B.C. LUMBER WORKER

CONSTRUCTIVE decisions made by the IWA Annual
_ District Convention should not be obscured in the

minds of the membership by the publicity given a few

heated debates.

All decisions of vital consequence to the Union were
made as an outcome of the debates, and the debates,
whether heated or otherwise, were a useful prelude to
those decisions.

When people feel intensely about their affairs they
tend to speak intensely. The discussions revealed that
the delegates felt intensely about the welfare of the

- Union, and they took the opportunity to express them-
selves freely and forcefully, as they should.

Healthy debate is always a sign of a healthy democ-
racy. The IWA again proved that it is in every sense of
the word a genuine trade union democracy.

The delegates took full command of the proceedings,
and by majority decisions gave complete expression to
the will of the membership as represented at the con-
vention. js ‘i

This independent democratic spirit, when contrasted
with the days prior to 1948, is to be commended as an
indication of the Union’s growth and vitality. There
would be a good reason for worry about decay in the
IWA, if the delegates had politely rubber-stamped every-
thing that was stated from the platform as under LPP-
Communist domination.

When ‘everyone thinks alike, no one thinks at all.
IWA delegates have now attained the status where they
can and do make their own decisions with regard to their
own affairs. Naturally, they could not all be expected
to think alike, so by debate and vote, the greatest good
to the greatest number was worked out under democratic
procedures. - :

If we speak of. the spirit of the convention, we must
therefore speak of it as the sturdy democratic spirit of
an organization that is insistently democratic. It is the
lusty spirit of an organization that has vitality, because
it has learned to prize and exercise its democratic rights.

The spirit of the convention was one of unity of
purpose. There were, on occasion, differences of opinion
about how the IWA should do its job. There were no
serious differences of opinion regarding the job to be
done — the raising of living standards for the lumber
workers.

22

1-424, M. Sekora.

ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE _

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER CARL WINN conferred with the Organization
Committee, shown above, as the members prepared recommendations, later adopted, which will en-
able the IWA to keep pace with an expanding industry. Members of the Committee were: Local
1-71, O. R. Olson; Local 1-80, J. F. Colwell; Local 1-85, G. Ingram (Chairman); Local 1-118, G. Wil-
liams (Secretary); Local 1-217, G. Friess; Local 1-357, T. Day; Local 1-363, E. Lidberg; Local 1-367,
N. Shaw; Local 1-405, A. C. Damstrom; Local 1-417,

March 5, 1953

D. E. Matthews; Local 1-423, D. Lawson; Local

Geo: Mitchell Reports

policy-making,

he UNION’S BUSINESS
MARKED PROGRESS

AN outstanding feature of the recent District Convention was

the calibre of representation from the Local Unions. Any
impartial observer would be bound to admit that the assembly
was comprised of men and women who had a thorough grasp
of trade union principles, a clear vision of the Union’s possi-
bilities, and the ability to make their views count in debate, and

a

This indicates -—
that the IWA is
rapidly . develop-

|

‘responsibility and its exercise,

Criticism is levelled where criti-

factory guarantee that the
Union’s future rests in safe
hands, those of an enlightened
membership. :

FROM PAGE 1

‘Al JOB
mote freer world trade.

That every effort be made to
secure a national health ser-
vices plan.

That continued efforts be
made to secure lower taxation
for workers from the Federal

and Provincial Governments.
That old age pensions should

t
i

ing talent in the ;¥
Local Unions
which shows
great promise in

\cism is thought necessary. No
|ready-made opinions are foisted
jupon the delegates, They have
| demonstrated that democracy éan

be increased and expanded in
their application.
That steps be taken to fight

~ The Contract

major consideration of the IWA Annual District Con-

vention were the terms of the 1953-54 master con-
tract. The procedure adopted in dealing with the ques-
tion gave evidence of the wisdom gained by experience.

In the first place, all contract proposals originating
with the membership were fully discussed, in committee,
and later on the floor of the convention. Where such
proposals were consistent with progress they were ap-
proved in principle and referred for the further con-
sideration of the Policy Committee, and later the Wages
and Contract Conference.

The advantages of this procedure are obvious. All
points of view and all proposals will thereby be given full
analysis on the merits of each one.

When all these proposals are placed before a Policy
Committee fully representative of the Local Unions, they
can then be sorted out as to determine an agreed-upon
order of priority.

