6 B.C. LUMBER WORKER ist Issue, February —— EDITORIAL - Salute! ‘THE symbolism of the special front page design for this issue of The B. C. Lumber Worker cor- rectly portrays the significance of the Annual District Convention, to which we tender a salute. The truth of this portrayal became evident immediately the convention opened. The confi- dent tone set by the assembly was the outcome of a year of solid achievement. In a very real sense, the convention is “screen- ing” or holding up to public view the concrete results of a year packed with organized action. The picture, as well as the sound, clearly defines and records a triumphal progress in face of for- midable obstacles. Any observer of the convention proceedings can quickly detect the source of the image seen on the convention “screen”. The “powerhouse” of the IWA is found in job action, focussed through Local Union action, and unified and transmitted through District and International action. This symbolism is not intended to convey to the reader that the delegates assembled this week are merely contemplating the past with self- admiration. , They find in the progress and experience of the past year, including the disappointments, fresh and practical reasons for a determined of- fensive to capture the remaining outposts of the Union’s objectives. This convention is not complacent about what has already been done, although much has been done. There is nothing static about its outlook. The mood of the delegates is to move ahead as rapidly as possible, for unless progress is con- tinued, stagnation will quickly bring decay. This year’s assembly intends to challenge the position taken by the employers with vigor and a fighting attitude, that is realistic. It may now be predicted that the outcome of this year’s convention will bring the. realization of a greater good for those whose expectations are properly pinned on the IWA program of action. Empty Promise ‘THE CLAIM of the Liberal government that social security improvements, including the too-long delayed national health insurance plan and higher old age pen- sions, are expensive luxuries which the poor Canadians cannot ‘afford ignores the facts in the history of such legislation in this country. The Canadian defence machine was getting into high gear for World War II in 1940. Unemployment Insur- ance—a social security item protecting the majority of workers—was enacted that year. It went into effect in July of 1941 when the*tooling up for war was more intense. - No one will dispute that Canada had a heavy armed forces’ budget in 1944. Yet that was the year that the Family Allowances’ Act was passed, with effect from July of the following year. This was rightly hailed as a progressive measure, aimed at spreading a little more of the national income among the people. The Cold War years have seen vast defence expendi- tures—stepped up in June, 1950, when the United Na- tions started police action to halt Communist aggression in Korea. Yet the universal old age pension for citizens of 70 and means-test pension for those in need at 65 were introduced the following year, with effect from January, 1952, The Liberals have been promising health insurance since 1919. They did not forget to include it in their election platform last August. That promise likely won them a good many votes. - Three major items of the Canadian social security structure were introduced when our defence budget was high. The reference to these expenditures by the Lib- erals is, therefore, just another excuse for further delay- ing national health insurance-—“Canadian Labour”, “GUS MUST’VE TAKEN ONE OF THOSE UNION PUBLIC SPEAKING COURSES.” : W.A. SAYS ‘THANKS’ On behalf of all the members of the Cranbrook Local 1-405,| IWA, I would like to express their’ sincere appreciation to all those at the Coast who partici- pated in the clothing drive. The shipment arrived here early in January, and the mem- bers of the Women’s Auxiliary immediately appointed a Commit- tee to take care of it. The ladies worked very hard sorting it, and dispatching boxes to all the out- lying towns who sent in orders. Many people who live in the vicinity came in to pick out what they needed and the ladies did what they could to help them. The quality of the clothing was excellent and had obviously been | packed with great care. We ap- preciate the amount of work and | time which must have gone into making up such a huge shipment. The clothing arrived at a very opportune time, as the weather | suddenly turned very cold, and the need for warm clothing was quite acute among some families with several children. Many of the mothers were pleased to re- ceive warm coats to make over for their children, Again, thank you for your con- tributions and support. Edith M. Beday, Secretary-Treasurer, Women’s Auxiliary, Local 1-405. HE LIKES THE B.C.LW. The Editor, We have for sometime been receiving a bundle order of ten B.C. Woodworkers and want to continue the same, We have not been billed for some time but want to pay our way on this as we feel you have a paper that is of great service to not only your members but to all Workers. Hoping to hear from you on this I remain, Fraternally yours, JOHN DENNEE, Sec’y. Local 3-101, I.W.A., Everett, Washington, U.S.A. IWA Eyes Legislature IWA members elected to the Provincial Legislature, and the House of Commons in last year’s general elections were warmly congratulated in the Officers’ Report. At the same time, the attention of the dele- gates was directed to the in- fringement upon trade union rights permitted by the Labor Relations Board, because of loopholes in the ICA Act. Prevailing sentiment among the convention delegates was that more drastic action would be un- dertaken to secure more favor- able consideration of labor's point of view in the Legislature. In this connection, the report stated: “During the past year we have endeavored to place before our membership issues of political significance which they should be cognizant of, and also to place before them the voting record of the various political parties on issues which effect labor. We have kept a watchful eye on Provincial legislation and are greatly alarmed by the power which is being assumed by the Provincial Government in labor ANS Board Running Riot We see the Labor Relations Board going almost,unharness- ed, doing almost as they please without any consideration whatsoever for trade union principles and practices. We find too that the decisions of the Labor Relations Board fol- low the same pattern which was so hotly protested by the Unions, that of deciding what Union shall represent the workers in a given industry. It will be well for our member- ship to keep a watchful eye dur- ing the present sitting of the Legislature to see the: changes, if any, to be made to the Work- men’s Compensation Act, Hospi- tal Insurance Act, and ICA Act. PAC Paid Off The past year has seen the in- tensification of the political ac- tion program of the Canadian Congress of Labor and we are pleased to note that the program was particularly successful in British Columbia, both in the provincial and federal elections. We would, at this time, like to take the opportunity to congra- s| tulate those members of our or- On DIAMONDS, JEWELRY, SILVERWARE, ganization who were elected to office in the Federal Parliament and the Provincial Legislature. We note with satisfaction, that the International Union made a substantial contribution on be- half of the Canadian membership to the Canadian Congress of La- bor Political Action Fund. It is your Officers’ opinion that con- tinued development of the politi- eal action program should take place in all levels of government; and that our organization should, wherever possible, support candi- dates who are sympathetic to the aims and objectives of our movement. 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