B.C. LUMBER WORKER Delegates attending the Annual I y V District Convention in Vancouver this week, will face a greater demand for hard work, than celebration, as the Union passes the milestone, which marks its twenty-first anni- versary. = Whether anniversaries always coincide with coming-of-age actualities is an open question in this case. Under the pressure of events, the growth of the IWA accelerated to the point of maturity more rapidly than has been the case with other unions. If a weightier burden of complex problems is a sign of adulthood, the IWA at this stage has quite obviously reached its full stature. The agenda of the convention now in session discloses grave new responsibilities appended to new op- portunities. The question with top priority is the defini- tion of collective bargaining objectives, at the Coast and in the Interior. Because the evidence of an upward trend in business activities has not yet taken definite shape in Canada, the prophets of doom still dominate in management councils. Management’s indifference to an unemployment emergency would seem to indicate that unem- ployment is welcomed by them as a means of chilling enthusiasm for new contract demands. When bargaining strategy is under consider- ation, the [WA convention will have the difficult task of charting a course between unfounded and irresponsible optimism, and a despairing defeat- ism. IWA employers, in concert with other em- ployers, are even now making the preliminary moves necessary to offer rock-bound opposition to all contract demands. For no other reason, the public is hearing the constantly repeated re- frain which places the accent on the ‘‘ruinous consequences of high wages.’ If the employers have their way they will erect more formidable legal obstacles to effective collective bargaining. Already susceptible poli- ticians are being seduced with fair words about. the employers’ right to break strikes. It would be highly improper to suggest what the convention decisions in this respect are likely to be. It is reasonable to assume, however, that an earnest effort will be made to negotiate on the basis of needs demonstrated in experience. For »all these reasons, it is obviously necessary to pre- pare to launch, what is sometimes described as an ‘‘offensive of survival.’’ Certainly, the new strategy must be designed to overcome the em- ployers’ pincer move from two sectors; the economic and the political. It is not mere coincidence that the IWA is now making a diligent effort to strengthen the structure of the International Union. The situa- tion calls for the exercise of greater strength, mobilized and directed with the greatest possible efficiency. When the membership place their stamp of approval on the changes to be first tested by the approaching special international convention, the IWA will have command of fully-modern- ized machinery. ; The developing political offensive on the part of the organized employers will have to be met in the political arena. If governments turn a deaf ear to organized labour’s defence of its rights, the political issue must finally be settled in a battle of ballots. For this reason, the convention will have the delicate problem of deciding how best to serve its existing legislative rights. When this is done, the part of the Union will be to devise ways and means of utilizing organization and education to inform the ranks of the union and the general public with regard to the true intentions of profit-hungry employers. To continue the march of progress, already reported upon, the Union must prepare to fight. However uncomfortable the immediate conse- quences, there can be no retreat from the bar- gaining-table under influence of panic psy- chology. Industry Changes Tax Organization Growth of the IWA within the boundaries of District Council I during the past 21 years closely paralleled equally significant changes in the lumber industry, reported the Dis- trict Officers in a brief summary of relevant industrial trends. It was shown that changes in methods of production and new forms of ownership had placed upon the IWA the responsibility of developing negotiating plans of sufficient flexibility and scope to match the opposing pressures from management's side of the bargain- ing table. Changes noted, which in the past have influenced the Union's policies, and will even more def- initely shape their expansion in the future, are: @ In the past 21 years, the productive capacity of the lum- ber industry has enormously in- creased with a corresponding expansion of the working force. @ Mature timber has been made more accessible, and the capital investment required has correspondingly increased. @ Marked changes in the harvesting and processing of forest products resulting from increased mechanization, better utilization, more improved con- servation, have altered the job content for many thousands of our members and demanded higher standards of skill. @ The trend toward automa- tion in this industry is acceler- ating more rapidly than origin- ally anticipated. The compari- son between the per capita in 1937 and now, is startling. As these trends have developed, quired for a given volume of production, @ Factors such as capital in-- vestment, ability to manage large forest areas and integra- tion of production processes, have concentrated ownership in fewer hands through mergers and interlocking directorates. Employer - employee relation- ships have changed accordingly with a greater measure of con- trol in the hands of absentee investors.” It’s not too difficult to leap out of bed as soon as the first ray of sun touches the window—that is, if your window faces west. New Westminster Lake Cowichan and fewer workers have been re- CREDIT UNION DIRECTORY IWA Credit Unions and other Credit Unions , supported by IWA Local Unions in B.C. Alberni District Credit Union, 209 Argyle Street, Port Alberni IWA 1-217 Savings, Broadway & Quebec Streets, Vancouver 10 IWA (N.W.) Credit Union, Room 21, 774 Columbia Street, Local 1-118, IWA (Victoria), 904 Gordon Street, Victoria Chemainus & District Credit Union, Box 299, Chemainus rict Credit Union, Lake Cowichan, B.C. Courtenay Credit Union, Box 952 Courtenay : Duncan & District Credit Union, Box 1717, Duncan Prince George & District, 1046- 4th Avenue, Princo George Jobless Totals Upped OTTAWA (CPA) — Job ap- plications at Unemployment In- surance Commission offices at January 2 numbered 754,640, ac- cording to Labor Minister Michael Starr. The figure repre- sented an increase of 56,487 over the previous week. It is the highest total since the end of the Second World War. In the House of Commons, T, S. Barnett (CFF — Comox-Al-) berni) seconded by Claude Ellis (CCF—Regina) moved the ad- journment of debate to discuss the “alarming” situation, but his mo- tion was ruled out of order by the speaker after members of the gov- ernment pointed out that an un- employment debate could take place Monday, January 20, on the government’s proposed motion to go into supply. Action Needed Mr. Barnett cited the “need for immediate action to provide em- ployment and alleviate the distress being suffered by a growing num- ber of unemployed Canadians and — their families.” “Who would deny that there is some urgency of discussion in this regard?” CCF leader M. J. Cold- well asked. Morris Named District President Joe Mor- ris has been named to the B.C, Centennial Safety Awards Committee by the Provincial Government it was announced in the Officers’ Report tabled this week im the District Convention.