4 B.C. LUMBER WORKER . Vital Role _ [WA affiliation with the Canadian Congress of Labor means much more than a fraternal ges- ture, It is a working partnership with other CCL unions to attain vitally important ends. The IWA is an integral part of the CCL struc- ture but in addition the Union occupies a position in the Congress of strategic importance. It is the largest and most-influential Union within the CCL in the Canadian West. It provides the real organ- jzational base for Congress operations on the rior coast, both at municipal and provincial levels. As the IWA organizational plans mature across Canada, the Union will be found as one of the largest in the national line-up. This is re-stated here, to make the point that the Congress needs the IWA, and this fact is ap- preciated in Congress circles. A still more import- ant fact immediately follows in sequence, and that is that the IWA needs the Congress. As expansion on a national scale brings the IWA face to face with national issues, the func- tions of the Congress loom in greater importance. Lumber workers in this province cannot now ignore such questions as conditions of mounting unemployment here, but seen in greater dimen- sions elsewhere in Canada. Lumber workers have no better medium to voice their views regarding the menace of unem- ployment than is now provided in their Union’s affiliation with the Congress. Action to alleviate unemployment must be in- itiated in Ottawa, by the Federal Government. Governments are notoriously slow to move on such questions, unless subjected to political influ- ence that cannot be ignored. The Canadian Congress of Labor has proved itself to be the kind of political influence most likely to stir the Federal Government into action. The independence of the Congress is an asset. Its political action policy has made it a factor which the Federal Government dare not ignore. -The Congress cannot be fobbed off too long with empty promises because the Congress is ready with an alternative. The IWA is in a position to make an important contribution to a vigorous program of action on the part of the Congress. It:can do so with em- phasis, because of its strategic position, if care is taken to unify and inform IWA opinion, when voiced on the convention floor. : In the exact degree that the IWA takes. the course suggested, the IWA members will benefit. The purposes of the Congress are those which will serve the well-being of the lumber workers. World. Action BROADENING horizons of labor are evident from recent developmenits in the field of inter- national affairs. The fact that a total of 16 repre- sentatives of CCL organizations will’ participate in meetings in Europe and Asia this year points up the extent to which co-operation and under- standing is growing. The very principles on which unions are built —working together in common interest—applies on a world-wide scale. For a labor organization to be really effective and to fulfill its responsibilities it can no more limit itself to the boundaries of one country than can a union limit itself to the con- fines of a single plant. The participation of CCL members and _offi- cials in these conferences and seminars abroad is, therefore, of service to our country as a whole. They will come back with a new understanding of the problems their fellow unionists face and the methods they are using in meeting them. VIEWS ON UNIONISM The Editor: This is particularly directed at the small minority that object to paying dues or being members of the Union under duress. Are not all our laws practically, whether civic, municipal, provin- cial or federal passed by major- ity decisions and without excep- tion we are bound to live up to them by enforcement whether it’s hospital insurance, income tax, license tax, ete. Trade unionism is the banding together for a common, cause for our best interests and ‘that, too, is the first principle of survival and anything less than 100% is not effective for true recognition and respect in accordance with a truly democratic self governing body. Self Defence Often times people are dis- missed from their jobs for no other reason than because they put up an argument in their self- defence. To argue or disagree is not the greater evil, but to sup- press, stifle or use the weapon of dismissal to deny a livelihood to those who are not “yes” men or do not agree, is tyranical, ‘Authority commands respect and obedience and not ail have the strength of character to carry on such a responsibility without getting haunted by their own af- fairs by disagreement and con- ceive irrational hatreds and so use any means to suppress free- dom of conscious, speech and ac- tion whether justified or not. Are not all conferences nothing but arguments motivating to agree- ment and solution of proolems? In refinement of metals great heat and agitation of molecules brings out the pure product. So in conclusion as the Chinese phil- osophy runs, “Which ever way the wind blows so does the grass bend”, and that is a true reflec- tion of those in authority or com- mand if they are sincere, demo- cratic, progressive and tolerant it is reflected in likewise fashion to their lowliest worker in more congenial and harmonius rela- tions. I must say that once in a long while I have the pleasure of ANS B. C. 17 EAST HASTINGS, Cor. COLUMBIA “« Your Space Boys! Readers TVhink{ freak accident at 2:30 p.m. on August 11th, 1954. In him we have lost one of our staunch members in this camp and a | working in just such cireum-| stances and this happens to be one here, another was at the Dominion Bridge Ordnance Plant in Burnaby. good experienced Powderman. Jerome Hajek. Special thanks to our two a Committee members, W. Polly A ce and D. M. Gray, for their un- ppreciation tiring effort in collecting the The Editor: sum of $101.00, which has been forwarded today to our late Brother’s Sister, Miss Char- lotte Erickson with the deepest sympathy of this Sub-Local’s membership. Signed: “Martin Satcher” Sub-Local Secretary, IWA. A Béeycle Built for Two Feet! Our’ New No. 980 Black Elk Bicycle Pattern Safety Toe Boot is Tops in Safety and Comfort. , Laced To Toe Style Makes Easier Fitting On Narrow Or Wide Feet. Comfortable — Extra Flexible — Light Weight. @ WINGUARD STEEL TOES @ NON-SLIP GRO-CORK SOLES ‘ ©@ PADDED TONGUES @ LONG WEARING @ SUPPORTS THE ANKLE ‘The Vancouver Bay Sub- Local 1-71, IWA express great thanks to all our membership and friends in this camp for their sincere, unselfish dona- tions in sympathy for our late Brother Karl Ragnar Erickson, who passed away due to a ASK YOUR SAFETY SUPERVISOR FOR THIS SHOE. 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