12 B.C. LUMBER WORKER 2nd Issue, September Burmese Visitors Note B.C. Logging Methods _ Interesting comparisons he- tween lumbering methods in British Columbia and Burma, as well as between conditions for the workers in both coun- tries were examined recently when two Burmese representa- tives conferred with the IWA District Officers, The visitors from Burma were Mr, T. Gywe and Mr. T. Win, both managers of teak plants in BURMESE VISITORS, managers of Rangoon teak mills, vi Rangoon, owned and operated by the Burmese Government. Their visit to the IWA office marked the end of their nation-wide tour of the Canadian forest industry, under the auspices of the Com- monwealth Colombo plan. It was explained that, although Burma has gained complete in- dependence, and is not a member of the British Commonwealth, an exception had been made to en- IWA while touring Canada under Colombo plan to study Canadian forestry methods. (From Jeft) T. Win and T. Gywe. B HUMOR Moke the Hub your head- quarters for UNION MADE work clothes for men... G.W.G. is one of the many famous dependable brands car- ried by the Hub, Ask about FREE CREDIT! “HUp iro 45 EAST HASTINGS able inclusion in the Colombo plan. The tour was undertaken to gain information regarding Canadian “know-how” in forestry opera- tions. Elephants Used Because the cutting of teak is closely supervised, and highly selective, elephants can still be used to advantage in logging op- erations. It was explained that the use of elephants enabled the loggers to protect the less mature growth. Tractors are also used. Teak trees are first marked by the state foresters, and then gir- died. They are allowed to stand on the stump for two years be- fore they are felled. When pro- cessed the logs are completely seasoned. When questioned about the rel- ative hardness of the seasoned log when processed in the mills, |’ the Burmese guests stated that their band saws required, on the average, to be changed four times during the day, as compared to the average twice-a-day change in B.C. mills. The export market for teak is good, they stated, and teak export is now second only to the export of rice from that country. Be- cause of selective logging, they said, their resources of teak are practically inexhaustible. Although the visiting manag- ers are servants of Government Corporations and are virtually civil servants, they informed T Publication date of the next issue of the B.C, LUMBER WORKER is October 4th. Deadline for ad copy is September 27th and for news copy September 28th. ECLoxsesWorven Representing the Organized Loggers and Mill Workers of B.C. PUBLISHED 'TWICH MONTHLY ON THE FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAYS BY. International Woodworkers of America (CIO. District Council No. 1 DISTRICT OFFICERS Srd_Vice-Preside: International Board 3éeiber rTP OMSUPET verve “COU SeoWaiter Allen Address all communications to GEORGE H. MITCHELL, Secretary-Treasurer 45 Kingsway ~ Dickens 6261-2 Vancouver, B.C, Subscription Rates..__._.$1.50 Advertising er annum ‘Representative_—_G. A. Spencer thorized Second Class Mail, Post Office Dept, Ottawa Authorizg/ 00 COPIDS PRINTED IN THIS I88UH their questioners that the govern- ment mills are in direct competi- tion with privately owned mills. The public authority owns the forests, and directs export condi- tions. Living Standards Lower An effort was made to compare wage rates. The visitors were quite frank in stating that the standards of living in Burma were much lower than in Canada. Burma, they explained, is still en- gaged in the restoration of exten- sive war damage. : A logger in Burma, would make at the present rate of ex- change approximately $16.50 per month. An executive in the industry would make approximately $70.00 a month, they added. Mills Unionized The IWA questions’ brought out the fact that the mills are highly unionized and that the problems of labor in Burma are similar to those which obtain in Canadian mills. The workers have the 44-hour week: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a lunch period from 1:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Hach shift has a fifteen- minute break for tea. The Burmese workers are pro- tected by a state social security scheme, with free medical serv- ices and hospitalization. In addition to 14 days “gaz- etted leave” they are allowed 10 days casual leave, and one month sick leave. In Burma they have secured 14 paid statutory holi- days, The system of education has been revamped. since independ- ence, with provision which now extends free educational facilities up to and including university. EXPELLED MONTGOMERY, Ala. (CPA) — The leader of a new Southern labor group fostering segregation and racial discrim- ination was expelled last week from his local union. The action was taken by Mont- gomery Local 432 of the Brother- hood of Painters, Paper Hangers and Decorators of America against Elmer B. Brock of Bir- mingham, permanent chairman of the new Southern Federation of Labor, Brock was charged with organ- izing an independent union in op- position*to the AFL-CIO, prom- oting secession from the AFL- CIO and dual affiliation in belong- ing to the Southern Federation while a member of Local 432. Items of Interest To Labor In Capsule Form NRLB Merger Ruling WASHINGTON—The National Labor Relations Board ruled that when two unions unite, their merger does not cancel out any previous Board rulings applying to locals of the two organizations. pea See Hotel Employées Win Gains TORONTO—A new two-year contract package worth 10%;c an hour was won by members of the Hotel Employees union working for the CPR at the Royal York Hotel. The settlement headed off a threat by the 1,300 employees that they would strike during the Canadian National Exhibition to enforce contract demands. Eta, er as ICFTU Plans New Courses BRUSSELS—The ICFTU announced plans to train students from affiliated organizations in the practice of international unionism at its headquarters here. The courses, of three months duration, are to be aimed initially at unionists from underdeveloped countries. Care Sosa 3 179,300 Canadians Unemployed OTTAWA—With employment in Canada at an all-time high dur- ing July, the National Employment Service reported 179,300 appli- cations for employment on hand at mid-month, PR 6 taf AFL-CIO Council Recommends Dems FOREST PARK, Pa. — The AFL-CIO executive council recom- mended membership of its 15,000,000-member organization to sup- port the Democratic presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the November elections. It also issued warnings to three affiliates in respect of unethical practices in connection with union welfare funds. Oe RUC Montreal Pensioners Suffering MONTREAL—Old age pensioners trying to live in Montreal on the federal pension of $40 a month are suffering from malnutrition, the Montreal Council of Social Agencies declared. A survey showed that $70.82 was needed for a single pensioner living alone. The Cou.. cil asked for a supplementary pension from the province. chee toes DBS Population Figures OTTAWA—A study of Canada’s population growth during the last 100 years has shown that over 95% of the country’s increase has been due to natural increase, DBS announced. eek ES Labor Seeks Health Plan LONDON—CLC Secretary-Treasurer stated that organized labor will not rest until a national health plan was established in Canada and that the CLC would co-operate with any group to provide effec- tive welfare services in this country. On the heels of his announce- ment a public opinion poll showed that support for a government- operated hospital plan was supported by 72% compared with only 62% in April. Roe eam Marchand Denies Rumors MONTREAL — Jean Marchand, secretary-general of the Cana- dian and Catholic Confederation of Labor stated that although the CCCL had formed a committee which had met with CLC officers last spring to discuss affiliation, there had never been any question of a merger between the two labor bodies. His statement was made in reply to a press report stating that the CCCL would affiliate with the national labor body. pe ka oe ICFTU Condemns Franco BRUSSELS—The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions issued a_strongly-worded condemnation of the anti-labor practices of the Franco government of Spain. The ICFTU said that the government-inspired lockout of 40,000 Spanish workers was a violation of human rights. Federal Health Plan OTTAWA—Health Minister Martin announced that Alberta had accepted, in principle, the federal hospitalization plan proposals. 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