back the opportunity for final decisions on any proposed settlement until the final week of the sixty-day period prescribed by the law for contract negotia- tions. All the facts in evidence make it abundantly clear that if the Labor Relations Board and the employers had obeyed the law in letter and spirit as closely as did the IWA, no question could now be raised as to the legality of strike action. It should be noted that the Union made application on two oceasions for a government- superyised strike vote, and was ‘iven reason to believe that this would be held on June 13, Based on this assurance the Union’s preparations for any eventuality were necessarily carried out in the widely scattered camps and mills: of the Coast area in ad- vance, Six months earlier, the IWA membership ‘had decided in open eonvention that if no satisfactory contract could be negotiated by the termination date of the exist- ing contract, June 15, work would cease. Following its established cus- tom, the Union held 2 member- ship secret ballot during the final week to determine whether strike action was authorized if a satis- factory settlement could not be reached prior to June 15. When this vote was taken, the member- ship was well.aware that the ma- jority recommendations of the Conciliation Board would result in an‘immediate wage-cut of four cents an hour, and a’possible cut of 14 cents an hour. They also knew that all the non-monetary proposals for con- tract improvements had likewise been ignored. The overwhelming majority given for strike action, was a complete rejection by the membership of any reduction in wages, and a clear-cut instruction to proceed with strike plans, fail- ing a last-minute settlement. IWA Victimized It must be said to the credit of the IWA that every effort was made to avert strike action by sealing down the Union’s de- mands and its wilingness to break the deadlock apparent on June 18-14. The employers would make no concessions. _ Their bargaining representa- tives walked out of the final con- ference on the pretext that they could not negotiate under any pending threat of strike. No strike orders had then been is- sued, and the views of the Union with regard to the termination date of the contract were exactly as had been known to them throughout negotiations, Union Bargained Any fair-minded person requir- ed to examine the evidence in a judicial capacity would find the following conclusions inescapable. The Union placed complete re- liance upon the legal procedures to aceomplish collective bargain- ing and a settlement of the dis- pore in the interests of its mem- ers, The Union was not responsible for the confusion and delays EDDIE DEFENDS IWA Defence of the IWA was made by Rae Eddie, M.L.A., New Westminster, when during the mediation proceedings an editorial appeared in The News-Herald suggesting that which resulted in a breakdown of the conciliation machinery. The Union is not responsible} for the failure to conduct the re- quested government - supervised vote, within the prescribed 60-day period prior to the expiry date of the existing contract. The Union acted in good faith toward the employers, the Labor Relations Board and its member- ship, and should not now be penalized for events over which it had no control. The only sensible solution of the existing problem is to sup- port all means of effective media- tion which may offer hope of a mutually satisfactory settlement of the dispute. RAE EDDIE, MLA-elect, New Westminster. ICFTU ONITY SPREADS The International Confedera- tion of Free Trade Unions is engaged in a world-wide strug- gle against Communism in the ranks of labor in which educa- tion, organization and the rais- ing of living standards are the most important weapons, Don- ald MacDonald,- Secretary- treasurer of the Canadian Con- gress of Labor told a press conference here on his return from the recent I. .U. Council meeting in Ber! The International union body had passed resolutions condemn- ing. totalitarianism in Spain and colonialism in Tunisia as well as expressing support for collective security in the North Atlantic Pact and in Korea, said Mac- Donald. Delegates from 93 affil- jates in 69 countries heard re- ports on LGE.T.U. activity throughout the world, and ap- peals from Asian and African union leaders who stressed that there was no time to waste if legitimate trade union organiza- tion was to win out over Com- munism and emotional national- ism in their homelands, he re- ported, Cooperation Growing MacDonald stressed that there was every prospect of closer co- operation between the ICFTU and the Christian international of predominantly Roman Catholic trade unions. So-called trade union organizations in totalitar- ian countries on both sides of the iron curtain, however, were “com- pany unions on a state basis”, he declared, and the ICFTU would oppose them at every turn, The only Canadian delegate to the Berlin Council meeting, Mac- Donald noted, however, that the Trades and Labor Congress was represented only because Claude Jodoin, named as delegate by the senior union centre, had been un- able to attend at the last minute. TOP-DOG” ON THE.COAST “DIAL 1320 FOR the West's top singers in person—Evan Kemp— 12:15-8:00 p.m.; Ron Beckett— 4:30-5:30 p.m.