B.C. LUMBER WORKER EDITORIAL Stop Bill 28! BILL 28, now before the Legislature, proposing . to substitute the Labor Relations Act for the ICA Act, is a disguised but deadly threat to the legitimate rights of the free trade union move- ment, in British Columbia, The attempt has been made to disguise its men- acing features by throwing a few crumbs in the direction of the trade unions. Its threat consists in the attempt to force trade unions into the pocket of the Minister of Labor, and thereby rendering them helpless in their struggles with the employers. When the pattern established by Bill 28 is closely examined, it betrays an intention on the part of its authors to either control the trade unions or destroy them. The open revolt throughout the entire trade union movement against its viciously restrictive features was preceded at first by open-mouthed astonishment. 3 Men who, through experience, know the prob- lems of industrial relations as existing in B.C., could not believe that officialdom could so brazenly ignore realities. The conceptions, on which the Bill is based, smack of early mid-Victorian attitudes toward slave labor.. If the Bill passes the Legislature it will turn back the clock for organized labor so far that years of heroic struggle will be sacrificed. The Minister who sponsors the Bill has for- gotten that the trade union movement is a democ- racy, forming an important institution of the national democracy. Government interference with a democratic movement and its legitimate functions can only be designed for its destruction. The Minister has forgotten that the trade unions are formed of the bulk of the population— law-abiding men and women who collectively serve the welfare of the whole state as faithfully, or even more so, than any other section of the population. Likewise, the Minister has forgotten that the processes of, collective bargaining provide the sole means for accomplishing a fair distribution of wage income. Collective bargaining cannot fulfill its func- tion, unless labor is able to meet management at the bargaining table on approximate terms of equality. Labor cannot rely on the bargaining processes if its hands are tied as proposed by the Minister. First assuming autocratic powers, the Min- ister proposes the exercise of his powers in num- erous ways that will handicap or even destroy trade unions in dispute with the employers. The crux of the Minister’s tactics, despite any hypocritical pretence to the contrary, is his design to deprive the trade unions of the right to engage in effective strike action. The trade unions have not forgotten, as he has, that unless workers, bargaining for better wages and working conditions, have the right to use the strike weapon as a last alternative, they are at the complete mercy of ruthless employers. The employers use the economic force implicit in their ownership of the tools of production to browbeat the workers into acceptance of terms that ensure continuing profits. Unless the workers, when placed on the de- fensive can use their legitimate strike weapon — withdrawal of their labor — they are helpless to defend themselves against the use of force by the employers. Their only alternative is a continuing . surrender to injustice. The history of organized labor is one of rising living standards, made possible by the responsible use of organized strength, always in readiness to fight for justice. ___ The Minister can purge his contempt of orga- nized labor only by the withdrawal of the Bill, to permit its drastic revision, : : ICFTU EXPOSES DICTATORSHIP BRUSSELS (CPA)—The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions has protested the holding of the 10th Inter-American Conference in Caracas, Venezuela “a country in which a ruthless military dictatorship has suppressed all democratic rights, including that of free trade union organization.” The venue of the Conference, known popularly as the Pan- American Union of the North and South American republics, has al- ready been criticized by U.S. labor organizations. ICFTU Statement An Emergency Committee of ICFTU published the following statement: “We have followed, with growing concern the efforts | made by totalitarian forces of all types to strengthen their foot- hold and to undermine democ- racy in Latin America. The free trade unions of the world are determined to do everything to support the forces of democracy of. which the free trade unions of that continent are the vanguard. But we must emphasize that the political disturbances in Latin America have an economic back- ground and that economic insta- bility and misery are the breed- ing ground on which demagogues and subversive elements thrive. “A sound economic and social development is indispensable for the maintenance and progress of democratic institutions in Latin American countries. Stable mar- kets for Latin American products, at prices making possible decent living standards for the workers, strong trade unions made possible by full trade union rights, and de- velopment of new lines of agri- cultural and industrial production, under conditions which will safe- guard political and economic inde- pendence, are three of the most essential conditions for progress.” The statement also called on the Western nations to assist in the economic development of Latin America through the ma- chinery of the United Nations. Labor Questions Noranda’s Advt. OTTAWA (CPA) — If Noranda Mines Lid. claim the cost of the large advertisements they inserted in the daily newspapers as a deduction for corporation income tax purposes, the National Revenue Department will consider the claim when it makes an assessment of the company’s tax return, J. W. Noseworthy (CCF York South) was told in the Commons this week. The four-column, full-page ads inserted by Noranda purported to give “the facts relating to the strike.” The ads were an attempt to discredit the Steelworkers Un- ion whose members were out on strike at the Noranda mine in northwest Quebec until recently. They also opposed the volun- tary revocable check-off of un- ion dues as “a wonderful scheme devised by paid union leaders” and made a thinly-veiled insinu- ation: that the Canadian locals of international unions were not get- ting a fair deal. For good mea- sure they dragged in the CCF connéction with the Canadian ANS Congress of Labor, Mr. Noseworthy raised the question of cost of such ads being included in Noranda’s de- duetions for corporation income tax purposes, Wilson Appointed OTTAWA — Bernard Wilson, former Secretary of the Canada Labor Relations Board and As- sistant Director of Industrial Re- lations in the Labor Department, has been appointed Chief Bxecu- tive Officer of the CLRB, Labor Minister Gregg has announced. Immediate Cash? B. C. COLLATERAL LOAN 77 EAST HASTINGS, Cor. COLUMBIA OTTAWA (CPA)—The cost of unemployment during Janu- ary, in terms of unemployment insurance benefits alone, was nearly $24 million, according to ~ the Dominion Bureau of Sta- tistics. Ordinary and supple- mentary benefit claimants to- talled 494,831 on January 31, an increase of 140,171 or 39.59 over the same date in 1953. Initial and renewal claims for benefit filed in lecal offices across Canada numbered 292,628 during January, that is 69,368 or 41% more than in the same month last year. Compensation payments for 7,- 568,898 days totalling $23,947,213 were made during the month, m- dicating an increase of $6,444,910 more than the January 1958 total and on account of 1,935,017 days or 35% more than last year. — The Unemployment Insurance Fund continues to build up des- pite the heavy demands i unemployment this winter made upon it. Labor Mini: Gregg told E, Regier (CCF naby-Coquitlam) in the Co: that contributions and int re: paid into the fund in December 1958 totalled $18,969,042 benefits paid out amounted only $16,871,695. : For the whole of 1953, Gregg, income to the fund talled $216,834,580 against a of $157,869,183 paid out in} fits during the year, ‘ Birth rate was 27.9 per I Canadians in 1952, second only to the record 28.8 rate of 1948. — Abramson & Optomelaaay 734 GRANVILLE Marine 0928 = MArine. Ground Floor, Vancouver Block Houra: 9 to 5:80 Es Wednesdays, 9 to 1: On DIAMONDS, JEWELRY, SILVERWARE, FURS AND ALL VALUABLES No Red Tape! Unredeemed Diamonds for Sale BROKERS LTD.