LUMBER WORKER GUEST SPEAKER ot the wind-up banquet held for trade union students and Labour Institute, January 26th, was Alan Thomas, of the Uniyersity of B.C. Extension Department. ives follo: g the Nanaimo IWA Organization Makes Big Strides Organizational coverage is now almost complete in the coastal region, it was claimed in the District Officers’ Re- port submitted this week to the delegates attending the 21st Annual District Conven- tion. Marked progress in the Interior and some parts of Alberta was also recorded. The long-predicted demise of the WIUC was given an obituary notice. The final di of this re- manant of the organization that once challenged the traditions of the IWA in 1948 were extended somewhat, it was suggested, by aid and comfort extended to the Communist-controlled — organiza- tion by the Lumber and Sawmill Workers, On these points, stated:— Organization In the Coastal area, the burden of maintaining and expanding or- ganization has rested almost en- tirely on the local unions. All local unions have reported new certi- fications, mainly those of new operations with small crews. No International Organizer has been assigned to this area, as any special assistance required could be provided through the District or- ganization, Special problems in the report the area under the jurisdiction of Local 1-405 have required special part- time aid from the International staff in addition to the full-time assignment of one International Organizer to that area. WIUC One such problem was that caused by the attempt made by the lumber and sawmill workers to take over operations formerly certified to the W.I.U.C. As re- ported last year, the workers in all but a few small operations had sought afiliation with the I.W.A. In the few remaining small opera- tions, the rival union opposed I.W.A, certification and, in some instances, was aided by the em- ployers and the former W.I.U.C. officials. The net result has been that the I.W.A. has been certi- fied in the largest of the remaining operations, and the W.I.U.C. is now completely out of existence In the area adjacent to the Arrow Lakes, a number of opera- tions, controlled by the Celgar Development Company, Castlegar, have been organized by the I.W.A Application for a blanket certi- fication which has been contested by the Company, and several other unions, is now before the Labour Relations Board for decision. Or- ganization has been extended into a number of logging camps in the yicinity of Nelson. Eastward Progress District Council staff members have assisted in the consolidation and expansion of organization throughout the Kelowna and Sal- mon Arm areas, where an Inter- national Organizer has been sta- tioned. Considerable progress has been made in extending I.W.A. organization in and around Revel- stoke. Your officers are of the opinion that the results achieved have fully ified this organizing effort, as three lo unions are in a all healthy position and are reporting increased member- 1-405 increased its over 50% last year. Northern Sections Local 1-424, in the Northern In- terior, has steadily expanded its organizational coverage, despite the adverse effects of lay-offs in spruce operations. The organiza- tional work in that area has been assumed entirely by the local union. In northern Alberta, persistent attention to organizational require- ments has been necessary. An International Organizer is sta- tioned at Edmonton. ‘The District ubstantially ship. Local membership by Council has also made arrange- ments to pay the salary of a Local Union Officér, with the Local ying his expenses in order “the organizational cam- paign now under way. Top-Level Talks Bring Unity Prospects Close Strong hint that top-level talks with other unions in the fore: st products industry may soon require consideration by the membership of closér working relationships was found in the District Officers’ report to the Annual District Con- vention thi will cons: Tt is suggested that delegates from District 1 have already agreed in principle on changes to be written into the Constitution, and that details relating to admin- istration will be hammered out in Portland, when the whole union is in conclave, The report stated; “The questions of proposed amendments to the International Constitution and changes in the administrative structure of the In- ternational Union referred to a special committee by the 1957 Tnternational Convention, has re- ceived careful consideration on the week, Special International Convention in March ider necessary structural changes. part of the District Executive Board, and the local