This procedure will enable the formulation of an over-
all revision of the existing contract, and an estimate of
costs that may be involved.

The recommendations of the Policy Committee, when
subsequently placed before the Wages and. Contract
Conference will serve to clarify discussion, and focus
attention on the main issues.

The Conference will also have for its consideration
available evidence in support of the vital arguments
involved. The result will be considered and concrete pro-
posals for the operators, which will stand the test of
bargaining. :

The procedure authorized by the Convention has the
further advantage that the Union’s representatives can
develop their bargaining strategy without disclosing in-
formation in advance to the employers.

The program this year will have greater flexibility
than last year, when a strike deadline was fixed months
prior to the crisis. Decisions as to the timing of any
such action, will this year be determined in the light of
the facts as known when action is required. Any such
decision will also represent the will of the membership
as then expressed. . - ;

It is a commonsense procedure because the Union is
enabled to work out its most serious problems within the
Union, and without the pressure of opinion roused by
the employers.

It is a business-like and efficient procedure, because
it brings to bear on bargaining strategy the best think-
ing of the Union, with emphasis on those matters which

most require emphasis.
yates 4 me

directing the
Union’s policies,
It has resulted in
a growing matur-
ity in the general outlook on
trade union problems,

When one noted the manner in
which delegate after delegate
handled themselves and their sub-
jects when addressing the con-
vention, it became obvious that
the training in the Local Unions
had borne fruit.

Favorable Comparison

The debates in an IWA conven-
tion strike a higher standard
than in many other conventions
where the delegates claim su-
perior educational advantages.
Unlike many other assemblies,
an IWA gathering has an appre-
ciation of orderly conduct of the
proceedings.

This progress is all the more
remarkable, because it has taken
place since 1948. At that time,
due to the attempted LPP-Com-
munist secession, the Union was
compelled to reconstruct its lead-
ership.

Reconstructed Since 1948
+ The course then taken by the
Union was to re-build the demo-
cratic way. Prior to the October
1948 “revolution” the delegates
usually sat and politely applaud-
ed the discourses of their officers,
as they were expected to do. To
question their views was a pro-
cedure which led to outer dark-
ness,

Now the rank and file member-
ship, in control of their own af-
fairs, have gained a new sense of

ANS

be made to work in their own
interests,

While this may lead to debates
which to outsiders sound heated,
it is a healthy sign, and an indi-
cation of growth.

Education Counts

It is evident now that the trade
union education sponsored by the
Union at the District and Local
Union levels is adding strength
to the Union,

As more of the members are
trained in trade union functions
and objectives, more of them ac-
cept responsibility and acquit
themselves to the credit of the
Union, Without this knowledge,
there might be danger in the
force of numbers.

The recent District Convention
proved that the IWA is doing a
solid job in building its own lead-
ership for its own purposes, on

the job as well as within the
Union.

This provides the most satis-

the use of court junctions
against legitimate strike ac-
tivity. i

That legislation be sought
penalizing unfair employment
practices and all forms of
racial discrimination.

FROM PAGE 1

‘Elections’

with the democratic traditions
of the Union.

Care must be taken that each
member signs the registration
list provided through the Local
Unions.

All necessary instructions for
voting will be issued by the Local
Unions and should be followed
carefully to avoid spoiled ballots,

The returnable date fixed is

April 24, and mailed ballots

must be postmarked no later

than this date,

income tax deduction.

On DIAMONDS, JEWELRY, SILVERWARE, FURS AND
ALL VALUABLES

No Red Tape?
Unredeemed Diamonds for Sale

Immediate Cash?

B. C. COLLATERAL LOAN BROKERS LTD.

77 EAST HASTINGS, Cor. COLUMBIA

A

TO THE PUBLIC...

Our attention has been called to the illegal operati
of the Dental Mechanics using a DENTAL LABORATORY ons
office and making Dental Plates for the public in Vancouver.

We are now prepared to meet this a:
the best of material for the same type of work,

Haye your Dental Plates made by a registered Dentist,
cost you no more, and will secure a receipt for money paid for

DR. R. LLEWELLYN DOUGLAS

: Phone: TAtlow 5552
9 East Hastings Street, Comer Carrall (Over United Cigar Store)

unfair competition,

using
It will

PAcific 3557-8