B.C. LUMBER WORKER andi we The Merger JN THIS issue, fhe B.C. Lumber Worker on be- half of the IWA salutes the newly-merged B.C. Federation of Labour, and extends all good wishes for the success of an organization which was launched at last weekend’s convention with ‘an irreproachable trade union solidarity. Trade unionists in British Columbia have now given reality to their vision of a unified organiza- tion for united action on behalf of B.C. workers. The merger in British Columbia is now complete at the provincial and local levels. It is also appropriate at this time to congratu- late the delegates in attendance at the convention which ratified the merger plans. The spirit with which they tackled a complex problem was truly co-operative, and obviously motivated by the very earnest desire to serve the welfare of the workers, both in terms of organic unity, and in terms of bet- ter standards of social and economic welfare. It is noteworthy that, when the details of the new constitution were ironed out, that the dele- gates shaped an impressive legislative program, touching upon all aspects of the workers’ living and working conditions. 5 Congratulations are also in order for the [WA delegates in attendance. Although conscious that they represented the largest and most powerful union in the province, they made no attempt to dominate the scene. Their contribution to the de- bates was focussed on trade union objectives rather than the prestige of the Union. The results upheld the truism that the best way to build the prestige of a trade union and put quality into its effort, is to serve the common good with single- -Ness of purpose. Now that the provincial merger has been given concrete shape, the IWA may well pause again to appraise the gains accruing to the Union by reason of its loyal support for the merger. Immediately it will be seen that every single objective declared by the IWA will be the more easily attained by reason of a unified provincial or- ganization for the trade unions. The IWA is seeking better wages and working conditions. The existence of a strong and unified Federa- tion will make possible further legislative protec- tion required for the Union’s bargaining. It is also clear, that in any critical struggle, the Union’s re- sources will be supplemented, if necessary, from those held by a much larger circle of close allies. a The IWA is working for better labor legisla- ion. ‘ It is in this field that the expanded influence of the trade union central body made possible by the merger will be most effective. The Federa- tion's role in future will enable labor to speak with one voice at the provincial capital. The political potential of the Federation cannot be ignored by whatever political party may hold the reins of power. The IWA is vitally interested in the organiza- tion of the unorganized. Here, again, the Federation, as the instrument of all the unions, will further the aims of the IWA. Elsewhere, the merger has provided a tremendous impetus to organization. It is also clear, that under prevailing conditions in B. C., there are many un- organized areas, where the initial effort can be best made by the type of combined effort made possible by the Federation. It assures that this work will not be retarded by jurisdictional dis- putes. It will raise the morale of the workers everywhere. The IWA hails the merger in the province as a * great advance in the affairs of the provincial la- bor movement. The convention was an historic and momentous occasion for this reason. In the man- ner of approach, and in the results attained, this assembly of B. C. trade unionists has justly earned the gratitude of B. C. workers—those outside the movement, as well as inside. WAGE CUTS IMPOSED Appearing below is a copy of an ultimatum served on the employees of the Port Orford Plywood Co. Ltd., Ore- gon. A few months before the employees had voted “no union”. The same company owns another operation now unionized, by the IWA, where the base rate is $2.00 per hour, plus a number of fringe benefits, instead of $1.20 an UIC Fund Up OTTAWA (CPA) — The Unemployment Insurance Fund had a balance of $864,- 761,166 at the end of July last, the Labor Department reports. The July 1956 bal- ance was considerably great- er than the total of $838,261- 458 a year earlier. hour. : To the Workers of Port Orford Plywood Due to the additional cut in veneer prices recently, we find we cannot continue to operate at our present production costs. We promised to have no fur- ther wage cuts by us, so it now becomes necessary for you to make the decision. Do you want to continue to operate with an additional wage cut of 30c per hour, or should we close down the plant until prices rise? We still have a good supply of orders at the lower prices, possibly due partially to. the closure of some veneer plants. If you vote to continue to op- erate, we could work six days a week, thereby producing more yeneer per week. With a reduc- tion in labor costs, and reduc- ing our overhead costs per thousand feet of veneer by spreading it over the larger production, we believe we could weather the storm: By working a full six days per week (3 seven hour shifts per day) each worker should have a 42-hour week, resulting in 40 hours regular pay and 2 hours overtime. This would make your gross earnings per week very nearly as much as ° ginemen with the CLC total. Canadian Labour Congress AFL-CIO/CLC CLC only ... (affiliated with CLC). Labour organizations ..... TOTAL .. Canadian and Gatholic Confederation o! American Federation of Labor—Congress of Industrial Organizations only. International Railway Brotherhood: Unaffiliated International Unions.. Unaffiliated national, regional and local 1 1-2 Million Now In Labour Congress OTTAWA (CPA)—Latest estimates of Canadian union mem- bership show nearly 1% million Canadians in the ranks of or- ganized labor, according to Labor Department figures. The new totals, which were tabulated following the merger of the Trades and Labor Congress and the Canadian Congress of Labor last April, show just under 75 percent of all unionists in the country affiliated with- the Canadian Labor Congress, The figures below do not include the affiliations of the One Big Union and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and En- ESTIMATED UNION MEMBERSHIP AT MAY, 1956 Branches Members AFL-CIO directly chartered local 5,238, 1,080,000 3,527 821,000 1,662 208,000 49 6,000 432 "101,000 24 1,000 366 44,000 170 81,000 532 94,000 6,762 1,851,000 they are at the present for less hours and no overtime. Pay dif- ferential for swing and graye- yard shifts will be 5¢ above day shift rate, We will not hesitate to raise the pay rates in line with any increase in veneer prices as they come through. Please check your preference below and turn in your vote to your shift foreman. I vote ‘for the wage cut as outlined below. I yote for a plant Advice proffered by Ca- nada’s leading business pa- per, the Financial Post, to unemployed auto, aircraft workers: “Don’t Panic About and agricultural implement Layoffs. They Don’t Result From General Economic Ml- ness.” “My car was stolen yesterday.” “Did you get a look at the guy who stole it?” “No, but I got his license num- ber.” 127 EAST 2nd AVE. WATSONS * GLOVES « THE WEAR IS THERE PSHE WEAR IS THERE | Union Made for Union Trade Insist on WATSON’S LEATHER GLOVES THE ONLY LEATHER WORK GLOVES UNION MADE IN B.C. JOHN WATSON LTD.