ae We interpret the decisions of the conference as forming one earefully balanced statement of necessary changes in the con- tract, each one supplementing the other, ‘to secure the desired general betterment of living standards for the entire working force in the lumber industry. So, keeping this point in mind, this is the list of demands: The Demands DEMAND No. 1 — The pay- ment of wages on six addi- dional statutory holidays, DEMAND No. 2—Full union security, ” DEMAND No. 3—Day rates and negotiating rights for all workers now on piece- work rates. Statutory Demand number one is for six additional paid statutory holi- | days, ’ This demand is, of course, a - cost item. It will benefit the workers by giving them the, equivalent of another four cents on the average hourly rate. It will cost the employers just that much and no more. In spéaking of this cost we should note that it does not affect the general costs of production in exactly the same way as would a general wage increase, . From the standpoint of the workers, it should be remember- ed that the government sets aside nine days in éach year by proclamation. The purposes are that there should be a general cessation of work, and commun- ity participation in the observ- ances appropriate on the occasion, whether religious, patriotic, or social, The custom is that all monthly- B. MBER WORKE c. LU R DEMAND No. 4—Retention of seniority during lay-off. DEMAND No. 5—Sunday pay at time and one-half for watchmen, boatmen and plant guards. ° DEMAND No. 6—A job an- alysis program for the en- tire industry. DEMAND No. 7—A medical services plan, employer paid, for the whole industry. DEMAND No. 8—Free trans- portation -from the hiring point to the job. Now with the entire list of demands before us, let us return to a consideration of each one separately. Let us ask ourselves, what are the advantages to the workers and the industry at large. Holidays rated workers enjoy these holi- days without any deduction from their salaries. At first, hourly- rated workers were paid only for | those hours in which work was | performed. Now it is generally recognized, that the discrimina- tion practiced against hourly- rated workers is unfair. _ Without a continuation of pay on statutory holidays, they suffer merely another day’s lay-off with- out pay. They and their families are not enabled, therefore, to enjoy the community observances of legal holidays with the same freedom as the rest of the work- ing population. By denying wages for these days, the employers automatically classify them as second-rate citi- zens, a fact that is deeply re- sented. From the standpoints of health, moralé, and justice, as well as the public interest, this demand, if agreed upon, will benefit both labor and manage- ment. Union Security Demand Number Two is for full union security. Our concep- tion of full union security is the establishment of union shop con- ditions, This is not a cost item, but in former years has been opposed by the employers as bit- terly as though it were, As a matter of fact, it is a matter of concern to the employ- ees alone. If, by majority will they desire this form of relation- ship with the employer, they should not be denied this right. In principle, it means that all those who bargain through the jlegally established bargaining agency, should democratically ac- cept the responsibilities as well as the rights conferred upon them by the establishment of collective bargaining. T'll have much more to say on this topic at a later date. I have just this to say to lumber work- ers: You will find in the bitter opposition of the employers your best reason to fight for the Union Shop. The only reason it is op- posed by the employers is that their opposition may weaken our | bargaining strength. Contract Rates Demand Number Three is for established day rates for fallers and buckers, and shingle mill workers with the basic right to negotiate rates for all piece- work. As all those who now work on contract rates will realize, this is not a demand for more wages at this time, but is a de- mand for the legitimate protec- tion of the income which these workers can now earn from their production, ‘Without attempting to explain all the technical details, which were fully understood by contract workers at the conference, it is the Union’s intention to relieve the deadly pressure under which these workers must now produce, make their working conditions safer, and protect them against arbitrary reduction of the rates, negotiated on their behalf in light of the job conditions. Seniority Rights Demand Number Four is for the retention of established sen- iority rights during any lay-off. This is not a cost item, but is of great importance to the workers in a period when the employers reduce or expand the soree force as required to meet their needs, The ten into the contract. If it means anything at all, it should be extended to protect the re-hiring rights of all workers, “CONTRACT DEMANDS STATED IWA Research Men JOE MIYAZAWA while they are kept waiting for the employment, from which they have been only temporarily