INTERIOR STRIKE AID STEPPED UP

BITTER FIGHT LOO

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33

Vol. XXI, No. -22

2nd ISSUE, NOV. 1953 -

VANCOUVER, B.C.

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BLOCKADE SET

FOR INTERIOR

Bold move made by the IWA this week to counter the

Interior employers’ attempts to smash the IWA strikes
by the use of strike-breakers was the organization of a
“seab-herding blockade” throughout the Interior and

ringed about the strike-bound area.

Purpose of the blockade is to
prevent the importation of
“scabs” into the Interior by the
lumber operators, who were
caught in an effort to displace
the strikers by strike-breakers in
attempted resumption of their
operations.

Holding action by the picket
lines effectively rolled back and
defeated all “back to work”
moves, To offset the danger of
an organized migration of strike-
breakers from outside points the
IWA strike officials set up a
“publicity picket” over and
around the whole area.

Cooperation Secured

Elaborate plans were set in
motion, with the cooperation of
the Canadian Congress of Labor,
the Alberta Federation of Labor,
the Saskatchewan Federation of
Labor, and all trade unions in
B.C,

By means of the Interior week-
ly newspapers and radio stations,
all workers were warned that the
strike would be continued by the
IWA, and that strike-breakers
would be named as ‘‘scabs’”’
throughout the entire trade union
movement in the Canadian West.

“Scabs Keep Away”

All transportation routes into
the Interior by rail, bus, or high-
wways, were being picketed and
placarded with “Scabs Keep
Away” signs.

In the IWA blanket advertis-
ing, workers are warned that the
strike in the Interior is a strike
for the right to organize and bar-
gain collectively. It was also
indicated that the employers in-
tend to break the strike by the
use of strike-breakers, and throw
the IWA strikers on the bread-
line.

Transient workers are being
told that the IWA intends to
finance its picket lines till the
fight is won, and that the entire
Canadian trade union movement
is behind the strike.

“Branded For Life”

Strikers are cooperating in this
plan by informing every worker
who may be tempted to “scab”
that he is a traitor to his fellow-
workers, and will be branded as
such for the rest of his life.

In announcing the plan, Dis-

WHAT’S
INSIDE

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cio
Convention 2

Editorials
IWA Pix ...... 5-8

trict President Joe Morris stated:

“The Interior umber opera-
tors have announced their
tentions to block any mediation
of the strike issues. Neverthe-
less, the IWA will co-operate
with the Premier in measures
designed to promote effective
mediation, despite the vindic-
tive attitude taken by the op-
erators,

The Union is now faced with
the employers’ threat to des-
troy our Union throughout the
Interior lumber industry. No
other interpretation can be
placed on their actions. It is a
threat we will fight to the
finish,

The Union must fight for the
workers now on strike, as the
employers intend to displace
them with strike-breakers, de-
priving them of future employ-
ment opportunities in their
own communities.

“Will Fight ‘to the Finish”
The answer of the IWA to
the employers’ challenge is
that we will fight, with all the
legitimate weapons at our dis-
posal. “

With the co-operation of our
Coast membership, the IWA
International, and affiliated
unions, we have the financial
resources to support our picket
lines till next midsummer, and
beyond, if necessary.

We have set plans in motion
today that will impose a com-
plete labor blockade on the
strike-bound areas of the In-
terior. In Alberta, Saskatche-
wan, as well as B.C., at every
point where workers may be
hired and entrained, they will
be advised that the Interior
lumber industry is on strike.

By means of press and radio
advertising, we will inform all
the workers now in the Interior
that they will be known
throughout the entire trade
union: movement as ‘scabs’ if
they accept strike - breaking
employment. We will appeal to
them to keep their names clean

with trade unions throughout»

the entire West.
Will Move Strikers

We intend to use our strike
funds to assist strikers, where
advisable to find employment
in other areas.

We intend to. picket the en-
tire strike area through every
ayenue of publicity, as to gain
the full support of all work-
ers who may otherwise be re-

See “BLOCKADE” Page 3

MEDIATION
EFFORTS
RESUMED

Pressure of public opinion
forced the Interior opera-
tors to reverse their attitude
toward the mediation talks
proposed by Premier Ben-
nett, and resulted in their
attendance at a conference
with the Cabinet, Nov. 26.

