\ or a B.C. LUMBER WORKER these operators have social and economic responsibilities which transcend obligation to them- selves and to their stockholders. But they’ refused to accept such responsibility, The unrivalled freedom of eco- nomic decision-making of these employers can be justified, not if it is good merely for themselves but only if it is good for our entire provincial society. ~ We can support freedom and private control of enterprise only if it is conducive to the general welfare by advancing progress, Promoting a high standard of living, and contributing to eco- nomic justice. We judge its suc- cess or failure in terms of the public interest. f When the powers exercised and the choices made by employers do not contribute to the general welfare, employers have either to revise their behavior or be subjected to controls. It is be- ¢ause many employers’ individual actions led to abuses, damaged other: individuals, and detracted from. the attainment of estab- lished and valued social and eco? nomic objectives, that labor unions haye stepped into curb ill- used freedom on employer deci- sions affecting their workers. If those who exercise freedom are unwilling or unable — even with the best of rationalizations —to relate their private decisions and actions to the attainment of valued social and economic ob- jectives, that freedom is in jeopardy. Such is the position we find the Interior Iumber operators in to- day. The burden of proof rests with them as to whether or not “SHOWDOWN” they are ready to accept their responsibility to their workers and the province, or merely con- tinue to be “economic bleeders” of our natural resources and our people. * This brief will set forth our reasons for the demands made this year upon the employers. We believe that they are realistic de- mands. Our presentation will show how unjustly. the workers in this industry are being treated in the Interior of British Co- lumbia. While we have little hope that the employers will give any weight to our arguments, we, nonetheless will make any reas- onable effort to give them the opportunity to face the issues squarely and agree to a reason- able settlement without recourse to economic strength on the part} of the Union. Failing in this we are ready to back our demands in a manner that will cause the employers to regret the short-sightedness of their labor policy. This is not a threat. It is rather an effort to impress the employers and this Board with the dead seriousness and determination of this union to gain a long overdue wage increase and other benefits for the lumber workers in this area.” Board which heard the dispute in the Northern Interior was composed of Messrs. Edward Lowery, Chairman; Frank How- ard, IWA nominee; and J. Sut- ton, employers’ nominee. Southern Interior dispute was heard by a Board with Messrs. Percy Gomery as Chairman; Wil- liam Gray, IWA nominee; and J. C. Munro, employers’ nominee. FROM PAGE 1 “VOTE” strength of the IWA, although check-off forms had been pre- sented on behalf of 69 employees, virtually 100% of the crew. Prosecution Requested The situation grew so intoler- able, that the openly defiant at- titude of the employer toward the legal requirements was brought to the attention of the Labor Relations Board upon’ ap- plication for permission to prose- cute on charges of unfair labor practices, Meanwhile, the IWA officials pressed their bargaining to the point of conciliation proceedings and secured a majority award proposing the acceptance of the existing Southern Interior master contract terms, and renewal in accordance with the terms of the 1953-54 contract now under nego- tiation. The employer insisted that if he accepted the prevailing stand- ards, these should continue in ef- fect for a year from the date of signing, ignoring the master con- tract anniversary date, AFL Raid While conciliation proceedings were pending, a representative of the AFL Lumber and Sawmill Workers appeared on the scene. He was comfortably established in the employer’s office and granted extraordinary opportuni- ties, and the open support of the employer, to exert pressure on employees to join the AFL orga- nization. Quite obviously, the operator encouraged the AFL raid as a means to divide the employees’ bargaining strength, and thus gain the unrestricted right to continue the vicious labor prac- tices for which his plant was already notorious, Trade unionists throughout the Okanagan Valley were aghast at the discreditable tactics of the AFL representative who lent himself to the employer’s attempt to deprive his employees of the prevailing wage standards, in the Interior lumber industry, He forced the issue on a representa- tion vote during critical concilia- tion proceedings. Bracken Wins Top Post Recent tabulation of the re- sults of the referendum yote held for election of next year’s officers in Local 1-424, Prince George, resulted in the election of Perey Bracken as President, Other officers elected were: Ist Vice-Pres., Gordon Hun- ter; 2nd Vice-Pres., A. Mac- Donald; Recording Secretary, C. Roset; Financial Secretary, Howard Webb; Conductor, MAKE CLAIM FIRST IF SICK The new UIC regulation which deals with benefits while you are sick is the cause of many en- quiries, Most of these folk think they can get benefits when they become ill. THIS IS NOT SO. You must first establish your claim in the normal way and put in your waiting days and non- compensable day, Having done this, you can reecive benefits if you become ill at any time after your claim is okayed. “ Reuther Coming IWA officials in charge of arrangements for the Inter- national Convention, Hotel Vancouver, October 12-16, were spurred in their efforts this week by the announce- ment that CIO President Walter Reuther had accepted an invitation ‘to attend. The Vancouver host Local Union, 1-217, is busily en- gaged in plans for entertain- ment features which are ex- pected to top in sociability and novelty anything ex- perienced by delegates at former conventions. CONGRESS ACCEPTS TLC-PAC OTTAWA (CPA)—With few dissenting votes, the 68th an- nual convention of the ‘Trades and Labor Congress departed from its traditional policy of ignoring political action and endorsed a resolution to set up a Labor League for Political Education. Like CCL-PAC A resolution calling for a po- litical education league was one of three on the