. as, ae B.C. LUMBER WORKER 2nd Issue, September _ From Page 2 ‘AUTOMATION bad-is a matter to be settled else- where. I believe that too much of the drudgery in homes today is needless and unhealthy. At the moment I wish to stress that au- tomated homes are now within our reach, if we so determine, If we decide to make it possible to modernize our homes, we may then for many years absorb a large part of the increased pro- duction of useful and needed commodities made possible by au- tomation in the factory, In mak- ing our homes better and safer places in which to live and work, we will provide one of the answers for the problems of over- production now puzzling econom- ists dealing with automation, and its consequences, Joint Survey Urged “We urge that under the lead- ership of the Federal Govern- ment, management and labor should join in a survey of pend- ing changes in production meth- ods, with the object of planning the introduction of automation with the least possible disloca- tion of employment. This survey should envisage an equitable dis- tribution of the increased output of the industrial machine, and en- sure continued employment for workers displaced by automation or the re-location of automated industries. “Matters which should be con- sidered jointly by government, management and labor are as fol- lows: " Labor’s Program Legislative provision, paving the way for the stabilization _of wage income by such means as the guaranteed annual wage Call TA. 1121 for FREE HOME DELIVERY “Also Brewers and Bottlers of > Rainier Beer and Slt Sie Spring Stout. This advertisement is not published or displayed by the Liquor Control ecu pepe eny comes} Since ee fea ‘ AMALGAMATED LITHOGRAPHERS OF AMERICA—Fifth biennial Pacific Re; Sept. 21, 22, 23. Group are from left: seated, Geor; ald W. Stone, International Secretary mal Conference at the Hotel Devonshire, Vancouver, ‘ge A. Canary, International President; F. P. Slater, International Vice-President; Don- -Treasurer; Helen Baker, Local Office Secretary. Standing, from left: Al Luitjens, San Diego; Lloyd Teeters, Portland; Eric Carlson, International Representative; Walter Jacobson, Seattle; Theodore Brandt, Los Angeles; Earl Kinney, Vancouver; I. T. Brandenburg, International Councillor; James Kerr, San Francisco; Ace Burnett, International Representative. and progressive increases in.such income. We suggest that automa- tion will break down unless such provisions are made. We will be producing- more in a shorter period of time, but as yet we have no guarantee that the worker will get a-rightful share of the in- creased productivity, “To plan for vastly increased productivity without a planned concept for its consumption will make our economic position dan- gerous. Our present insecurities may become greater, and in- creased leisure may easily become a curse instead of a blessing. Reduction of the hours of work, without reduction of in- come, is an obvious step to make, in order to spread the available employment among the maximum number of workers. This reduc- tion in the hours of work should be planned to keep pace with in- creased productivity. “Tt will be the responsibility of educators to prepare for shorter working hours. People should be | 7 trained to use their leisure time more“ judiciously. Opportunities should be opened up for the pur- suit of cultural advantages, with all possible inducements for such cultural progress. “One of the most challenging dangers of automation is that human personalities may tend to become as stereotyped as the fruits of the assembly line. We must now learn to appreciate to the full our great intellectual heritage in poetry, literature, drama, history, and the fine arts in general. Provision to transfer work- ers displaced in any one in- dustry to suitable employment that may be available in other in- dustries. This becomes of special importance when we consider the plight of women office workers. Payment of severance pay to displaced workers, wherever necessary. Re-training of displaced workers when this can suc- cessfully be carried out. Planning of the re-location of automated industries in such manner as to avoid ghost towns and. distressed areas, or alterna- tively, assistance for the move- ment of workers and their fam- ilies to areas of expanding em- ployment, Lowering of the qualifying age for old age pensions, with increased financial provision for the older workers who will be displaced and cannot be re- trained. 4 Opportunities for consulta- tion between labor and man- agement to enable contract ar- yangements which will keep any dislocation to a minimum. LABOR SCENE”’ BY DAN ILLINGWORTH REGULARLY IN The - Province 100% UNION PRODUCED BY VANCOUVER MEN AND WOMEN Improved and “more general technical education for young people according to their apti- tudes, and without regard to their financial circumstances, “It is no exaggeration to say that between a third and one-half of our future working force will have to be skilled. Vocational schools and academic schools can perform an invaluable function for our young people by giving them a broader general educa- tional base, and the adaptability they will need. Schools must edu- cate, but industry must train. It is for this reason that we urge the establishment of joint train- ing pools, to which all industries may contribute, and from which all may draw. 10 The introduction of a pro- gram of job evaluation which will ensure an equitable and upward revision of wage rates commensurate with the new skills and responsibilities de- manded of workers placed in charge of electronic controls and maintenance, and to provide the increased purchasing power for the utilization of the ,increased output of goods. “We should all remember that we have fashioned the greatness of our civilization by doing what men of little faith said was im- possible. We can meet the chal- lenge. of automation, we can translate its possibilities into the betterment of the lives of our people here and in the world at large. I would like to leave this thought with you, that if we are to do so, it will take some practi- cal down-to-earth sensible action on the part of all of us.” FUNDS LIMIT URGED WASHINGTON (CPA) —. Walter P. Reuther, ATL-CIO vice-president and president of the United Auto Workers, urged a $65 ceiling on political contri- butions in a statement to the Senate Special Committee In- vestigating Lobbying. As a part of a plan to keep money from haying too great an influence on elections, Reuther also proposed five amendments to election laws including providing free ‘T'V and radio time and mail- ing privileges for candidates. Political Action Reuther urged Congress to strengthen American democracy “by broadening the base of politi- cal action through the small con- tributions of a large number of people in place of the present sys- tems of campaign funds which relies upon wealthy families, in- dividuals and special interests to meet the greater part of the cost.” He explained, “we believe it is of vital importance in this elec- tion year, as well as for the fu- ture of free elections for America that we make major, and even radical, changes in the present out-dated statutory provision for the prevention of corruption and disproportionate influence in fed- eral elections.” WATSONS * GLOVES « Union Made for Union Trade Insist on -WATSON’S LEATHER GLOVES THE ONLY LEATHER WORK GLOVES UNION MADE IN B.C. 2 JOHN WATSON LTD. 127 EAST 2nd AVE. VANCOUVER, B.C. : : s ee