B.C. LUMBER WORKER FOCAL 1-71 SIGNPOSTS on a highway serve the useful pur- pose of enabling the traveller to determine the direction and distance of his progress. In much the same way, the growth of a Union is marked by achievements which can be measured as exist- ing in concrete form. When we speak of a mile- stone in the progress of a Union, we speak of that which indicates distance won toward a goal. The announcement that Local 1-71 has passed the 5000-membership mark is such a milestone. It denotes a substantial degree of progress, follow- ing eight years of dogged and arduous effort. It also tells the story, that the Local Union has been directing its energies in the right direction. Growth in membership is at the same time growth in the confidence placed in the Local Union by those represented. The only substantial basis for confidence in a Union is the service rendered to the membership, and its ability to express clearly the will of the membership. The trade union brotherhood is ser- vice in action, and is thus more than an empty | though pious hope. Although this publication hastens to congratu- late Local 1-71, IWA, on its five thousandth mem- ber, ‘the occasion also demands something more than good wishes. This is an opportune moment to observe and comment on those qualities which have in this instance made for successful trade union organization. In the Loggers’ Local we find a prime example of the truth that trade union democracy is essen- tial to trade union vitality. The membership in 1948 and 1949 repudiated all attempts to fasten any form of outside domination upon the admin- istration of their affairs. At the same time, they have steadily intro- duced a democratic form of administration adapted to the peculiar circumstances of organiza- tion in scattered camps. Outstanding features in this regard are, first, the decentralization of organization in camp sub- locals and committees, and second, the annual De- cember convention, with direct representation from the camps. Another indispensable element for the success- ful building of a Local Union is attention to the needs of the membership. This element is promi- nent in the success story of Local 1-71. Each set of negotiations has found the Local Union’s rep- resentatives fighting for and gaining some meas- ure of benefit to meet the special needs of the loggers. Between the negotiating periods faithful at- tention has been given to the adjustment of griev- ances, whether of the individual, or the whole. crew. This constant policing of the contract has been responsible in a major degree for a vast improvement in camp conditions. A third factor is attention to safety. In the early days of the industry, loggers as well as the employers accepted the tradition of recklessness with life and limb. Now, the union, and management, with some- what different motives, but with a common pur- pose, join in the conservation of life and limb. Loggers are no longer regarded as expendable. There are many other factors, contributing to this success, but one should not be overlooked. It is the use of facilities developed by the Union for education in the conduct of trade union affairs. An enlightened membership is a strong and militant membership. The militancy and loyalty which the organized loggers have always con- tributed to the IWA is an outgrowth of their clear understanding of the why and wherefore of trade union solidarity. The Editor: In a recent publication of the Lumber Worker, I was very in- terested in an article concerning health insurance, the M.S.A. pol- icy to be exact. Study Facts There was considerable refer- ence to the M.S.A. being entirely non-profit, which is not entirely true, if you would take time to study the facts, I would not for a moment argue the fact, that this organization has not filled a use- ful purpose. However, the appar- ent willingness of the Lumber Worker to support the principle of credit unions makes the officers of this and other organizations most happy. May we extend our appreciation as labor unionists for your interest and support. There is one part of credit C.U. PLAN PRAISED union organization that deserves attention in being truly non-profit and that is the Credit Union and Co-operative Health Insurance. Which in your opinion offers the best coverage to be had in group or individual plans in the insur- ance field. Doctor Kickbacks For one thing, the policy of this association is, if a surplus shows in operations, then it is utilized in additional benefits, not kick- backs to employers or doctors. I am quite sure the Credit Union League would be most pleased to offer any further in- formation you may desire, if you would drop them a line, or phone. Harold Turner, president, Alberni District Credit Union. The Editor: This letter is to express the thanks of this Union for the man- ner in which Secretary Jake Epps of Local 1-363, IWA, at Court- enay, has assisted us in our strike. The following is a resume of the circumstances leading up to the présent situation: We have been in negotiations for over 10 months with certain firms in Courtenay and have gone through the usual channels of conciliation but to no avail. The operators would not even accept the Con- ciliation Board’s findings, so -we had no recourse but to take strike action. : Thanks To 1-363 No Union Security The present journeyman mie- chanics’ rate there is $1.80 per hour with NO Union Security and only five paid statutory holi- days. It is evident from the fore- going that the members’ action is more than justified. I might state that the picket line we have around each of these four firms is a legal picket line. Once again I wish to thank you for your past actions and any futuré assistance which would help us to settle would be greatly appreciated. = Yours fraternally, Business Representative. J. Chapman, WASHINGTON (CPA) — Nearly 61,000 union locals are affiliated with the AFL - CIO, according to a recent report on the structure of the new 15,- 000,000 labor body. The 139 national and interna- tional unions, which comprise the AFL-CIO, together have more than 60,000 local unions. There are also a further 800 directly- chartered AFL-CIO locals, Many of the national and inter- national unions are affiliated with the special trade and industrial departments of the organizations. These six departments cover the fields of building, industrial or- ganization, maritime activities, the metal trades, the railways and the union label and service trades, Count Surprises OTTAWA (CPA) — An ad- mission that it has cost the tax- payer about $30,000 to train each officer cadet planning a career in Canada’s armed serv- ices has been drawn from De- fense Minister Campney by H. W. Herridge (CCF-Kootenay West). Herridge, a World War I vet- eran, questioned the minister during the discussion in Parlia- ment of the current defense esti- mates. He cited official returns showing that 99 cadets entered service training colleges in 1954 and the cost of operating the col- leges was $3,438,673, The train- ing of 188 cadets the following year cost $4,086,458 while esti- mates for 1956 show the entry of 174 cadets with expenses esti- mated at $4,515,336. The CCF member said that from quick calculation it ap- peared that the training cost per cadet was about $80,000. “I think the figure is approximately cor- rect,” said Mr. Campney. The minister suggested that the expenses of training had in- creased in recent yéars and that once the training colleges get “in- to their stride”, an increased number of cadets can be trained at little extra cost. < First girl: “I hear you said yes to Joe. Did he happen to mention that he proposed to me first?” Second girl: “Not specifically. But he did say he had done a lot of foolish things before he met me.” soe 8 “Your wife used to be awfully nervous. What cured her?” “The doctor told her it was caused by advancing age.” rows Crown Rr > fv *& Seagrams V.O. o ) This advertisement is not published or displayed by the Liquor Control Board or by the Governmer..sof British Columbia.