6 i B.C. LUMBER WORKER Well Done IWA members who attended the 18th Annual Dis- trict Convention are already convinced that the outcome of its deliberations will be beneficial to all the workers in the lumber industry. The question from the Union’s membership at large that they must now answer, and which we will attempt to answer here is: “What was done by the convention delegates likely to prove of benefit to the lumber workers as a whole?” The first point to make, in answer, is that the conduct of the convention, the information dis- | closed, and the high level of the debates all com- bined to demonstrate the strength of the Union for the task in hand. The gathering was thoroughly representative of all sections of the industry and all areas in the province. The delegates displayed a mature out- look toward the questions before them, and dis- posed of them in a business-like and experienced manner. The general atmosphere was such as to win a high place for the IWA in public confidence, for the convention was in reality the Union’s show-window. The convention did a first-class job in setting the stage for contract negotiations. It did not at- tempt to determine what the actual contract de- mands should be, but Jaid the basis for decisions at the Wages and Contract Conference. The discussions in the convention on contract demands served to give the membership the com- plete picture of conditions that must be rectified or improved. All the economic factors involved were sorted out and considered in relation to the relative importance of the wide range of demands from the rank and file membership, that priorities may be established as negotiations commence. Most important of all, the opportunity was provided by the convention for the membership to appraise the strength of the Union for any task that may be demanded of it. Negotiations can only be as successful as the power of organized strength placed behind the demands. Evidently the delegates formed the opinion that the Union was ready and poised for a major advance. The attitude of the convention toward the pro- posed AFL-CIO merger was significant, as it de- clared the position of the largest union in the province. The IWA members believe in unity, as the District President declared in his opening ad- dress. It remains only to determine that the con- ditions of merger are such as to promote genuine unity: of purpose. The assurance that the principles of indus- trial unionism will be allowed full play within the proposed merger, and that each participating or- ganization will retain its integrity, cleared away any lingering doubt with regard to the reception of the proposed agreement. _ It was disclosed during the convention, that the delegates are not only interested in legislation, having a direct bearing on their own interests, but that they were concerned about legislation affect- ing the general welfare of the province. Unemployment is not as critical in the lumber industry as in other sections, but the lumber work- ers are prepared to wage a campaign against unemployment anywhere in the economy. In the decision to appear before the Sloan Commission, they exhibited a desire to conserve the major natural resources of the province in the interests of all the people in the province. It was a good.convention. The decisions made when executed, will again lever the welfare of the: lumber workers, up a few more notches in the scale of social progress. Warning The Editor, I would like to have this letter printed in your paper as a warn- ing to other loggers like me who sometimes buy suits in camp. I bought a suit from a Mr. Charles Buskins who represents the Fenwyck Tailoring Company of Montreal. I ordered and paid cash for it on July 19th, 1954 and I still haven’t got it seven months later. If this letter keeps others from making the same mistake as I did, I will be quite happy. J. Gowarlock. Cranbrook Says “Thanks” The Editor: On behalf of the members of the Women’s Auxiliary, Local 1- 405, IWA, Cranbrook, I wish to thank the District Officers for their generous donation to our Christmas Fund. We were very pleased to receive it. We sent $25 of the donation to the Galloway Sub-Auxiliary, which I am sure they appreciated. May Beday, Secretary. “JUST LIKE AN ASPIRIN” OTTAWA (CPA) — The proposal to extend the mini- mum benefit period and in- crease the amount of supple- mentary unemployment insurance benefits was re- ceifed by Colin Cameron (CCF Nanaimo) with some- thing less than enthusiasm. Cameron noted in the Com- mons: “. . . I_welcome it .. - in the same spirit in which I receive gratefully an as- pirin when I have a head- ache, being under no illusions whatsoever that it is going to cure the cause of the headache.” Henry Weisbach Says... POLITICAL ACTION A ‘MUST’ Representative of the Canadian Congress of Labor at the recent District Convention was Henry Weisbach, CCL- PAC Director, who warned the delegates against the men- ace of mounting unemployment in Canada and the trend of provincial legislation restricting the rights of the trade unions. He. said in part: “Today in Canada the Canadian Trade Union movement has no other choice but to enter the political arena. We just cannot obtain our objectives across the collective bargaining table alone. To have a high standard of living we need good housing, we need health insurance, we need full employment and we need proper old age pensions. These things have to be obtained through the channels of legislation. We will never obtain these ob- jectives if we keep electing people to represent us whose sole in- terests are the profits of big business. Political Objectives As Trade Unionists we must take steps to make certain when- ever we have an opportunity, to elect the people. who will fight for full employment and social and economic security. There is not much point in trying to fight across the collective bargaining table only to see that our econo- mic gains are taken away by the political shilly-shallying of the old line parties. If we as trade ANS that the time will not be far unionists realize our political power, as we have realized our economic power, we can look for- ward to the time when we will have a Canada where social jus- tice will come first, where the welfare of human beings will be put before the profit of the vest- ed interests. As trade unionists we have a tremendous responsibility to car- ry our fight to all levels of gov- ernments, municipal, provincial as well as federal, Our is a just fight but it cannot be carried on as long as we shy away from taking political action as serious- ly as we take economic action. If we do that we can be sure away, when we can make Canada a, country from which poverty and want are banished and hu- man decency and security take their rightful place. Such a goal can only be achieved if we make our political arm as strong as our economic arm is at present. This is our job, this is our program for-political action. In that sense I believe we can go forward to a strong, secure On DIAMONDS, JEWELRY, SILVERWARE, FURS AND ALL VALUABLES Immediate Cash! No Unredeemed Diamonds for Sale B. C. COLLATERAL LOAN BROKERS LTD. 77 EAST HASTINGS, Cor. COLUMBIA trade union movement whose voice will be heard not only in the economic battles but will also’ be heard in the legislative cham- bers across Canada, An inquisitive old lady in the zoo touched the arm of the keep- er and asked, “Can you tell me, sir, if that crocodile is male or female?” “Madam,” answered the keeper as he shuffled off, “that is the business of another crocodile.” 8% Two travelling salesmen, hay- ing a few hours in a small town, decided to dine at the village Telephone TAtlow 6641 | hotel. SOLICITOR TO THE 1. W. A. One of them turned to the pretty waitress and asked: “How’s the chicken?” “Oh, I’m fine, sir,” she blushed, “how are you?” Alex B. Macdonald Barrister & Solicitor Notary Public 751 Granville Street VANCOUVER, B.C. Red Tape! 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