convention agenda dealing with political action. One other resolution, submitted by a Toronto Operating Engineers lo- cal, calling for endorsation of the CCF party by the TLC, was shelved by the resolutions com- mittee. Demands were made by several delegates that the TLC take ac- tion similar to that of the Cana- dian Congress of Labor and give outright endorsation to the CCF as the poltical arm of labor. None of the delegates who spoke to the resolution opposed the resolution, but several of them pointed out that its scope was too limited. resolution was directed to the timidity of the move towards, but not into, political action, dele- gates welcomed it as a first step. One delegate said that he realiz- ed no other resolution would be passed, but he hoped that the setting up of the political educa- tion league would be “only a first step”. It is expected that the TLC political education league will be modelled on the lines of a similar organization set up by the Ameri- can Federation of Labor in the United States. Prior to the Presi- dential election in that country last November, the AFL had maintained strict political neu- trality, however, it abandoned this policy and along with the Congress of Industrial Organiza- tions, endorsed Democratic can- didate Adlai Stevenson, Don’t tell the world what’s wrong with your Union, go to the union meeting and tell them — they would like to know, too. Local 1-357 ROYAL CITY LOCAL MEETS SNEAK RAID NEW WESTMINSTER. — As Local 1-357, IWA, was rallying the employees of Vancouver Shingle Co. Ltd. to vote for strike action that the terms of the Coast agree- ment might be established in the one remaining dissident plant, a snedk raid was engineered by the AFL Operating Engineers to separate the power house employees from IWA bargaining jurisdiction. ‘The issue was forced on a rep- resentation vote the same day that the IWA was occupied with a government-supervised strike ballot. This opportunity was seiz- ed by AFL agents to frighten the engineers into repudiation of the IWA. The - circumstances have en- raged the [TWA members in the plant, as they regard the tactics ‘of the rival union as indicating a complete and callous disregard of all sound trade union principles. They have not hesitated to des- cribe it as a “stab in the back”, and are giving consideration to appropriate job action to protect the IWA bargaining strength. The strike vote in the plant was décisively won by the IWA, and almost immediately the man- agement indicated that the Coast wage settlement would be ac- cepted, and made retroactive to June 15th. Assessment Considered Voting will be completed at an early date on the recommendation of the membership meeting for a $1.00 annual assessment in aid of special strike emergencies. Recent membership meeting endorsed the plans of the Greater Vancouver and Lower Mainland Labor Council for a Labor Day parade to the PNE. A large New Westminster contingent is ex- pected to participate. Business Agent Appointed ‘Temporary appointment of Joe Madden, Pacific Veneer Ltd., was authorized last week. The ap- pointment was made to fill the vacancy caused by the absence of leave granted Rae Eddie to attend the forthcoming session of the B.C. Legislature. Employees of the Pioneer Tow- ing Co. and’ the River Towing Co. have applied for certification through the IWA, and have beeh signed up with the IWA. The matter of their affiliation is being discussed with the Dis- trict Office and other Local Unions concerned to iron out technical difficulties. Certification will be under Federal Govern- ment jurisdiction, Affiliates Aided Action has been taken by the IWA plant committee in Pacific Veneer to ensure that employees of Roy Bell Electric Co. Litd., who are members of an affiliated CCL Union, are not discriminated against by reason of AFL pres- sure tactics. Similar action will be taken in other New Westmin- ster plants. IWA Sports The Pee Wee Lacrosse team, sponsored by the IWA, has won .| top honors for the area and will now be competing for champion- ship honors in the province. The IWA Bowling League is now organized and ready for a busy and exciting season. Two Ce Get Descriptive LOOK? ” with the lowest maintenance costs in the woods! The Power Saws POWER MACHINERY LTD. 148 Enst 3d Ave., Vancouy yer 10, BC, EM. 3374 sep bibin renee 5-pin leagues and one 10-pin league have been formed. The Local Union will lend its full support and endorsement to the Community Chest Drive in October, it was decided by_the recent membership meeting. Plans for participation are now under consideration. Eleven delegates and four al- ternate delegates to attend the approaching convention of the Canadian Congress of Labor were elected at the membership meet- ing, August 30. They will travel to the convention by plane. Flavelle Cedar Conflict with management at Flavelle Cedar Ltd. has arisen because of the interpretation of the contract clause dealing with union security. In respect of em~ ployees, formerly members of the Union, whose employment has been interrupted, the disposition of management has been to de- mand a literal interpretation of the word “now” appearing in the contract clause. The Union con- tends that mainténance of mem- bership applies throughout, and is not subject to any break, 1-80 Meet Local 1-80, IWA, will hold a Membership Meeting in the K. of P. Hall, Duncan, on September 6th, at 10:30 a.m. Delegates will be elected at this meeting to represent Local 1-80 at the 17th An- nual Convention of the Inter- national Woodworkers of America, which conyenes in Vancouver, October 12. Edna: My husband is in the Navy. He has so few leaves that when he comes home he almost seems like a stranger.” Erma: My, how thrilling! YOU CAN BANK BY MAIL - with IMPERIAL BANK OF CANADA Banking can be carried on simply and safely through the mails. Deposits will be promptly acknowledged and instructions carried out with proper attention to detail. Miners and lumbermen in out-of-the-way places will find banking easy and con- venient using Imperial. Bank mail banking service. Address you letter to any branch listed below and serv- ice will follow promptly. IMPERIAL BANK OF CANADA - Vancouver—Granville & Dunsmolr Vaneouver—Hastings & Abbott Other Branches In British Columba: Cranbrook Fernle Golden Inyermero Natal Nelson Revelstoke Vancouver Victoria aad at ‘Yellowkalfe, N.W.T.