March 5, 1953

B.C. LUMBER WORKER

FORWARD MARCH!

By J. STEWART ALSBURY
IWA District President
WHATEVER may be said about some of the more hectic debates:
during the recent District Convention, it will be agreed by all

who attended, that the spirit of the gathering was one of determi-
nation to advance the welfare of the Union.

It would be idle
to deny that dif-
ferences of opin-
ion were on occa-
sion debated
forcefully and
even with heat,
but almost invar-
jably, the under-
lying cause was
the delegates’
deep concern for the future of
the IWA.

It should be said for the dele-
gates that they were aware of
the pressure from the rank and
file membership insisting that the
performance of the IWA should
fulfill their expectations, in terms
of better living standards.

Democracy in Action

With this fundamental purpose
in mind, the delegates conducted
themselves with credit to their
Local Unions. Once more, it can-
not be gainsaid, that the mem-
bers were in full control of their
own affairs.

The vast amount of construc-
tive work done at the convention
furnishes a complete answer for
those critics who scoff at free-
dom of debate.

It would be appropriate to re-
peat here a portion of my re-
marks at the opening of the con-

yention in which I endeavored to
outline our major problems,

Gains Made

“During the past few years, the
IWA in B.C. has unquestionably
made considerable gains. Ours is
now the largest and most power-
ful union in B.C. We have in-
creased wages and improved
working conditions. We are proud
of our efforts on behalf of trade
unionism and the working people
of Canada,

Of course, we have not achiey-
ed all that we would like to have.
What group in Canada or else-
where has? Indeed, no matter
how great our gains, we shall
continue to strive for something
better for, otherwise, there would
be no progress. There can be no
standing still—we go forward or
we lose ground,

In 1949, we were mainly con-
cerned with re-organization after
the shambles left by the internal
struggle to oust the Communists.
After a long and bitter battle,
we laid the groundwork for the
bigger and better organization—
the new IWA of today. Those
present who went through that
struggle know what a debt of
gratitude is owed to that band of
fighters who bore the brunt of

the battle.

1952 Negotiations

Conditions for the 1952 wage
negotiations were none too favor-
able. Some employers were cla-
moring loudly for wage cuts.
There is no doubt that the settle-
ment was not all that was hoped
for. Undoubtedly there were mis-
takes made. But, looking back,
it is easy to see what should have
been done.

Hindsight is, as we all know,

much easier to acquire than fore- be

sight. We must keep in mind,
when reviewing the past year,
that the final decision was made
by the general membership
through the ballot box. And
rightly so for that is how the
ultimate decision should be made
—by the rank and file.

In formulating policy for the
future, past experience should be
a valuable guide, Looking back
to 1952, it is evident-that our
contract demands were somewhat
unrealistic. First of all there
were too many demands, too
many details, too many side
issues.

In view of the employers’ “hold
the line policy”, which appears
to be even more widespread this
year, we spread our energies over
too. wide a field. I strongly |
recommend that our 1953 de-|
mands be confined to two or three |
major items.

Again, in setting deadlines
such as June 15 for the “No con-
tract, no work” policy, more
careful thought should be given.
After the deadline was set and
published, there was nothing that |
your negotiators could do about
it. A little more flexibility in re-
spect to the deadline date would

have been a help in 1952.”

S

tion Banquet. ,(L. to R.) John Sq

TWO IWA POLITICIANS, who Ware guests of honor at the [WA Conyen-

, M.L.A., Tony Gargraye, M.L.A.

Officers

Elected

NEW WESTMINSTER.—Results of the membership vote for
election of officers in Local 1-357, IWA, were tabulated and
reported to the membership meeting, February 22. Elected were:

President—Andy Smith.

Ist Vice-President—Joe Madden.

2nd Vice-President—Ted Day

3rd Vice-President—Bob Carlyle.

Financial, Secretary—Lawrence E. Vandale.
Recording Secretary—Rae Eddie.
Conductor—Pete Fomich.

Warden—Bert Hill.

Trustee (3-Year)—Jim Vallance.

Doug Ferg was elected as the
Local Union representative on the
District Policy Committee.

Seniority troubles have arisen
again at Timber Preservers Ltd.
On a former occasion, lay-offs
had been ordered without regard
to the seniority provisions, and
on processing the grievance, mat-
ters were adjusted. Z

More recently, men have been

iority, on flimsy pretexts,
whole question is now subject to

investigation by the Local Union
Officers. .

Intimidation Suspected

The certification of the [WA at
Monterey Furniture Co. has been
challenged recently in a round-
about way. Unofficial advice has
been received by the Local Union
that an application has been made
for de-certification. The fact that
this has oceurred before bargain-
ing could commence has aroused
grave suspicions as to the good
faith of the management.

USELESS 7, No&

QQ 45
Seven years ago a provincial commission sized up oN oy
forests for lumber potential. In areas east of the Cascade
mountains they found vast tracts of over-mature spruce and
hemlock—the poorest commercial forest areas in the province.
Useless for lumber, these trees were taking up valuable space
on which healthy new growth might be started. Reporting on
them the commission stated that less than 10% of these trees
could be converted into sawn lumber .
be made to encourage early removal . .
did not receive full royalties for the timber.
That was the picture in 1945. Today, some of these low grade
forests are leased to Columbia Cellulose. The once useless,
oyer-mature timber now furnishes high alpha wood pulp
which we refine into pure white cellulose . . . basic
prodiict of the great chemical fibre industry.
And, as the dying forests are cleared, healthy young trees
will start growing in their place. :
COMPANY LIMITED e@ PRINCE RUPERT, B.C.
A Subsidiary of Canadian Chemical & Cellulose Company, Ltd.

3{ NEW TREES FOR OLD!

Our conservation program keeps B.C. forests green . . . protects B.C.’s
greatest asset . . . ensures the prosperity of future generations.

every effort should
even if the government

WW

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