Bic, LUMBER WORKER 2nd Issue, October “MERGER OPENS NEW ERA” .-. - Morris “Decision to merge with the Trades and Labor Con- gress, reached unanimously at the recent convention of the Canadian Congress of Labor, completed the first phase of Jabor unity in Canada, as it affirmed the similar decision reached earlier by the TLC.” “This marks the opening of a new era in the affairs of Canadian workers, offering tremendous possibilities in their achievement of adequate living and working stand- ards.” In the above manner, District President Joe Morris summed up his impressions of the most signi- ficant decision made by the re- cent CCL convention, in his re- port to the Union upon return to Vancouver, The Real Purpose The IWA official reiterated his former statement, in which he had urged the close examination of all steps toward unity in order that its real purpose might be adequately served, This he de- clared to be the expanding wel- fare of the masses of the work- ers, organized and unorganized. All other considerations should be regarded as secondary, he stated, and no glittering generali- ties or slogans, should blind trade unionists to the necessity of building the new union struc- ture with painstaking care and unselfish purpose. When interviewed by the B.C. Lumber Worker, the District President agreed to answer spe- eifie questions, in order to ans- wer directly those questions most frequently asked by members of the IWA, The question and answer inter- view which followed is reported below that readers of the B.C. Lumber Worker may more easily piece together the actual trend of convention decisions, Reporter: What were your impressions of the convention proceedings, generally? Morris: In many ways it was an unusual occasion, partly be- cause of the nature of the deci- sions made, but also because of the background and size of the assembly itself. The delegates undertook their work with the knowledge that it was the last convention of the Canadian Con- gress of Labor. This stirred mem- ories of the achievements of the CCL since 1940, and it was ob- vious that many felt some senti- mental regret at the passing of the CCL, because of its great work on behalf of the unorgan- ized in the mass production in- dustries. This was compensated for, however, by a great confi- dence, that labor unity will open up an even more important per- iod in labor’s progress upward, The press reported our conven- tion as being the largest labor assembly yet seen in Canada. The convention. delegates transacted a large volume of business, with brisk efficiency, and gave first attention to the issues which are of paramount importance to the workers. Reporter: What part did the IWA delegation play in the proceedings? Morris: Just prior to the open- ing of the Convention, the IWA delegates met in the usual East- West conference, with about seventy-five in attendance. At that time we heartily endorsed the merger plan, and expressed that support on the floor of the convention. District 2nd Vice- President Stuart Hodgson served on the Officers’ Report Commit- G THE WATSONS. LOVES « THEY MADE IT A GOOD DAY SPECIAI ITTEE members, Local 1-357 IWA, New West inster, who supervised the successful fi: iS derby held this year at Haney Bar, and which attracted a record-breaking crowd. (From left) Harold Hall, Lee Palmer, Rae Eddie, Jimmy Abrams, Dan McBride, Joe Madden, President. tee, of which George Home, Sec- retary of the B.C. Federation of Labor, was Chairman. I was named to the Resolutions Com- mittee. Harvey Ladd, the Eastern Canadian Director of the IWA was elected to the national Ex- ecutive Committee. I would say that our IWA delegation in all respects made a worthwhile con- tribution to the convention’s ac- ities. Reporter: What was the evi- dence that the pending merger has the whole-hearted support of the Canadian unions? Morris: The resolution, submit- ted by George Home, proposing endorsation of the. merger plan was carried with enthusiasm and unanimity. The following day, we heard from President Claude Jo- doin, of the Trades and Labor Council, and tendered him a rous- ing ovation. He assured us that the sentiment throughout the TLC unions was equally as un- animous, and that the obstacles to unity, once considered insur- mountable, had melted away. The Officers’ Report Commit- tee also considered a great many HUB HUMOR “Let'sh Shend for another dog!” You'll never get stuck when you buy ot THE HUB, Our cus- tomers like the way we do busi- ness because we do our level best to satisfy them. See our new lines of Men’s and Young 45 EAST HASTINGS resolutions from the Local Unions, all of which revealed a very earnest resolve to accom- plish organic unity. Reporter: What is the next step? Morris: The joint committee which prepared the statement of principles will now proceed with the drafting of a constitution for ratification by the merged body to be known as the Canadian Labor Congress. This will be sub- mitted to the first joint Con- gress April 23rd, 1956. Reporter: What are the ex- pectations regarding that gath- ering? Morri The officials expect that it will be the most signifi- cant, and probably the largest gathering yet seen in Canada. The anticipated attendance is 2000 or more. Our 900 delegates packed the auditorium of the Royal York Hotel this month, so the next convention has been booked into the largest available auditorium, the Coliseum, Tor- onto. This convention will final- ize organic unity of the two national bodies. Reporter: What immediate results do you predict as a re- sult of the merger? Morris: It is obvious that the union of the two Congresses will enable the organized workers to wield a greater influence upon governments for better social se- curity legislation, and a labor See “MERGER”, Page 12 teeta tetetstestatatatspaje tay) Printers of ft The B.C. LUMBER WORKER a | a q F F a a a a cI a LIMITED PRINTERS AND LITHOGRAPHERS An Employee Owned Co. 944 RICHARDS STREET PAciflc 6338-9 SANDWICH WHITE BREAD RATION Sliced pry