{ | Bi, 9 eat 2nd Issue, September B.C. LUMBER WORKER FROM PAGE 1 “CCL ACTION” toms appear. It is unthinkable that we should once’ more see thousands of able-bodied Cana- dians walking our streets looking for work in vain, as they did in the hungry thirties. As we found out then, unem- ployment can do terrible things to warp and twist peoples’ lives. It is a waste of productive energy that should never be tolerated, and leads to social consequences that are damaging in the ex- treme. Our Congress has already warned the Federal Government of the danger, but without any apparent results. The reply usu- ally given is that the present un- employment is seasonal, although the army of the jobless has been larger every month this year, than in any of the corresponding months in each year since the end of the war. Tough Bargaining Evidently, this inaction on the part of the Federal Gov- ernment suits the employers, for they are starting to act as though they were in the driv- er’s seat, and able to swing the Tash over the workers during their negotiations for contract improvements, Any one who has been able to follow the trend of bargaining and con- ciliation this year, will readily agree that it has become in- creasingly difficult to overcome the employers’ resistance to every demand for contract im- provements. As each month goes by, this resistance to the unions’ demands is intensifying, and the attitude of the employers hardens as un- employment increases, This sets in motion a chain, reaction, for the more unemployed the less the purchasing power of the com- munity, and in turn this creates more unemployment, as the do- mestic market for our production shrinks in this way. The obvious responsibility of the Federal Government:is to take the necessary steps to stim- ulate production in the various ways open to the national auth- ority. Any government that is determined to maintain full em- ployment, can meet the present situation without difficulty, and ward off a much worse situation. In the face of such an import- ant issue, we appreciate the full value of our affiliation with the Congress. As one single Union, with our Canadian activities cen- tred mainly in British Columbia, our influence on a national ques- tion, such as unemployment would be negligible. But when through the Congress we act in unison with all the Canadian workers, we share in a general effort, that counts for the most where it is needed most, at Ottawa. Unemployment Insurance One of the sensible steps to take in the present situation is to extend the benefits of the Un- employment Insurance Act. The reserve accumulated in the hands of the Commission is so large now that the increased benefits urged by labor are now feasible. Aiso when we raise this question we see that we must act through a workers’ organization such as the Congress which can function on a national scale. Every recognized economist has said that one of the most effec- tive remedies for unemployment is the better utilization of our national resources for the needs of the people. As lumber workers we should be interested, therefore, in the promotion of a national housing program, for which a large share of our production would be re- quired. We should spearhead the demand already voiced by Cana- dian workers for such a housing program, and the place where we should be in action first is on the floor of the CCL Convention.” In every - quarter of Canada Bank or MontTreAb Canadas First Pank WORKING WITH CANADIANS IN EVERY WALK OF LIFE SINCE 1817 FROM PAGE 1 Union was PAC, and the need for action at the ballot box. All Local Unions carried ban- ners which identified their affilia- tions, and their numerous floats ingeniously portrayed their main activities. This year the honor of leading the parade fell to the CCL Unions, and President Lloyd Whalen of the Vancouver Labor Council marched at its head. IWA District Officials Joe Mor- ris, George Mitchell, John T. At- kinson, and Joe Miyazawa joined the ranks of the members from the Vancouver Local Union, dur- ing the march. Exhibition Ceremonies Upon arrival at the Exhibition grounds, the marching trade unionists assembled in the exhi- bition’s outdoor theatre, and were welcomed by the President of the PNE Board, Johri Moffitt. They were then addressed by Lloyd Whalen, President of -the CCL Council, and George Johnston, Vice-president of the TLC Coun- cil, as well as Labor Minister Lyle Wicks. President Whalen reminded his audience of the struggle out of which the observance of Labor Day had sprung, and called for action with regard to the press- ing problems of today. Bakery Workers Marched He expressed sympathy for the locked-out Bakery Workers, who had taken part in the parade, and urged support for their fight. to gain the 35-hour week. The Vancouver Labor Council official denounced the B.C. La- bor Relations Act as a threat to the legitimate rights of the trade unions, and urged that it be ef- fectively challenged by the ranks of the unions. The unemployment situation he described as one with menacing features, which required vigilant and united action in defence of the workers’ welfare. The speaker was especially bit- ter with regard to the increase in transit fares, only recently ap- proved by the Public Utilities Commission, over the opposition of labor. He termed this an in- direct wage cut, given legal sanc- tion. Unions Complimented District President Joe Morris, in a reference to the day’s events, at a later stage said: “Pll bet you think that about all the girls!” Why pay for your credit when you can get it FREE. at THE HUB, Hundreds of our cus- tomers like our credit plan be- cause it costs them nothing extra. No ‘special’ or ‘hidden’ charges. See our new fall line of coats and top costs. Buy yours and make your own terms, THE™HUp tro NGS “Those who witnessed the La- bor Day Parade, in Vancouver, last Monday as organized jointly by the Trades and Labor Council (TLC) and the Vancouver Labor Council (CCL), must have been impressed, as I was,:at the best demonstration yet staged of or- ganized labor’s strength and unity in the Vancouver metro- politan area, preparations to make the parade @ success, deserve our warmest congratulations for a job well done. Most of all, I wish to praise those workers who cheerfully responded to the appeal of the trade unions and marched un- der labor’s banner on their day. By their action, they exempli- fied the spirit of solidarity and loyalty which has built better living and working conditions for the workers, and will carry them to still greater victories in the future. Its Méaning It’s not quite good enough to brag about our success in organ- izing this parade, and let the matter rest there. That parade meant something to our trade union movement, that was not all show and display, It was good for us to march in that parade, because we were remind- ed in a concrete way of matters that are often left forgotten in the background. All those trade unions whose, officials spent weeks in strenuous | The general cooperation that| made the parade possible and! gave it prominence in the observ- | ance of the holiday, was a defi-| bearers. “Wins Trophy” nite recognition of labor’s major role in community life. The parade, with its attractive floats, banners, bands and march- ers, was a credit to the partici- pating unions. By the same token, it was obvious that the spectators took pleasure in acknowledging this fact. Organized labor has grown in stature, not only numerically, but in public esteem. An increasing number of those persons outside the trade union movement have come to believe that the trade unions are. indispensable to social progress in our democracies. Prestige Maintained The day’s ceremonies provided an example of harmonious co- operation between the two prin- cipal sections of the trade union movement, the Trades and Labor Congress and the Canadian Con- gress of Labor. Unions affiliated with the Canadian Congress of Labor had their turn this year in leading the parade. But, beyond this fact, little attempt was made to distinguish between local union affiliation, It seemed to me, that a greater pride was shown by each union in the fact that they had suc- cessfully organized the industry in which they find livelihood. The slogans used. also indicated that all sections of the trade union movement are pressing forward toward the same objectives, I believe that the parade left no doubt in the minds of the Van- couver public as to the fact that the trade union movement is here to stay, and that it is now “big business” in our industrial life.” y LLOYD WHALEN, President Vancouver Labor Council, heads Labor Day Parade flanked by Executive Committee members acting as standard HEAD’S LIGHT CRUISER Champion of All Lightweight Caulked Boots @ Featuring High Carbon Steel Of Tempered Boot Caulks FOR SURE GRIP Another Favorite 21 East Hastings Se, HEAD’S fomous “SAFETY TOE BOOTS” for Mill Workers W. J. HEAD BOOT FACTORY LIMITED (PA, 4844) “HEADS YOU WIN” Vancouver, B.C,