“Ast Issue, October B.C. LUMBER WORKER TWA Union Label Launched By1-217 Por the first time in the history of the IWA, the official Union Label was formally attached to IWA-produced pro- duets, at a special session of the International Convention in Vancouver, October 12. As explained by the host Local Union President, Lloyd Whalen, the ceremony was made possible by an agreement with the Rest- more Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Vancouver, negotiated by Local 1-217, with full union shop con- ditions, International President Al Hartung then affixed the Union Label to a vanity table produced in a fully IWA-unionized plant, and congratulated the Company Manager, Mr. W. R. Watson. Also recipient of warm congra- tulations from his fellow-mem- bers was Tom Haggart, IWA plant committee chairman, The occasion was cheered by a large attendance of International Convention delegates, who re- mained to be entertained by a Program exclusively featuring IWA talent. = IWA Entertainment International Organizer Vic Mauro provoked gales of laugh- ter as he practiced his clever ma- gie on the international officers, selected as his victims for the occasion. President Hartung’s tie was snipped apart, and was later magically restored. Most surprised victim was Vice-President Dicey whose shirt was mysteriously detached from his rotund form, without removal of his coat. aes. Jim Bow, IWA printer, proved his versatility by scoring a hit with sweet melody from the trumpet for which he has become famous in the Shrine Band. Joe Donati, a member of Local 1-217, IWA, who in the last year won a distinct triumph in the Theatre Under The Stars musi- cal productions, charmed the audience with his talented vocal- ization of favorite arias from operatic works. The program was master- minded by Stuart M. Hodgson, chairman of the Convention Ar- rangements Committee. Interior Strike - Aired In Victoria Investigation of the conditions which provoked a strike of Interior lumber workers was urged this week in the B.C. Legislature. It was proposed by R. Strachan, M.L.A., member for Cowichan-Neweastle, that the issues be considered by the Standing Committee on Labour, and that the Minister of Labour be called upon to state what action by his Depart- ment may be contemplated. The resolution now appearing on the Order Paper, reads as follows: Whereas it has been reported that 5,000 workers afe now on strike In the Interlor lumber Indus- try of British Columbla because the employers refuse to accept the majority award of the conciliation board appointed for that purpose: And whereas it is also reported that an additional 4,500 workers are contemplating similar strike action: And whereas any stoppage of work affecting such a large num- ber of men in the lumber industry of this Province could mean the loss in wages paid of $100,000 per day: And whereas any prolongation of such a monetary loss would adversely affect the whole econ- omy of our Province and produce dire consequences far beyond the industry immediately involved in such a strike: And whereas it Is vital to the economy of the Province that in- dustrial peace be re-established and maintained in this most im- portant section of our economy: And whereas it is important that the Government give every assist- ance and, if necessary, promote further conciliation proceedings: And whereas it is also import- ant that the members of this Legis- lature and the public of the Prov- Ince be assured that everything possible is being done by the Gov- ernment to promote and restore industrial peace and harmony In the Interior logging and sawmill operations: Therefore be It Resolved, That this Legislature refer the matter of labor conditions in the Interior Jumber operations of British Co-| lumbia to the Select Standing Com- mittee on Labor for its immediate consideration: And be it further Pes this Committee be empowered to ‘call before it the Minister of La- bor and any other member of the Provincial ‘or any other person from whom it may desire to have additional information in or- der to ascertain and determine what actions are being taken by the Department of Labor and the Minister of Labor to overcome the present unsettled conditions in the legging Industry of British Colum. la. BURY RESIGNS Resignation of Jim Bury as Secretary of the Greater Vancouver and Lower Main- land Labor Council was ac- cepted with deep regret at the last meeting of the Council. The Council was informed that Jim Bury had accepted a post on the staff of the ICFTU. The election of an official to fill the vacancy will be held October 27. HOMES FAIL The majority (86.5%) of juve- nile delinquents before Canadian courts in 1951 were living in their own homes at the time they got into difficulties, 3.8% were living in foster homes and 2.2% in insti- tutions. ~ STRIKE” Board recommended contract im- provements, The employers took advantage of the seasonal condi- tions and cruelly forced the work- ers to sign on the old terms under threat of lockouts. The result is that Interior lumber workers are performing the same hard work, as elsewhere in the industry, for $1.52 a day less, Employers Can Afford Wage Hike It was shown before the Con- ciliation Board that the. employ- ers are well able to provide the wage increase proposed, and grant improvements in working conditions. Last year was their most profitable year up to that time, as the records will show. Already this year thty have increased their production over 1952 by 95.2 million board feet or 19%. Their shipments this year have already surpassed last year’s by 14%. It is obvious that they have made greater profits because they have forced their employees to work at the lowest wages paid in the B.C. industry. The employers’ opposition to better contract terms is based entirely on their