IWA CHALLE
CHAIRMAN’S BE

VORKER

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Vol. XX1, No. 18 3 ®* 2nd ISSUE, SEPT. 1953

- VANCOUVER, B.C. 3

5c PER COPY

NORTH INTERIOR
VOTES SEPT. 25

Government-supervised strike vote will be conducted
throughout IWA-certified operations in the-Northern In-
terior on September 25, as a result of the employers’ rejec-
tion of the Conciliation Board’s report. IWA members had
reviously given an overwhelming majority in favor of

Principal recommendations in
the majority report signed by
the Chairman, Mr. E. Lowery,
and the Union’s nominee, Presi-
dent Frank Howard, Local 1-71,
were a wage increase of six cents
an hour across the board- and
three paid statutory holidays.

In announcing the strike ballot,
District 8rd Vice-president Fred
Fieber, in a special broadcast
from Prince George, stated:

“I wish to make the essential
facts clear, regarding the Union’s
position.

After months of unsuccessful
bargaining, the case for the In-
terior lumber workers was placed
before a Conciliation Board.
After hearing the evidence from
both parties to the dispute, the
Board gave a considered judg-
ment proposing settlement on the
basis of a six-cent an hour wage
increase and three paid statutory
holidays, with other minor bene-
fits.

‘The IWA has accepted the pro-
posed settlement. The employers
have rejected it, in a manner that
indicated they preferred a test of
strength. It was in effect a dare
to the workers to prove that they
have the will and ‘strength of
organization to stop production
until their rightful claims are
met.

The Union has taken the only
step that could be taken. The
Union has now arranged that the
workers may declare in a govern-
ment-supervised vote that they
are prepared to back up their de-
mand for proper consideration of
the official award,

Only One Course

There is only one step that can
be taken by any self-respecting
lumber worker, who desires a de-
cent standard of living for him-
self and his family,

should authorize the Union to
make all necessary preparations
for strike action.

If the majority of the workers
register this protest against the
ruthless attitude of the employer
they will prove that they meant
what they said in making the de-
mand for a better contract.

The Union’s vote authorizing
the application for an official

WHAT'S
INSIDE

. Page

When pre- |.
sented with the strike ballot, he’

cceptance, and authorization of the strike ballot.

strike ballot was carried with an
overwhelming majority. The
same majority should be shown
on the government strike vote.
It is the only method by which
the employers may now be con-
vinced that the lumber workers
mean business. The door will still
be open for discussion and settle-
ment.

If this vote fails to bring the
employers to their senses, the en-
tire resources of our Union will
be placed behind the continuing
struggle of the Interior lumber

See “INTERIOR” Page 3

Trades Plan
Parley

Series of conferences at-
tended by a large number of
tradesmen and maintenance
workers, held under the aus-
pices of the IWA Coast Lo-
cal Unions, September 12-13,
was productive of many use-
ful suggestions for presen-
tation to the employers.

The conferences were prepara-
tory to the further discussions
with Forest Industrial Relations
Ltd., expected to resume Septem-
ber 21. Discussion of the rates is
in conformity with the recom-
mendations of the Coast Concilia-
tion Board, as accepted last mid-
summer,

A survey is being conducted of
all category rates, in conjunction
with FIR, in order that full in-
formation may be in possession
of the parties during the ap-
proaching discussions.

Pickets
Deny
Break

Rumors that the picket line
at the Penticton Sawmills, Pen-
ticton, B.C. had collapsed,
were scotched this week by
Representative Jack Strong
Local 1-423, when he reported
on developments to the District
Policy Committee in session
this week.

Negotiating. Committee Secre-
tary Walter Allen also stated
that he had flown over the plant
on his return from Cranbrook,
and was unable to detect the
slightest sign of any activity on
the premises.

The members of the crew, who
acted on their own initiative, in
picketing the plant, are determin-
ed that the employer shall take
effective steps to rectify the in-
tolerable conditions suffered for
many years in the plant.

Rights Won

They supported the IWA in a
representation vote contested by
the AFL, Lumber & Sawmill
Workers, and won the right to
prevailing rates from a Concilia-
tion Board.

Strenuous efforts are being
made by District and Local Union
officials to reach a mutually satis-
factory settlement of the dispute.
In this they were aided by the
volunteer assistance tendered by
President Warren Lowery, and
Financial Secretary Neil Shaw,
Local 1-367, IWA.

On all sides, throughout IWA
circles, the strikers have won
admiration for their militant ac-
tion, only taken after extreme
provocation.

On more than one occasion they
have received demonstrations of
the support of Penticton citizens,
with whom the employer is far
from popular. CCL Unions in the
Okanagan Valley have also ten-

dered their moral support.

LATI

“GOMERY ABUSED POSITION,
REPLACE HIM,” SAYS UNION

Attempted censure of the IWA by Chairman Percy
Gomery in the majority report of the Conciliation Board
hearing the dispute with the operators in the Southern
Interior, caused the Union this week to demand his re-
moval as Chairman of three other Conciliation Boards
scheduled for independent operations in the Southern
Interior.

The highly indignant protest of the IWA officials was
directed against the Chairman’s condemnatory language
in denying all the major demands of the Union, and pro-
posing a wage increase of only three cents an hour. :

Union nominee on the Board, District 1st Vice-Presi-
dent William Gray, filed a minority report in which he
recommended a wage increase of ten cents an hour, three
paid statutory holidays, the 5-day, 40shour week, category
revisions, and the compulsory check-off.

The District Policy Committee has recommended re-
jection of the majority report by the membership. Voting
on the report and this recommendation will be conducted
at-an early date.

On behalf of the District feolicy, Committee, District
Secretary-Treasurer George Mitchell immediately -filed a
protest with the Labor Relations Board. The Board was
requested to summon Chairman Gomery before the Board
in order that he might either substantiate or retract his
charges against the Union. :

Statement made by the Union appears elsewhere in
these columns,

Minority report made by Vice-President Gray is as
follows: .

MINORITY REPORT

The Board heard the briefs and supporting arguments
of both Parties in the City of Kelowna on August 27th
and 28th, 1953.

The Board then adjourned at the request of the Em-
ployers’ Nominee till September 9th when they convened
in closed session at the Labor Relations Board in Van-
couver, continuing through September 10th.

The Board arrived at emannoas findings on:

1. The qualifying time for the second week vacation
and the time at which Employees are entitled to
the second week vacation.

2. Changes to two steps in Grievance Procedure.

3. Changes to the Arbitration section.

4, Addition of a new section on Arbitration dealing

with discharge.
The full text of these changes will be included in the
Chairman’s report.

To my great disappointment and despite long and care-
ful explorations with the Chairman and Employers’ repre-
sentative, I was unable to find a basis on which I could
agree to sign either a majority or a unanimous report on
the following.

Consequently, Iam submitting a minority report on:
1. Union Security

. Wages

. Statutory Holidays

Hours of Work

. Category Adjustments

. Night Shift Differential.

See “REPORT” Page 3

POP wht

woodworkers. Recommendations of the Conference will be submitted to the approaching IWA International Con-

vention, Hotel Vancouver, October 12-16.

Green Gold-CJOR

LISTEN TO
9.15 p.m. 4

Thursday §

IWA BAST- WEST CONFEREN CE held i in Montreal immediately prior to the ‘convention of the Canadian Convess
of Labor, and comprised of delegates to the convention, planned an increased tempo of organization among Canadian

7.05 p.m.
Saturday

6.30 p.m.
Thursday

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