B.C. LUMBER WO!

QOS

. Review

‘THE IWA convention year coincides-so closely
with the calendar year, it may truthfully be said
that the New Year for the IWA in British Colum-
ms actually begins as the District Convention
ends.

It is therefore appropriate that the members -

of the Union should review the happenings of the
expiring convention year. Its landmarks may
serve to assist them to map out the course for
the next year.

Although the rate of travel is always measured
by the milestones passed, it is not always safe in
the case of an organization to consider one year’s
activities as completely separate from the years
which precede and those which follow.

The pattern of that which has happened in
the IWA, and will continue to happen, is the re-
sult of the collective effort to achieve progres-
sively a more satisfactory adjustment to and
within the economic environment.

Successful planning therefore requires the
long range view, that the progress made in any
one year may form a part of the pattern of prog-
ress extending from yesterday into tomorrow.

In retrospect, the progress made by the IWA
since 1937 has been most remarkable. The evi-
dence of this is seen in the homes of lumber
workers, as viewed then and now.

It is this progress and its lessons that should
be considered in planning for the future, that
each year’s gains may be added to the total of
accomplishment over the years and thus main-
tain the momentum of an onward march.

The past year has been a year of progress,
and each gain capped the gains of previous years
to round out a pattern of improving standards
sought by the Union’s membership.

Once more the earnings of the lumber workers
were increased, by direct and indirect means. The
adjustment of the tradesmen’s rates made pos-
sible by a decision won from the 1954 Conciliation
Board, and the Union’s negotiations following a
survey of the problem throughout the industry, is
one such instance.

By this adjustment, across the board, thous-
ands of workers gained a substantial addition to
the pay cheque. Further, their required. qualifi-
cations and duties were purged of gross inequities.

The inclusion of an additional three paid statu-
tory holidays in the Coast master contract was
also a direct monetary gain. But it is also neces-
sary to note, that other improvements in the
contract brought monetary gains.

For instance, the right gained for the fallers
and buckers to negotiate their contract rates
under the protection of the contract has proved
of enormous value to them. It staved off the wide-
spread attempt to slash the contract rates, and in
numerous instances standardized the rates at a
level above that originally proposed.

On the eight points established as a result of
sessions at the bargaining table, benefits were
secured of greater value than were recognized by
many at the time.

One important result of the improved union
security clause is that at many points the Union’s
strength has been increased. The present total
membership strength of the IWA in British
Columbia is at an all-time high.

The Union’s participation in the protest
against the new Labor Relations Act had a far-
reaching effect on trade union thinking in this
province. The Act unfairly restricts a union such
as the IWA, which must bargain on an industry-
wide basis. This experience is one which will
govern the decisions of the [WA members as they
consider legislative proposals for the approaching
session of the Legislature.

With the settlement of the Northern Interior
contract terms on a parity with those won in the
Southern Intevior, the situation in that entire
region was vastly improved. Marked progress
has been made, partially because of the struggle
to establish better wages and working conditions,
and also because of the carefully planned admin-

He Lost His Bet —

TORONTO (CPA) —
a first-hand idea of the prob.
lems facing unemployed C:
adians, Globe and Mail re
porter Jack Hambleton de-
cided to become ‘Jame
Hopkins of Kapuskasing”
visiting Toronto to look for
work. a 4

Hambleton reports that he
walked into Union Station
off the Northland dressed in
bush clothes and carrying
packsack. “Six hours later,
his feet aching and his brain —
weary, he concluded that
there just wasn’t a job for
“James Hopkins of Kapusk-
asing”, no matter how will-
ing Jim was to take any- —
thing from polishing floors —
to unloading trucks at any
price.”

istration adapted to the needs of the area.

In the field of trade union education, the TWA
has made notable progress. This last year’s week-
end Institutes were so arranged as to be accessible
to the members of all Local Unions. The Staff
Seminar also proved to be a most stimulating spur
to the Union’s mastery of bargaining techniques.

The progress made in the work of accident
prevention has been acclaimed as superior to any-
thing achieved elesewhere on the continent. This
progress was largely due to the unstinting co-
operation tendered by the Union in the joint
program.

The progress made in 1954, added to that made
in previous years, has established a sound basis
for further progress in 1955. Plans to build on
this foundation, with the same objectives, and
staunch adherence to trade union principles, will
bring even greater success in 1955.

CALCUTTA DELEGATE RETURNS _

S =

;

iM

OBVIOUSLY APPRECIATING a story just told by the returning traveller, eA isi
to the Annual Convention of Local 1-71 are, from left, Howard Webb, Joe Morris, Soe Miyeeil
tral Mortgage and Housing Cor-

Tom Barnett, M.P.
poration. Homes to be constructed

HOUSING PLANNED
will include 725 two-storey row |

OTTAWA (CPA) — A $14,-
housing units, 150 two-storey |

000,000. Jow-rent housing pro-
ject, the largest yet undertaken

semi-detached units, 150 three-
storey walkup apartment units

through federal-provincial co-

operation, is scheduled for con-
and 200 units in six-store: H
ments, ee

“OLD DOC”

Dr. R. Llewellyn Douglas has
moved his Dental Office from |
9 East Hastings St. to 712
Robson St., Vancouver, B. C.

NEW ADDRESS

by the federal government’s Cen-

struction in the Toronto Met-
ropolitan area next Spring.
The 125 acre site for the pro-

ject in North York is now owned

ans

On DIAMONDS, JEWELRY, SILVERWARE,
ALL VALUABLES
Immediate Cash? No Red Tape!
Unredeemed Diamonds fer Sale

FURS AND

B. C. COLLATERAL LOAN BROKERS LT

77 EAST HASTINGS, Cer. COLUMBIA.

PAcifie 3557-8