unions, “It was most gratifying that at a Delegate District Conference held in advance of the Interna- tional Convention, complete unan- imity was reached as to the poli- cies to be advocated by. District No, 1. “This strengthened the position taken by District No. 1 delegates at the International Convention, A thoroughly representative and competent International Commit- tee was assigned the task of pre- paring recommendations for the consideration of a special conven- tion ‘now scheduled to be held commencing March 24th. “This Committee has held fre- quent sessions over the last three months and has required the at- tendance of the District President to represent the point of view held by this District. “The District President has also taken an active part in top level conferences with the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Papermill Workers, and the United Papermakers, to canvass possibilities of closer cooperation and eventual merger. These talks are continuing, as opportunities arise, in the hope that concrete recomendations leading to greater unity may soon be submitted to "|W. Shaule, McBride Timber, 1-424— q_ Sick St. Pauls and General Hospitals Ladies Auxiliary of Local 1-217, IWA, visited the following patients in ‘the St. Pauls and General Hos- pitals from July to October, 1957, distributing candy, cigarettes and copies of the 8.C. Lumber Worker. St. Pauls Mr, Peterson, Alaska, Quesnel; 1-424 —Leg injury. F. Bates, Western, Quesnel, 1-421— Crushed knee,’ compound frac- ture. G. Mostrom, Timber Creek, Leg injury. J. H. Meade, Western, Quesnel, 1-424 Pearson Hospital ‘Ladies Auxiliary of Local 1-217, IWA, visited the following patients in the Pearson T.B. and Polio sec- tion of the Hospital from June to December 1957, distributing candy, cigarettes and’ copies of the B.C. Lumber Worker. G. Baunders, L-118— * Gordon River, ‘Tuberculosis. ©. Hansen, Cameron Lumber, 1-118 —Tuberculosis. ry of Local 1-217, IWA, visited the following patients in the Pearson Hospital from June to December, uting candy, cigarettes and copies of the B.C. Lumber Worker. L. Ouinlaw, Ladysmith, 1-80—T.B. H. Vingren, Bear Creek, 1-80—T.2. D. McCaig, Bear Creek, 1-80—T.B. Jack Chin, Duncan, 1-80—T.B. Due to the lack of space in this pre-convention issue, it is not pos- sible to publish all sick lists re- ported. Publication in full will be resumed in later editions. » Prince George, 1. Leg ry. * Editor. Chemainus Popular Annual Children’s Christmas Party sponsored by the Chemainus Sub-Local of Local 1-80, IWA, was held again this year on December 21st, in the Willow Theatre with a happy audience of over 500 youngsters. On entering the Theatre, the children were treated to bags of candy, nuts and oranges, and then were shown a fine full length feat- ure picture followed by three Party Charms Youngsters “At the conclusion of the show, Santa Claus came on stage to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. George Baird played the part of Santa Claus and was an instant hit with the youngsters. Those responsible for the suc- cess of the Party included, Bill Peterson, T. Manning, Red Mc- Intosh, George Baird, Ladies Aux- iliary members Jean Leason, Lyn- gen, Samuelson, Strom and Woodley, and two very popular IWA members Bill Peterson and appropriate cartoons. Al. Cave. Wins Contr Ten month strike by members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Stores Union, against the Simmons Mattress Company, ended January 27th, with employees winning sub- stantial wage increases. The new base rate has been raised to $1.20 an hour for women and $1.45 for men. Prior to the strike, women received 85c per hour and the men $1.20 per hour. Job classification gives other Simmons’ Strike act employees in the plant increases of between 20 and 25 cents an hour over what they were getting previously. Other items in the new contract, which is valid for one year, in- clude union security; a 40-hour five-day week as compared to the previous 42% hours; time and one half for overtime; plant-wide sen- jority affecting lay-offs; re-hiring and promotion; and $100 retroact- ive pay for each employee. High praise was tendered the work of the IWA Ladies’ Auxiliaries in the report of the Union’s District Officers when reviewing the past year’s work for the delegates in convention this week. Reference was made in Auxiliaries Praised commendatory terms to the “devoted attention to the needs of hospitalized lumber workers.” The organization of a new auxiliary attached to Local 1-417, IWA, Salmon Arm, was reported. the membership for approval.” A product of General Saker © Limit