Lowi Oma Pbtinticn ot tbe Intorssational Woodworkers of Amertea vb. vis Coescl Net Vol. XXI, No. 6 E> * MARCH 19, 1953 - VANCOUVER, B.C, “G3 5c PER COPY ‘CCL PRESENTS PROGRAM With nearly one billion dollars in the Unemployment Insurance Fund, benefits to the jobless should be increased without any increase in rates, Canadian Congress of Labor spokesmen told the government when presenting the CCL annual legislative brief, stated IWA representatives H. -Landon Ladd, Toronto, and S. M. Hodgson, Vancouver, at the conclusion of the sessions. Although Prime Minister St. Laurent maintained that the Fund should be kept at the pres- sent high level against the pos- sibility of future unemployment, the Congress’ brief stated that government officials have admit- ted the Act was being over- funded. With present levels of employment “there is room for | substantial improvement in the} Act without further contribu- tions,” the brief stated. The CCL turned down the sug- gestion of a reduction in contri- butions. This, it said, would only benefit employers. “A cent or two daily off his contribution won’t mean a thing to the insured worker, A dollar or two on his benefit will mean a lot to the un- employed worker.” The CCL called on the govern- ment to introduce a sickness dis- ability scheme to protect workers against loss of income during sickness and suggested that it might be financed, in part, at Teast, out of the present unem- ployment insurance fund. Legislative Program Among the other requests con- tained in the 12-pagé brief were: 1. The introduction of a Na- tional Health Plan. The brief pointed out that although the government was committed to health insurance, it seemed to be “on a this year, next year, sometime, never basis.” The “very least” that could be done would be to appoint a parlia- ' mentary committee to consider the question. 2. Greater aid to underde- | yeloped regions. | 3, Labor consultation on inter- national affairs. 4, Government stimulation of subsidized low-rental housing. 5. A National Labor Code. 6. To all deduction of all medical expenses for income tax purposes instead of only those above 3% of net income as at present. | ‘The Congress ealled for a sur-| | vey of the textile industry to pro- | vide “adequate protection to the industry against dumping and other unfair competition”. Con- cern was expressed over the in- ‘ereasing unemployment in indus- try generally, since the beginning of the year, “especially at this time of unprecedented pros- perity”. The GCL said that this bolstered its claim for an increase am unemployment insurance bene- its. SHINGLE MEN MEET Conference of representa- “tives from the shingle mil]s _ will convene in Nanaimo, on March °21, in the Foresters’ Hall, in compliance with in- structions of the recent IWA District Convention. District Officers and mem- bers of the District Policy Committee will be in attend- ance when the general prob- lems of workers in the B.C. shingle mills will be under discussion prior to the year’s contract negotiations. IWA Members Demand Action At Victoria Legislative interests of or- ganized labor have been well served during the present ses- sion of the Legislature by the three IWA members in the House, it was reported this week by trade union observers, watching the Parliamentary gallery. Rae Eddie, M.L.A. Rae Eddie, M.L.A. (New West- minster), Local 1-357, demon- strated his thorough grasp of compensation problems, when he attacked the Government for its failure to open up the Work- men’s Compensation Act for amendment this session, He scored heavily with his plea for those now receiving compen- - sation based on earnings prior to 1946, and which now yields them a mere pittance under present- day living standards. ‘The New Westminster M.L.A. also advocated action to amend the B,C, Hospital Insurance Act as recommended by the BCHIS Enquiry Board, WHAT'S INSIDE Tony Gargrave, M.L.A. Tony Gargrave, M.L.A. (Mac- Kenzie), Local 1-217, supported the plea for action on Work- men’s Compensation, and pre- sented the case for the payment of compensation to fishermen. The youthful member from MacKenzie has specialized in for- estry problems, and has advanced many concrete suggestions for amendments to the forestry regu- lations, Jack Squire, M.L.A. Jack Squire, M.L.A. (Alberni), Local 1-85, has placed a resolu- tion on the order paper. calling for social assistance allowances to discharged tubercular patients in order to enable their complete recovery. In a recent speech, Jack Squire startled the House when he dis- played colored maps, revealing the full extent of the H. R. Mac- Millan holdings in the Alberni area, as he stated the vexatious problems of the small logger. In his description of conditions See “VICTORIA” Page 3 PREPARES FOR for 1953-54. Bargaining with the operators is expected to commence on or about April 15th, and in the nor- mal course of events should be completed prior to the anniver- sary date of the contract, June 15. Policy Preparations Chief function of the Policy Committee at this stage, as de- fined by the recent District Con- vention, is the sifting through of all contract demands received through the District Convention, with the object of recommending priorities for bargaining. Added to this function will be that of weighing the evidence in support of the favored bargaining points. Final responsibility for the general strategy of bargaining and selection of featured bargain- jing demands will rest with the Wages and Contract Conference, ‘on which all Local Unions seat their quotas of delegates. Numerous Demands | Almost 40 contract demands were voiced during the proceed- ings of the recent District Con- vention, although the prevailing sentiment favored a more concise bargaining program. Wages Foremost Major problem of the Confer- ference, when assembled, will be to determine the amount of the wage increase to be demanded. | The proposition will be consider- ed of incorporating the present cost of living bonus in the base rate. Nice judgment will be required on the part of the delegates to judge the ability of the Union to challenge the attitude already taken by the operators whose propaganda has cried poverty and lost markets. Loggers’ Demands Loggers’ represented at the Conference will have in mind the | pressing demands in the camps, for travel time, fare allowance, and pay: with board when men are held in camp for the fire sea- | son. Many loggers have advo- cated adoption of the union hir- ing hall. Both mill workers and loggers are interested in pay for all sta-| tutory holidays as now granted to monthly-rated workers, as well POLICY COMMITTEE MEETS; CONFERENCE Assembling of the IWA District Policy Committee on Tuesday to lay the ground-work for the Wages and Con- tract Conference, March 28-29, rang up the curtain on the Union’s preparations for negotiations expected to gain substantial revisions in the IWA Coast master contrac as improved hours of work, and overtime. Union Shop The demand for union shop conditions is again renewed this year, and is an item in the con- tract which the employers could grant without making a dent in their bank accounts. A health and welfare plan will be to the fore, especially in view _ of its adoption in the lumber in- dustry in the U.S, Even greater interest has been displayed in the proposal for a guaranteed annual term of employment. Shingle mill workers have a grievance regarding the non-pay- ment of stand-by time, and many categories of skilled labor in the industry will press their special needs. Complex Problems Many “fringe” benefits are fostered by problems which have arisen on the job, and have prov- ed a constant source of irritation. IWA negotiators, freely admit that bargaining on an industry- wide basis, while presenting many vital advantages, has its headaches. The only definite pre- diction, which they are prepared to make, is that the Wages and Contract Conference will be an oceasion of intense and exacting Vacations Amendment to the Annual Vacations with Pay Act which, if adopted, will provide all workers with two weeks’ vaca- tion after one year’s employ- ment, introduced in the Legis- lature by Jim Bury, M.LA., Secretary of the Vancouver La- bor Council, was endorsed ‘by that body at the last meeting, March 10. This provision, which is now appearing in collective agree- ments with greater frequency by See “VACATION” Page 3 | LABOR SP: John Squire, M.L.A. OKESMEN E LISTEN TO \ | | | Tony Gargrave, M.L.A. | IN LEGISLATURE eT a le Beas a Jim Bury, MLA. 6.15 p.m |