“APPEARING below this editorial is an ar-
tist’s conception of the progress made by
the IWA in gaining improved wages and work-

_ ing conditions since 1946.

When visualized in this manner, as an up-

ward climb, achieved through toil and struggle, ~

yet steadily gaining ground through the years,

the achievements of the IWA are impressive.
It is only when seen in this perspective that

the accomplishments of the Union can be fully

appreciated. Each year brought its disap--

pointments. Nevertheless, each year brought
some gain which, when added to previous
gains, resulted in-a total of great importance
to those affected.

It is vastly more important to add up these
gains as a confidence-inspiring prelude to fur-
ther struggle, than to seize upon the frustra-
tions of one year’s experience as a pretext for
defeatism.

When the long-range point of view is taken,
what excuse is presented for despair or defeat-
ism? The performance of the Union, since the
year of de-control, 1946, is one that commands
pride. Can any critic point to any other single
union, placed under similar handicaps, that has
done more for a greater number of workers,
in the same period?

The progress should not be measured en-
tirely by the statistics derived from succeeding
agreements. Real progress should be measured
in the increased happiness resulting in the lives
of the workers concerned because of their
vastly improved standards of living.

Another important aspect of this progress
has been the increased strength of organiza-
tion, as more and more of the unorganized have
been included in the Union’s ranks. The IWA
has gained an important measure of maturity
in the conduct of its affairs, and in its contri-
bution to community welfare has earned the
esteem of the public.

Nothing is easier than to sit back and say
that the present base wage rate in the industry
should be higher, or to complain that certain
category rates are out of line.

* There may be truth in any such assertion,
and no officer of the Union would dare to dis-
pute its accuracy. The main reason why the

IWA is pressing forward in 1958, is that.

present wages and working conditions are quite
unsatisfactory. The Union will not quit its
fight until living standards among lumber
workers are adequate, and represent their fair
share of the fruits of their toil.

The fact that the IWA has not yet attained
its immediate objectives, is, however, no reason
for lack of confidence in the Union’s ability to
forge ahead. The proof of the Union’s vitality
is found in the survey made of past achieve-
ments.

The present base rate of $1.35 is not
adequate. It is, nevertheless, a vast improye-
ment over the base rate of 67% cents an
hour, which prevailed prior to 1946. The
difference between 67% cents and $1.35 an
hour is a difference made solely by reason of
the Union’s fight.

Who would want to return to the old 48-
hour ‘or 44-hour week without overtime pay, as
required before the Union swung into action?
The establishment of the 40-hour work week
in the lumber industry, stands as a great
monument to the struggles of the IWA. It not
only benefited lumber workers, but was a most
significant factor in its more general adoption
in B.C. industry.

It’s well to listen to the echoes of the em-
ployers’ representatives who only six or seven
years ago, screamed to high heaven that the
40-hour week would ruin the industry. It was
then regarded as a purely Utopian idea, quite
impossible of realization. Now we think that
anyone who works more than forty hours in
the week is mentally deficient.

Since our memories are so short, we
should remind ourselves frequently of many
other benefits secured under contract nego-
tiations, which seemed like airy-fairy prom-
ises a few short years ago. Now we have the
night-shift differential. Now we have a form
of union security. Now we have a few paid
statutory holidays.

When lumber workers originally talked
about vacations with pay, they were classed as
crack-pots. Now we.think it quite proper that
every worker should enjoy paid vacation each

year of employment, and the Union intends

to realize this benefit fully. ‘ eaten
Not long ago, lumber workers w: a
sidered expendable as regards life and limb. .

Now, thanks to the enlightened 0
the Union, safety standards are accepted in
industry as an essential of efficient operation.

Any tendency to accept present-day benefits
as GamignEleee and to receive them with sea
placéney is to be deplored. Every step upward
was taken by dint of a grim struggle.

The most useful exercise possible for a
“doubting Thomas” is to give him paper any
pencil to figure out how many of these pe
would now be enjoyed, had it not been for the
IWA.

If he is honest with himself and the facts,

he will end the exercise with profound thank-
fulness for the Union, and a determination to
strengthen the Union with his aid, rather than
weaken it with his criticism. *
Tf these facts about the past achievemen’
of the Union were more generally appreciated

among the workers, how many men would dare —
to remain “free riders”. They, too, have bene- _

fitted in innumerable ways, and only ignorance
or the most callous ingratitude keeps them out-
side the Union which has proved their greatest
benefactor.

In speaking of the labor movement : in
Great Britain, a famous leader once said: ‘A
great movement is like a tide. It will flow
Jater in one place than another. It may come
in steadily and silently on a low sandy shore,
but run violently against the rocks elsewhere.
It may be checked by an adverse wind. It
may be deflected by cross-currents but it is
the same tide. It will continue to flow re-

_lentlessly against the shores which have been
affected by the forces of the past.”

When comparisons are made as between
this year or another year, the rise of IWA
fortunes may seem to be retarded. When con-

sidered over the entire period, itis then unos 7

as a mighty force moving onward with al
resistless strength, steadily conquering
tempts to perpetuate injustices..

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