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Vol. XXII, No. 4

<> * 2nd ISSUE, FEBRUARY - VANCOUVER, B.C.

<> 5c PER COPY

IWA DENOUNCES |
LRB “SCABBING”

Scathing denunciation of the Labor Relations Board
for strike-breaking activities, and flagrant violation of the
rights of organized labor, was contained in a resolution
adopted by the IWA delegates attending the recent Annual
District Convention, by unanimous standing vote when
the facts were bared regarding the official victimization
of IWA strikers at the Creston Sawmills.

The hardships experienced by
82 IWA strikers, held on the
picket line after the strike settle-
ment as a result of the official
certification of the AFL strike-
breakers were outlined in graphic
language by Representatives
Clayton Walls and Vie Mauro,
supplemented by Mrs. Fred Ben-
thiene, wife of one of the strik-
ers.

The full text of tho resolution
is as follows:

WHEREAS: During the recent
strike in the Interior Lumber-

ing Industry in British Columbia,

a hard-fought and heroic battle

was waged by the Lumberwork-

ers involved, and

WHEREAS: During this strike

the workers were subjected to
brutal and vicious attacks by the
Employers’ Organizations, to
break the spirit and morale by
the use of strike-breaking tactics,
including injunctions, and the
threats of deprivation of - their
future employment possibilities,
and,
WHEREAS: At the Creston Saw-

mills, at Creston, B.C., the
Employer in collusion with the
Lumber & Sawmill Workers’
Union, of the International Bro-
therhood of Carpenters & Joiners,
AFL, succeeded in recruiting and
organizing scabs and resuming

See “SCABBING” Page 3

Clean-Up Ordered
In “Filthy” Camps

Warning that unless “filthy” conditions now prevalent
in loggmg and sawmill operations adjacent to Prince
George are immediately remedied, that they will be closed
down, was made recently by Dr. H. M. Brown, local medi-

cal health officer,

His threat of drastic action was
the culmination of a long and
persistent campaign waged by
Local 1-424, IWA, with frequent
appeals to the Provincial Health
Department, Victoria.

The medical health officer
warned that the camps would be

» closed unless the “filthy” condi-
tions were eliminated before the
spring break-up.

Disclosure of conditions under

WHAT'S
INSIDE

Page
Editorials ......

which woodworkers were living
in many camps followed visits by
sanitary inspectors of the Cariboo
Health Unit.
One Camp Closed

One camp on the Giscome high-
way which had planned to resume
operations was ordered to remain
closed until sanitary and health
requirements had been met.

“Several of the camps in this
area are in very good condition,”
said Dr. Brown, “but a great
many do not meet a fraction of
our requirements. They do not
supply clean bedding, have no
bathing facilities, the kitchen is
often dirty, and the bunk houses
are constructed so that the wind
whistles through them very
easily.”

Deplorable Conditions
“Some camps we have come

See “CLEAN-UP” Page 3

Green Gold—CJOR

CARPENTERS
CONDEDIN
TREACHERY

Appearing below is the
verbatim text of a letter re-
ceived by IWA District
President Joe Morris, which
is published here at the re-
quest of Local 2458, United
Brotherhood of Carpenters
& Joiners, Nelson, B. C.

Dear Sir:

In behalf and in accord with
the décision of our membership
we would appreciate it very
much if you could find space in

*your paper for the following,

which, by the way, has been
forwarded to the Hon. Lyle
Wicks, Minister of Labor
(B.C.), to the Labor Relations
Board, Victoria, Joe Morris,
District President (IWA, Cres-
ton Local IWA and to the
Press.

The unanimous decision of
our membership while in ses-
sion, February 19, 1954, was
formulated after a period of
analysis and discussion on the
following matter contained
herein.

