ey

B.C. LUMBER WORKER

ist Issue, January

‘DONALD MacDONALD |.

“JOBLESS
DOUBLING” —

Serious concern with mounting unemployment in
Canada was voiced by Donald MacDonald, Secretary-
Treasurer of the Canadian Congress of Labor, in a state-
ment issued recently. Unemployment for the winter
of 1953-54 might well reach proportions well in excess of
the post-war record in 1949-50, Mr. MacDonald warned.

“The number of unemployed
workers in November was a third
higher than the figure for Novem-
ber of last year,” Mr. MacDonald
said. “A total of 266,043 was
listed as unplaced applicants last
month, according to the latest
official figures. The increase in
unplaced applicants last month
was 48 per cent higher than in
November of 1952. While this
figure includes some people who
have jobs, the increase in several
key cities shows more sharply
the seriousness of the present
situation,

On November 19, Montreal had
29,185 unplaced applicants — an
inerease of 61 per cent over last
year; Hamilton had 6940—44 per
cent over last year; Toronto had
17,257 — 60 per cent over last
year; Edmonton had 4934—83 per
cent over last year, and Vancou-
ver, 17,487—28 per cent over last

year.
82% Increase

“The total without jobs and
seeking work for all of Canada
in November was 151,000, an in-
crease of 32 per cent over last
year,” the CCL secretary-treas-
urer continued. “Since this does
not include people on lay-offs of
less than 80 days, it understates
the actual number of unemployed:
The unplaced applicants include
some people who are employed
but seeking better jobs.

“The number of persons with-
out jobs and seeking work was
probably the highest for any
November since the end of the
war,” Mr, MacDonald pointed out.

“This serious situation could
worsen before spring. The ex-
perience of 1949-50 shows that
the number of employed could
double before the winter is over.

Proposals Made

“There are several measures
the federal government could
take in order to offset the harm-
ful effects of this situation,” he
stated. “Unemployment, insur-
ance benefits should be raised. A
comprehensive public assistance
system, as advocated by the Can-
adian Welfare Council, could be
instituted.

“Projects from the long-stand-
ing ‘shelf’ of public works should
be undertaken in places where un-
employment is heaviest. Increased
aid to under-developed countries
would provide new long-term
markets. Immigration should be
restricted while jobs are non-
existent for prospective citizens.

“Mounting unemployment in
Canada is more than seasonal, It
is time that the government rec-
ognized this and fulfilled its duty
to the people as a whole by thor-

ale

ough planning in_ co-operatien
with industry “and labor to solve

problem.”

NEWS DIGEST

MONTREAL. — January-September profits after taxes for
strike-bound Noranda Mines Ltd. totalled $9,422,000, the company
announced. Profits in the comparable period of 1952 were $8,931,000

or $3.99 per share against 1953’s
“ *

$4.20 per share.
*

GENEVA.—The I.L.0. rejected Russia’s application for mem-

bership because of reservations

made in its applications. I.L.0.

Director-General Morse has left the matter open for further con-

sideration by the Russians.
*

OTTAWA.—In the first vote

2
“of the 22nd Parliament, Liberals

and Conservatives lined up to defeat the CCF amendment for a
national health plan by a vote of 156 to 36.
* « «

TORONTO.—Kight Canadian rubber companies were fined a

_ total of $800,000 here for conspiring to limit competition and fixed

prices in auto tire production and the manufacture of rubber foot-
wear. Crown Prosecutor Phelan estimated during the trial of the
tire companies that they had “illegally extracted” $1,300,000 a year
from the public over the Tast, 1b years:

OTTAWA.—The Unemployment Insurance fund stood at $903,-
095,488 at October 3ist this year, the Labor Minister announced.
No extension of benefits to those who become ill while unemployed
was being considered, he said,

Publication date of the next issue of the B.C, LUMBER WORKER
is Jonuary 21st. Deadline for ad copy is January 14th and for news
copy January 15th,

— BC LonsentWorven

Representing the Orgoutzed Logger exd Mill Werkers of B.C.