IWA officials District Presi-
dent Joe Morris, and Vice-Presi-
dents S. M. Hodgson and Fred
Fieber were present, as spokes-
men for the Union.

Outcome of the discussions was
an agreement to meet in further
conferences, and one such meet-
ing was arranged with the South-
ern Interior for November 30,
under the chairmanship of Con-
ciliation Officer Reg Clements.

Reasons given by the Interior
operators for their original re-

fusal. to consider. any mediation
were mainly that the IWA had
engaged in “threats, intimida-
tion, and strong-arm tactics” and
that acts of lawlessness and
violence had been committed by
the strikers.

Union’s Reply

To these allegations, District
President Joe Morris promptly
yeplied:

“The IWA is astonished at
this breach of good faith on
the part of the Northern In-
terior operators. When in con-
ference with the Premier, it
was understood that no public
statement would be released
until a procedure of mediation
had been found mutually satis-

See “MEDIATION” Page 3

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IWA STRIKERS GET PROMISE
OF AID TILL STRIKE WON

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Decisions approved at the recent quarterly meeting of
the B. C. District Council with regard to the [WA Interior
strike have stiffened the picket line resistance to the
employers’ attacks, and have brought the Union within
striking distance of victory after nine weeks of battle.

Delegates to the Council heard the inside story of the
struggle from the lips of men, who had stepped off the
picket line the previous day. The strikers were given a
rousing reception, when they stated, that as long as they
could hold body and soul together, they would not quit
until decent contract terms had been won. -

With spontaneous unanimity, the spokesman for all
Coast Local Unions expressed the warmest appreciation
of the magnificent fight waged by the strikers against
serious odds, and under zero weather conditions.

With the same unanimity they then proceeded to plan
outright support for the strikers, to ensure that the picket
Jines would be maintained until Spring, or longer, if
necessary.

STRIKE RELIEF INCREASED

Major decision of the District Council was approval of
an increase in the strike relief of $3.00 a week, effective
November 29th. This brings the rate of relief to $15.00
a week for couples, $10.00 a week for single men, with
$2.00 a week for each dependent. se

WINTER CLOTHING ALLOWANCE

At the same time the Council approved the issue of a
special $8.00 winter clothing allowance for each child of
those families whose breadwinners have been on strike in
the Northern Interior for nine weeks.

These decisions were based on calculations regarding
the available strike funds, and pledged contributions. The
strikers were assured that at the present rate of strike
relief, the Union could give financial backing to the strike
for an indefinite period.

Winter Clothing

an excellent state of repair are

Collected :

In the stories told by the strik-
ers, the Council delegates quickly
realized that winter weather con-
ditions in the Interior imposed
hardships for which the strikers
and their families were poorly
prepared.

Approval was given to plans
under which Coast workers
would be asked to donate usable
winter clothing not immediately
required in the milder Coast
weather. Collections are being
made through the IWA Local
Unions in their own communities.
The response to this appeal has
been most generous, and ship-

going forward to distressed fam-
ilies.
Santa Claus Fund

Concern was expressed on all
sides with regard to the outlook
for the children in the strikers’
families during the Christmas
season, It was soon made clear
that IWA members would do all
in their power to make sure the
kiddies would not be deprived of
Christmas joy.

An appeal was directed to all
Local Unions on this score, and
met with a substantial response.
Local 1-80, IWA, immediately
donated $400, and Local 1-217
laid plans to match or exceed the

ments of clothing and shoes in See “FIGHT” Page 3

Wea sree,

<< EMA ©

SCAB-HERDING BLOCKADE of the Interior is made effective in Vancouver when [WA members
display the warning signs at the bus depot. Workers were warned to stay away from phir

ing employment in the strike-bound Interior Iumber industry.

property was arrested.

Green Gold-CJOR

7.00 p.m.
Thursday

One picket who wandered on company

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LISTEN TO 5

7.05 p.m. ¢
Saturday §

: (KNW

6.30 p.m,