That, in view of our B.C.
Provincial Council of Carpen-
ters’ Convention decision re-
solved in October, 1953, at the
"Labor Temple, Vancouver, “to
adopt the principle and strike
for organic unity in the trade
union field between the AFL-
TLC, CIO-CCL, etc. to fight
against union-raiding and to
respect all picket lines, that
are sacred to the workers” we
frown upon the union-raiding
strike-breaking actions of re-
cent date in the Creston area
by certain of the executive
members of the Creston Car-
penters’ Brotherhood, Local
2318 (guided and encouraged
by a Special Representative of
the Carpenters’ International)
against the IWA Creston Local
during the strike period involv-
ed in dispute between its mem-
bership and the Creston Saw-
mills Ltd., Creston, B.C. Many
documents and affidavits bear
testimony to this case.

The membership of Local
2458, Nelson, B.C., of the Bro-
therhood of Carpenters ang

See “CARPENTERS Page 10

DELEGA

READY IWA
FOR ACTION

Annual Meet Sets New

Target For Progress

When the gavel in the hands of District President Joe
Morris crashed the signal for adjournment of the 17th
Annual IWA District Convention in the late evening, Feb-
ruary 18, the 150 delegates assembled in the Hotel Geor-
gia, Vancouver, prepared to return to their Local Unions
with satisfaction in a job well done, and confidence that
the Union was fully ready for strenuous tasks ahead.

A wide range of problems had
faced them with a formidable
agenda at the opening of the
convention four days earlier. In-
dustrious application enabled
them to clear the order paper,
and discharge the various con-
vention committees with thanks
for a satisfactory performance.

Best On Record

On all sides, the opinion was
expressed that the convention had
been one of the most successful
on record. The proceedings struck
a note of constructive purpose;
harmony and unanimity prevail-
ed in many contentious issues;
and the representative character
of the gathering was stressed hy
the largest quota of delegates yet
seen from the Interior.

The steady grind of dealing
with resolutions and reports was
relieved by addresses from fra-
ternal delegates prominent in the
labor movement, and including,
International President Hartung,
CIO representative Adolph Ger-
mer, U.S. District Officers J. E.
Fadling, Burke Christie, and Har-
vey Nelson. Regional Director
Dan Radford spoke for the CCL;
Commissioner Chris Pritchard
represented the Workmen’s Com-
pensation Board; and C. D. Or-
chard, Deputy Minister of Lands
and Forests, appeared for the
Provincial Government,

Convention Banquet

The Convention Banquet, held
in the Commodore Cabaret on the
evening of February 16, brought
the delegates, wives and friends
together in a spirit of warm so-
ciability. The traditional gaiety
of the occasion and excellent pro-
gram, made the event an out-
standing success which contribut-
ed greatly to the good fellowship
enveloping the convention pro-
ceedings. f

, Out of the convention delibera-
tions emerged a well-rounded
program of action for the ensuing

ryear,

See “ACTION” Page 3

LISTEN TO

tasters CKNW

Saturday

LARGER
FUND
URGED

Consideration of the pres-
ent reserve in the District
Council Strike Fund during
a closed session of the re-
cent IWA District Conven-
tion resulted in a recommen-
dation to the membership
that approval be given the
continuation of the one dol-
Jar per member per month
assessment,

While the actual figures were
not disclosed at the end of the
closed session, it was stated in a
subsequent statement to the
membership by the District Ofi-
cers that the fund was regarded
as being too low for safety, due
to the drains placed upon it by
the Interior strikes.

The recommendation of the
convention was devised as pre-
senting the easiest method of re-
storing the fund to an adequate
level, without imposing undue
hardship on the individual IWA
member,

Steps were taken immediately
by the District Officers to submit
the question to a referendum bal-
lot, seeking approval.

“ Vital Backing

It was emphasized in a release
to the Union that the purpose of
the assessment is to give the
Union freedom of action during
future negotiations. The exist-
ence of a substantial strike fund
had made victory possible in the
Interior, and would, when restor-
ed, ensure that the Coast em-
ployers would be required to give
proper consideration to the

7.05 p.m. ¢

Union’s demands, it was stated.

CAV 6.30 p.m.

Thursday