PUBLISHED TWICE MONTHLY ON THE FIRST
AND THIRD THURSDAYS BY
International Woodworkers of America (CIO-CCL) em,
B.C. District Council No. 1

DISTRICT OFFICERS:

President ..... weve JO@ Morris
ist nA Con Sd = william 3 Gray
President : ;

Vice-President SAT ea dieber

Seeretary-‘Treasurer ifme H. Mitchell
International Boara Member ... Gewalter P- Alten
Address all communications to
GEORGE H. MITCHELL, Secretary-Treasurer

46 Kingsway - Phone Fairmont 8807-8
Vancouver, B.C.

Illustrated is the Cruiser’s
Stag of pure virgin wool
in mackinaw or kersey.
Mackinaw plaids are either
red and black; green and
black, or blue and black.

pack pocket in back, which

These are two of the

or favorite dealer.

Notice the four large pockets in front, and the large

feature of both mackinaw and kersey garments.
Brand” clothing obtainable from your commissary

Made in Vancouver, B.C., by Jones Tent & Awning
Ltd., they are designed through careful study of the
needs and desires of B.C. workmen,

LOOK
FOR THE
NAME

opens at both sides... a

many designs of “Pioneer

JONEER,
7 BRAND

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~ FOR WORK CLOTHING

OF

UNSTINTED MATERIALS

DESIGN and
WORKMANSHIP

Epoch making changes have
occurred in labor conditions in
the New Japan. The 1946 Con-
stitution guarantees to--labor
both afatr-deal and a dignified
Status. Subsequent legislation
has translated these promises
into facts.

dJapan’s first Ministry of Labor
was established in 1947. It is
specifically charged “to improve
the welfare of the wage earners
and advance their opportunities
for securing profitable employ-
ment, thereby making contribu-
tions to the economic prosperity
and the stabilization of the peo-
ple’s life.” There followed, in
quick succession, a series of de-
tailed enactments which broadly
speaking:

(a) legalized trade unions;

(b) laid down compulsory
standards of working con-
ditions, including an 8-
hour day, paid holidays,
rules for apprenticeship,
the protection of young
workers and obligatory
provisions for safety and
hygiene;

(c) inaugurated compulsory
unemployment and health
insurance, old age pen-
sions and workmen’s acci-
dent insurance compensa-
tion.

Under these provisions a labor
relations commission has been set
up in each of the 46 provinces.
They work under the direction of
the central conimission in Tokyo
and employers unwilling to carry
out their rulings have been sys-
tematically prosecuted. Employ-
ment exchanges, vocational guid-
ance and training centres have
also been opened from one end
of Japan to the other.

The number of 'trade unions
and their membership has grown
from 993 and 408,000 respectively
in 1935, to 27,644 and 5,686,774
in 1951, and this trend is con-
tinuing. As in the West, the
unions have had to contend with
subversive Communist elements
and the conflict has been bitter.
Although orthodox labor has in
most cases met this challenge
successfully, organized Commun-
ism remains a serious nienace to
the labor movement.

Bubscription Rates —__.#1.60 annum

Advert! A.
Authorized as Class Mail, Post Office Dope Ottawa

24,000 COPIES PRINTED IN THIS ISSUB

Japan has had her fair share
of labor disputes and strikes and
the issues have been complicated
; due to management, labor and

LABOR IN JAPAN
WINS NEW DEAL

government conciliation commis-
sioners alike having to adopt a
new approach-to~labor felations
| as well as operate a whole series
of comprehensive social welfare
provisions of which they have
had no previous experience.
Nevertheless, the benefits of the
new Labor Code have already
won general recognition,

QUEBEC
NAMES MORIN

MONTREAL (CPA)— Jacques
V. Morin of Montreal has been
appointed executive secretary of
the Quebec. Federation ‘of Indus-
| trial Unions (CCL-CIO), the Fed-
eration has announced.

Since 1951 Mr. Morin has been
secretary of the Labor Commit-
tee Against Racial Intolerance.
The new Federation secretary is
a social science graduate of the

University of Montreal.

THE CAN.

wi

BANKING BY MAIL

The safe way to save
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Canadian Bank of
Commerce in British
Columbia. Get some
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before you leave town,
or write for a supply to
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the Commerce.

BANKING BY MAIL is convenient, easy tn do.
See for yourself—today.

IAN BANK

_ OF COMMERCE

80 Branches in British Columbia