} ' BC Low sitlbmcire ome ors or fet tex Sel Deseret Counc Nab Vol. XXII, No. 16 <> * Ind ISSUE, AUGUST 1955 - VANCOUVER, B.C. “Ge 5c PER COPY 1-217 IWA Picnic Pleases Crowd Postponement of the Annual Picnic, Local 1-217 IWA, to August 13th, placed the event on the kind of ‘August ~ day which made an afternoon at Swedish Park, North Vancouver, an alluring prospect. The IWA Picnic Committee, in following through, so staged the entertainment, that thousands of junior wood- workers, as well as their parents, found it a day packed with excitement and enjoyment. President Lloyd Whalen, in of- ficially opening the picnic, stated that, following the postponement due to rainy weather, so many expressions of disappointment had been received, that the Local Union felt obliged to keep faith with the members’ families at any cost. He expressed his delight that it had been possible to secure the Park on a subsequent summer date, as the officers considered the Annual Picnic as one import- ant contribution which could be made to the excellent social and family relations existing within the Local Union. He paid a com- pliment to the Committee mem- bers and the continued good work of the Ladies’ Auxiliary. In his remarks, he was ably supported by Mrs, Pearl Hodg- son, President of the Ladies’ The sports events, which were capably handled by Master of Ceremonies, Bert Gladu, and Sports Committee Chairman George Obevda numbered 25. More than half of these were for the juniors, who competed with might and main, for the valuable prizes always awarded by the Local Union. Events for the seniors provided keen competition, and gales of laughter, especially the wheel- barrow race, the shoe race, and the specialty race. Plywood Won All the men of brawn in the local plants rallied to display their prowess in the tug-of-war. Some old feuds were fought out See “PICNIC” Page 3 STRIKE FUND URGED In his keynote address before the Milwaukee Con- vention, IWA International President A. F. Hartung urged that the convention plan the esablishment of an international strike fund. He said in part: “We must realize that through the efforts of the’ Union the benefits. to the workers have brought the standard of living to a higher level, making it possible to have more of the better things of life. Naturally, many workers have only down payments on the things they enjoy, and when we ask them to back their negotiat- ing committees by a strike ac- tion, we must realize it takes more money to conduct a strike now than: it did 20 or 25 years ago. So let us prepare to set up a plan whereby we can meet the needs of the strikers and place us in a strong position to sit across the bargaining table with See “STRIKE” Page 3 Unity Plans Under Way Delegates Consider Merger With Other Lumber Unions Early reports from Milwaukee have indicated that the 18th and 19th Combined International Convention, with the largest representation on record, promptly engaged in a strenuous effort to solve some of the most vital prob- lems yet presented to the Union. Over-shadowing all other is- sues was the pending AFL-CIO merger with all the ensuing con- sequences in proposed mergers of the several unions now em- bracing workers in the American lumber industry. The International Officers re- ported that preliminary steps had been taken to develop dis- cussions with the Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union, an af- filiate of the Brotherhood of Car- penters and Joiners. It was also reported that the same union had failed to sign the AFL-CIO no- raid pact. B.C. Delegation The IWA delegation from Brit- ish Columbia. was the largest from any single district and numbered approximately ninety. Its members were active in sup- port of the merger plans and the several constitutional amend- ments, originating in their prov- ince. One merger proposal which gained considerable support in debate was that which urged that when a program of unity was shaped among the unions in the woodworking industry, that it be submitted to a joint special convention. It was further pro- posed that the conclusions of this convention be submitted to a membership referendum vote. Growth Recorded The Officers’ Report and Trustees’ report revealed that the International Union had gained in membership strength and that its financial position had greatly improved. In the Officers’ Report and in resolutions presented from the floor, considerable concern was expressed with regard to neces- sary improvements in the orga- nizational structure, and further surveys will be made. The question of automation was the subject of a number of resolutions: and was also dealt with in thé Officers’ Report. The prevailing opinion «supported plans to make certain that in- creased productivity should be reflected in increased’ leisure, rather than in barren idleness and mass unemployment, It was proposed that plans be laid whereby the potential bene- fits to be gained from automa- tion should not be garnered at the expense of the workers or with undue hardship to displaced workers. Workers should be re- trained, it was urged. A resolution originating in the Eastern Canada Council provok- ed considerable opposition be- cause it proposed the elimination of District organization and the substitution of a structure which would be composed of Local e “UNITY” Page 3 Auxiliary, who extended warm wishes to all the guests for a pleasant afternoon, and stressed the desirability of strengthening the Auxiliary’s purposes. Children First Every youngster entering the picnic grounds was provided with tickets which were the keys to some wonderful delights. They stuffed themselves with ice cream and soft drinks, rode on the ponies, and had their turns on the swings, and carnival round- abouts. Then they joined their parents for the usual basket lunch on the grounds. SHINGLE MEET SEPT. 18 A conference of represen- tatives from the Coast shingle mills will be held in Vancouver, September 18, it was announced last week by District Office. The agenda of the confer- ence will make provision for matters arising out of the new contract provisions for stand-by time. WHAT'S INSIDE Green Gold—CJOR a KIDDIES AT IWA PICNIC 7.00 p.m. 4 CANW 7:5 p.m. Sat., CAV 6:30 pan. Thor. Thursday > CKPG - Ist and 3rd Thursday- 6 p.m.