sep- arated, through no fault of their own. Sunday Pay Demand Number Five is that wages should be paid at the rate of time and one half on Sundays, to*watchmen, boatmen, and plant guards, The need for removal of a.glaring injustice is so ob- vious that I need not enter into any lengthy explanation. These workers, which constitute a small Medical Demand Number Seven is for the introduction of an employev- paid medical services plan for the whole industry. A number of |firms in the indusiry already make such provision, with vary- jing conditions. Because of the great need for better health pro- tection, the Union now considers that the principle should be given general application. This is, of course, a cost item. Fare Al Demand Number Light is that the employers should now as- sume full responsibility for the provision of free transportation for workers, from the. place of hiring to the place of employ- ment. This demand originates mainly with the loggers and for very good reason. For the most part their wor is performed at sites far distant from the hiring offices of the logging firms, They have been required to pay their fares, us- ually by steamship or plane, to and from the job. Due to fréquent shut-downs, caused by weather conditions, or high log inventories they must bear this high expense repeatedly “A six letter word meaning tough? ... Ya’ dope, it’s WATSON, the glove that’s really tough!” percentage of the working force, should be treated as fairly as production workers. Job Analysis Program Demand Number Six is that job analysis program be institut- ed throughout the entire industry. This is a fact-finding project that is long overdue. It is necessary that we may now lay the basis in which all category rates will be fairly adjusted on a compar- able basis. Services The measure of its cost is not entirely the measure of its bene- fit to the workers, but it is equal to another 3% cents on the aver- age hourly rate. Every worker knows its ‘importance, which I need not stress here, In consider- ation of the interests of both labor and management, this health protection will substanti- ally reduce the lost production and lost income resulting from preventable illness. lowance during the course of a year. It is a direct penalty against their take-home pay, because of condi- tions beyond their control, and because they cannot establish re- sidence in close proximity to their work. The Union is determined that this penalty be removed. No other class of worker in this pro- vinee is treated in this way. Total Gains Add these demands up, and es- timate their values. If you are of a better wage structure, with-! thinking in terms of dollars and cents, these demands if negotiat- ed, will be the equivalent of an hourly wage rate increase across the board of seven and one-half cents. If you add up all the other values, it will be found that these demands will enormously improve living and working standards for the lumber workers, in many ways that cannot be reckoned by dollars and cents. No Wage Increase We will not attempt to nego- tiate a wage increase. This point ‘was thoroughly discussed by the delegates attending the Wages and Contract Conference. They reported the sentiment of the workers on the job to the effect that in fighting for wage in- creases during recent years many important working conditions were sacrificed. The improved working condi- tions outlined in this year’s de- mands, in their entirety, have a value for the workers as great as any possible general increase of the wage rates, and cannot be so easily taken away. The employers will find it difficult to deny these demands because they will stabil- ize employment and stimulate higher morale and greater effi- ciency ‘in production. The Markets From the standpoint of the workers, we consider it of great importance that they should gain the utmost protection in the en- joyment of steady work this year. ‘We therefore emphasize, in these demands, greater security in em- ployment, better job security, and health protection, From the standpoint of the employers, we will be able to say, that by protecting the interests of their employees in the way we propose, they will be protect- ing the markets about which they express such great concern. Ex- panding, efficient production to hold their competitive position on the world market is in the final analysis based on the well-being and efficiency of the workers in the industry. Housing: Of the dwellings built last year, one in four was _ for rental purposes, about the same proportion as in 1952. This was roughly 24,200 new rental units as against 18,250 in the pre- ceding year, an increase of close to one-third. PHONE TAtlow 7140 FOR DAILY HOME CARRIER DELIVERY V A Real Union Shop . And No Mistake! No less than TEN unions work in harmonious association with the management of The Van- couver Sun to produce the daily issues of Western Canada’s leading newspaper that go into two out of three British Columbia homes. . to be a real Union Shop throughout, with agreeable relations with all its organized crafts and personnel. The Sun is happy THE