—allon CKNW!" Please convey to officers and mem- bers of your district the assurance that the Canadian Congress of Labor wholeheartedly supports the strike of your Union and is prepared to render every possible assistance to the end that a successful settlement may be achieved. The solidarity of those engaged in the struggle is an inspiration to our people and merits the unlimited respect and admiration of all unionists. A circular appeal to all affiliated and chartered orga- nizations is being prepared and will be issued soon, A. R. MOSHER, President DONALD MACDONALD, ~ . Sec,-Treasurer. Executive and members of this Local have followed with great in- terest developments in strike of IWA members. We wish to extend a welcoming hand of solidarity and wish you every success in your ter- rific struggle for wages and working conditions, Please assure your mens- bers that this Congress Union backs your position. We went through successful strike in 1950 and dis- covered that no incidious machina- tions of employers will ever defeat unity, Stick by your guns. Victory will be yours. With warmest fra- ternal greetings, JOSEPH SAWCHYN, Secretary, Electrical Utilities Employees’ Union, Local 9, CCL, Regina. The entire membership of the Textile Workers’ Union of America stands solidly behind you and sup- ports your strike one hundred per- cent and your fight for fair labor relations in British Columbia. J. HAROLD DAOUST, Canadian Director. CCL Unionists Gn Saskatchewan and Alberta regard Forest Industrial Relations Limited refusal to meet your Union representatives for the purpose of resuming negotiations as being consistent with the employers’ program to undermine legitimate trade unionism, We wish to convey faith in your ability to deal effec- tively with employers and full sup- port for your present strike action, R. E. HAILE, Regional Director for Alberta, and Acting Regional Director for Saskatchewan, CCL. CANADIAN UNIONS SUPPORTED STRIKE Typical of the many messages of support received by the District Office of the IWA during the recent strike, are those recorded below. From far and wide, the trade unions in Canada indicated that they were following developments with full appre- ciation of the issues involved. All the following were addressed * to District President, J. Stewart Alsbury. The United Mine Workers of America, Regent 75, warmly congra- tulate British Columbia Woodwork- ers on determination to resist united front device resorted to by their employers. Apparently this tactic of the united front, when employed by Communists, is something to be de- plored but when used by employers it becomes an instrument for praise Our organization pledges you full support in your gallant fight to de- feat this negation of good faith in collective bargaining. SILBY BARRETT, Regent 75, District 50, UMWA. The United Rubber, Cork, Linol- eum & Plastics Workers of America wholeheartedly support you in your efforts to gain a satisfactory settle- ment for the International Wood- workers of America. 1500 Rubber Workers have been on strike since June Ist in an effort to gain a sa- tisfactory settlement on their con- tract negotiations. N. ALLISON, District No. 6 Director, URCL & PWA. This will serve to advise you that we, the members of Local No. 8 of the Electrical Utilties-of Weyburn, Sask., are in complete sympathy with the views and actions of our fellow-workers of the International Woodworkers of America, B. G, Dis- trict Council No. 1. Yours truly, ELECTRICAL UTILITIES EMPLOYEES’ UNION, Weyburn. Saskatchewan Federation of Labor and Affiliates express their solidarity with you in-your fight. We realize that yours has been a long hard struggle but are sure it is one you will win. Our Unions extend. their pledge of moral and financial sup- port, W. G. DAVIES, Executive Secretary, Sask. Federation of Labor, CCL. We the members of Local 418, NPWA, pledge our full support in your fight for a just contract, We deplore action of the Employers’ As- sociation in refusing to resume negotiations. Yours fraternally, CAMPONI, Ree. Secretary, Saskatoon. Victoria Street USINESS GUIDE COMMODORE CAFE Kamloops’ Leading Restaurant Since 1927 Kamloops, B.C. Phone 213 CHEMAINUS BUSINESS GUIDE S. A. BRICKER, Jeweller EXPERT WATCH, JEWELRY & CLOCK REPAIRS. WATCHES AND DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RINGS CHEMAINUS, B.C. VOGUE CLEANERS Truck Calls at Mesachie Lake, Cowichan Lake, Crofton & south to Shawnigan. Hats Cleaned and Blocked Press While U Wait Phone 360 DUNCAN, B. C. DUNCAN BUSINESS GUIDE J. LINDSAY LOUTET (C, Bradshaw & Co.) INSURANCE and REAL ESTATE DUNCAN, 131 Jubilee Street LAKE COWICHAN BRANCH: Old Post Office Building KIRKHAM’S DUNCAN GROCERY LTD. Your Red and White Store 2 STORES to SERVE YOU $1) Station Stevet t) Island Hwy. & Nash Rd. NH 180 Duncan, B. C. depene 08 am, G.M.C. 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