Sealaiesta ici Sotoamalieiel Woednoslors of Amaica Diverct Coeael Hab Vol. XXII, No. 17 <> * Ist isSuE, sePT. 1955 - VANCOUVER, B.C. eS 5c PER COPY IWA ORDERS | MERGER VOTE Significant changes in the IWA Constitution approved at the 18th and 19th IWA International Convention re- cently held in Milwaukee, as the Union agreed to enter the AFL-CIO merger, and move toward organic unity in the woodworking industry, were outlined by District President Joe Morris in his report to the District mem- bership. Speaking with pride in the growing strength registered at the Convention by District No. 1, now authorized to .speak for 82,000 members, he said, in part: “Tt is only when we attend one of our International Conventions, that we fully appreciate the ex- tent and number of the localities served by our Union, and its re- markable strength, based on a diversity of woodworking opera- tions scattered throughout the States of the Union and the Pro- vinces in Canada. Z At the Milwaukee Convention we sat in discussion with dele- gates from the Deep South as well as those from Alaska. The men from British Columbia found much in ¢ommon with workers from the fir belt in Washington and Oregon, for they work under much the same conditions, and process the same types of pro- ducts. . Representative Assembly Loggers and sawmill workers, whether they worked with fir, spruce, pine or in the redwoods, plywood.or shingles, found common cause. It was a convincing demonstration of the manner in which the IWA has united in one organization all workers engaged in woodworking processes from the stump to the finished product throughout all the main lumbering centres on this continent. It also furnished proof that the IWA is truly an International Union, and is in fact a true industrial union. _ We found as the Conyention got under way that the in- creased size of the assembly, its fully representative char- acter, and the official reports, all provided evidence, that the Union is growing in member- ship strength, administrative efficiency, and influence. ‘The audited statements which accompanied the Officers’ Re- port also indicated that the financial position of the IWA has improved substantially dur- ing the past two years. B.C. Set Record - Our representation from Bri- tish Columbia was the largest from any single district, and, be- cause of our increased member- ship in the Province, our delega- tion had the record numerical strength of ninety-five. The num- ber of delegates attending the all- Canadian caucus was one hun- dred and twenty-five. While we may properly express pride, over this evidence of growth in B.C., it would be quite inaccurate to say that the B.C. delegates attempted to dominate the proceedings with their strength as a bloc. I mention it here, only because it is concrete evidence of progress in our own District, and because it placed on the B.C. delegates an in- creased degree of responsibility for policy decisions on behalf of the IWA. It is, of course, the policy of this District to consider all questions from the standpoint of the welfare of the Union as a whole. One impression which remains in my mind, as it must in the minds of the other delegates, is that the effort was made to transact an enormous volume of vitally important business. Two years’ work was compressed into one, on this occasion, because of the postponement of the 1954 Convention. It was only by dint of strenuous application that the agenda was completed. For the same reason, it will be quite im- possible for me to give a full re- port on this occasion. I can only deal with some of the decisions, which I believe are of immediate interest to our ~membership in this’ Province. Merger Approved Perhaps the most significant decision was the approval given the merger between the Ameri- can Federation of Labour and the Congress of Industrial Organiza- tions. This approval took the form of authorization to submit a referendum ballot to the mem- bership for its approval or dis- approval of affiliation to the new merged organization, the Ameri- can Federation of Labour and the Congress of Industrial Labour Organizations, and, in Canada, to the united Canadian Labour Con- gress. If the members of the Union approve both these mergers, the See “MERGER” Page 9 VOTE ENDS OCT. 25 Balloting in the member- ship referendum to elect IWA International Officers and deal with proposed con- stitutional amendments must be completed and postmarked not later than October 25, it was stated by Balloting Committee member Cyril Walker, on a recent visit to TRADE UNION QUIZ What CIO Union calls its Jabel a “bug” and was or- ganized as a secret fishing society? (For Answer, see page 12) 1-405 OUSTS — W.1.U.C. Announcement was made this week by the IWA Dis- trict Officers that certifica- tion had been granted to the IWA for employees of the logging and sawmill opera- tions of the Kootenay Spruce Co. Ltd., near Cranbrook. This is a further gain from the WIUC, and is regarded by many as another indica- tion of the landslide toward the IWA. More than 100 employees are involved. Other applica- tions for certification are pending, which may easily see the end of the WIUC in the area, it is predicted by IWA men on the ground. BOTKIN EXPLAINS CHANGES Arrangements for the] membership referendum in District 1 to elect the IWA International Officers, and to}. decide upon proposed consti tutional amendments were]; set in motion this week upon arrival in Vancouver of In- ternational Secretary-Treas- urer William Botkin, and Balloting Committee mem- ber “Cy” Walker. The ballot issued to all Local Unions, presented a formidable appearance, as in addition to the names of the contesting candid- ates, sixteen amendments are submitted for the membership decision. (A facsimile of the bal- lot appears elsewhere in this issue). A decision required from IWA members, which will have historic significance is that which asks approval of the proposed mergers in Canada and the United States. Voting must be completed by October 25th, and ballots bearing a postmark of a later date will be rejected. The intention of the major changes proposed in the constitu- tion were discussed by the Inter- national Secretary, when he spoke on the Green Gold radio program. He said in part. Convention Amendments “Having regard to the opinion expressed in District I prior to the convention, I would say that a most significant constitutional amendment, now proposed, is that See “BOTKIN” Page 9 if 7.00 p.m, 4 CANW 7:05 pn. Sat, CJAV 630 p.m, Thr ) Thursday 3 CKPG - Ist and 3rd Thursday- 6 p.m. CANDIDATES FOR ~-IWA. TOP OFFICES For President Ms aS: A. F. Hartung For Ist Vice-President J. E. (Red) Fadling 7 4 d | J. E. (Jim) Claude Ballard For International Secretary- Treasurer Candidates’ Trade Union Biographies Pages 2-3 William Botkin