B.C. LUMBER WORKER 2nd Issue, August is intended to work. In an effort to sift out con- flicting rumors, I secured the text of the UAW agreement with Ford, Detroit, The agreement reached between the United Steelworkers and American Can is another matter, and is reported The Cruisers’ chest, back and sleeves. Four roomy out- side pockets, de- signed for ‘field books and instru- pencil pocket overlaying left bre: doubt on front only. Made exclusively by VANCOUVER 4, B.C. Coat (P, 658) has double thickness over shoulders, The Pants (P.656) are completely with additional interlining 43 WEST HASTINGS STREET “NYLON . POPLIN” FEATHERWEIGHT Clothi: Before GAW Demanded’ By IWA ROVING REPORTER many people have asked so many questions about the guaranteed annual wage (GAW in journalese), that I decided to find out all I could about the subject. I found that most trade unionists in B.C. know as much about the matter, as they do about nuclear fission. For my lame brain it is now clear that UAW officials should issue a simple explanation of the way in which their form of GAW. to have some delayed action fea- tures when seniority is con- sidered. This makes it obvious, that if the matter is ever made a mat- ter of negotiations by the lum- ber workers, they will find it necessary to devise their own adaptation to the conditions of the lumber industry. Layoff Payments Properly speaking, plans for GAW that have been already placed in contract form should be known as layoff payments, Canadian workers should also be wary of Government rulings in respect of GAW and Unem- ployment Insurance benefits, else the layoff payment provisions may not be worth the paper they are written on. Taking a superficial view of the text of the UAW agreement with Ford, following are some of the features: In the UAW agreement the plan is described as a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Plan, and is made a matter of contract for three years. Minor changes may SAN FRANCISCO — TAILORS — LOAN MONEY ON Suits, Overcoats, etc. Loggers’ Boots, Sleeping Bags, Suitscases, Radios, Watches and’ Rings Expert Watch Repairing UNREDEEMED Suits and Caulk Boots For Sale MAIL ORDER 52 West Hastings Street VANCOUVER, B.C. the light beer that really refreshes ! ASK FOR THE HANDY | PACK OF 12 The light beer for leisure hours. Tops in taste . at party times. ENTERPRISE BREWERY LIMITED © .. and truly wonderful be made by mutual agreement, provided, there is no change in the basic features. Trust funds are established with a qualified bank or trust in- vestment company. In the case of Ford, a special fund is estab- lished for defense workers. The Company pays its contributions into this trust fund or funds. $55 Million The sum of the maximum find- ings of the funds for UAW as at June, 1955, is $55 millions. The maximum funding for each month after June, 1955, is arriv- ed at by a formula which takes into account the number of per- sons on the payroll, and those who have been laid off. Each pay period the Company pays into the trust fund a sum roughly calculated by multiply- ing the number of hours worked by the number of eligible em- ployees by five cents. No Strike Pay An elaborate schedule of con- ditions are set forth in careful legal language as to eligibility for the benefits. Here it will be noticed that the employee is not eligible for any supplemental payments if his layoff is for dis- ciplinary reasons or because of strike action. Other conditions provide that the trust fund appropriate for the week must be 4% or more, and that the benefit computed under the plan must be at least $2.00. Credit units are determined, merely for the purposes of de- termining duration of benefits. but one condition is that the employee must have at least one- quarter credit unit to his credit before benefits are paid. No em- ployee may have more than 26 credit units to his credit at any one time. Then the agreement states: One Year’s Seniority “No employee shall be credited with any credit unit prior to the first day as of which he (I) has at least one year of seniority, and (II) is on the active employment rolls in the contract unit (or was on such rolls within 30 days prior to such first day); but as of such day he shall be credited with credit units based upon his full work weeks after June 1, 1955, and subsequent to his seniority date.” “For work weeks commencing between June 1, 1955, and May 81, 1957, both inclusive, credit units shall be credited to employ- ees with less than 10 years of seniority at the rate of one- quarter of a unit for each full work week, and to employees with 10 or more years’ seniority at the rate of one-half a unit for each full work week.” An employee may forfeit all credit units if he should incur a break in his seniority, or if found guilty of misrepresentation, or if the layoff is for mgre than 18 months continuously. Special Benefits When entitlement is establish- ed for benefits these are paid first as a special benefit for four weeks, and then as the regular benefit. 3 The proviso is made that the trust fund shall first have reach- ed 49% for the first time, other- wise the applicant does not re- ceive the benefit for more than four weeks in any one year. When the fund reaches 49%, the special benefit may not exceed more than eight years in any one year. The special benefit shall be the lesser of (1) an amount which, when added to the applicant’s state benefit, and other compen- sation for such week, will equal 65% of his weekly wage after tax straight time Ford wage or (2) $25. Regular Benefit The regular benefit for any week shall be the lesser of an amount which, when added to the applicant’s state benefit and other compensation for-the week, will equal 60% of his weekly after- tax straight time Ford wage... or $25.00. If the trust fund runs low, the benefits may be réduced by 20%. Credit units are cancelled as benefits are paid in accordance with the following table, estab- lishing conditions relating to the state of the trust fund and the ‘seniority of the applicant. It is stated in the agreement that the purpose of the plan is to supplement state system unem- ployment benefits, to the levels set forth, and not to replace or duplicate them. All of which leads me to say that before. too much is said about GAW in the lumber indus- try, IWA officials have consider- able homework to do on a very complex subject. They’ll have headaches aplenty, too. And if the senlority of the person to whom such Benefit is pald is: ‘ If the Trust Funa CAP e rats ae Position applicable ge eteoth) poboase seymoeng to the week: for 2 25 96 $8 $8 23 5 Which Benefit 1s ; z pald int : Sijaemecar Shae ag i The Credit Units cancelled for such Benefit shall be: 85% or over 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 70-84.90% 111 1.00 1.00 67-75.99%, 125° 131 1.00 58-06.99%% das 1125 x00 49-57.09%% a7 1143 1.00 40-48.99%, 2.00 1.07 1.00 31-29.997% 250 2100 131 22°30.90%6_ S33 2:50 125 BBL 0055 1593 Bas 143 Under 4% Meno Be vat New! 150 ROOMS, Make the New address, and get Your Patronage ee er arer nr ths Lig Te rT eee gO Special Rates for Loggers Tew Hilton Hotel 50 WEST CORDOVA STREET VANCOUVER, B.C. ENTIRELY REDECORATED AND ALL WITH HOT AND COLD WATER. - New! Loggers’ Postal Redirection Service 24 Hour-a-day clerk will redirect your mail. Hilton Hotel your regular mailing PRIVATELY OWNED AND OPERATED New! spanxune corte suop. the ALL your mail PROMPTLY, Is Appreciated!