intention to sell at an economic advantage over B, G. producers now paying high- er wages. They are determined to gain the largest rate of profit in the industry by callous exploi- tation of their employees, In reality, they are asking the In- terior workers to take a cut in their wages of $1.52 a day. The Union Will Aid If you ask my advice, I’ll tell you how you should vote on the strike ballot. It is the advice of the District Policy Committee after careful consideration. Vote for the authorization of strike action. You will thereby tell the boss that you mean business and are ready to back up your de- mands for a better deal. If you do so, you will be in a much bet- ter bargaining position. If the employers remain de- fiant of your rights, you will have the resources of the Union behind you to make sure that you and your family will not suffer any actual hardships. The lumber workers in the Northern Interior are now fight- ing it out on the picket line, and are thereby closer to victory than at any time previously. I know that the same spirit prevails in the South. It is better far to fight for your rights than allow the employers to keep you living on your knees. GENEROUS DELEGATES MONTREAL (CPA) — A collection for the strike funds to support the Packinghouse Workers at Savage Shoe Co., Preston, Ontario, and Steel- workers at the Northern On- tario and Quebec gold mines netted $743.15 when the hat - was passed to delegates at the 13th annual CCL con- vention. The donations were equally divided among the two unions. Se “ | LOGGERS! LO with the lowest maintenance costs in the woods! fie Ravan Sao OK! FROM PAGE 1 among the lumber workers of this province, and make the strength of our Union available to them as an instrument for the betterment of their conditions. A Great Satisfaction We now ask you to share with us a great satisfaction, because of the manner in which the [WA has progressed in B.C. during the intervening four years. Our Union is now firmly established in every branch of the industry, and in every section of the prov- ince. Our 12 Local Unions have enlisted the confidence of ap- proximately 32,000 lumber work- ers, and the number is steadily growing. As we regained, at least a portion of the assets filched from us in 1948, we, at the same time, made certain that the control of our affairs was firmly vested in the membership, acting with com- plete freedom and independence. Our Union in this province has thus gained a healthy vi- tality, and has accomplished this within the framework of the International. You may now treat us with full confi- dence, for we have proved our- selves under fire, as men who intend to hold firmly to the democracy of the International. ciate the fact that action in co- operation with the International has now made our organization here something more than a card- board front. It is a fighting or- ganization, as the trend of our negotiations in the last four years will show. In our struggles for better contract terms, we have substantially bettered wages and working conditions, With your cooperation, we will soon raise them to the standards established in the Pacific Northwest States. Because of what has already been accomplished, I wish to pay tribute to the quality of the help received in our negotiations from the International office. We have learned, with gratification, that through the coordination of effort made possible through the Inter- national, the strength of the entire Union may be brought to We would like you to appre-|~ “WELCOME” bear, where most required. Our adherence to the principles of international and industrial unionism has paid us rich dividends. Interior Strike Situation In this District, we were highly pleased that our International President took occasion on his arrival for this convention to issue a message promptly to the lumber -workers in the Interior of the province. He stated then, and I believe that you will sup- port his statement, that the re- sources of the Union are fully behind them in their struggle for decent living conditions. More than four thousand of our brothers in the Northern Interior are at, this moment on strike, and the probability is that another four thousand in the Southern Interior will also be forced to take strike action within a few days. I would have you know that after patient effort to secure jus- tice by means of the usual bar- gaining and conciliation proced- ures, they were left with no alternative but to strike against intolerable conditions. I know that all of you~will feel, as we do at the Coast, that their fight is our fight., I hope that; later in the con- vention proceedings, their posi- tion may be more fully ex- plained. I mention it now, as proof that the IWA organiza- tion in this province is at all times prepared to challenge sub-standard wages and work- ing conditions. We have in this instance, taken the offensive to meet the threat presented by anti-labor employers in the In- terior, who have made the most unscrupulous attempts to es- tablish a low-wage area -within the B.C. lumber industry. I ask you to remember our boys now on the picket line in the Prince George area, because they are determined to uphold loyally the principles on which this Union was founded. I ask from you the privilege of con- yeying to them your earnest good wishes for victory. FOR THE 300 Water St. SAFE ex the ; Gob SMART on the Street OUR No. 807 MEN’S BURGUNDY SAFETY TOE OXFORD “MAXIMUM PROTECTION WITH COMPLETE COMFORT We have everything in safety footwear MacDONALD & LUMSDEN LTD. TA. 4474 Vancouver 3, B.C. Wholesale Distributors of “MOR-LIFE” Footwear — WEARER” FEATURING: © “Winguard” Steel Toe. « © Fully Leather Lined. © Non-slip Gro-cork Sole and Heel. © Comfortable to Wear, Easy on Sox. ASK YOUR SAFETY SUPERVISOR FOR THIS SHOE.