‘ | tstiscue, Marck B.C. LUMBER WORKER From Page 1 x In proof of thisy they submitted the following table to show that since 1948 the dimensions of the problem have been steadily in- creasing. The foregoing table! was pre-j sented to show that unemploy- ment is a recurring problem. Wheh considered in conjunction with the LABOUR FORCE AND REGISTRATIONS AT NATIO: AL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICES OVER 10-YEAR PERIOD Registrations Labour Force Canada Pacific Region Feb, 1948 4,934. thousands 186,734 29,713 te Ogg 3 261,763 52,438, ty ae ge 375,874> 59,563 1951 .. Pe 296,697 44,837 1952 .. le 362,825 57,547 ” 1953 .. ”»—, 401,700 56,200. eo i054 ©. ¥ 559,000 69,961 ENIOSS: “a 613,395 62,110 ae 1p 0 eee 315,103) $1,278 2 1957 .. RY 574,692 71,372 Dec. 1956. - al 314,401 32,736 Ges) 5,966 ¥, 570,674 77,160 (Above figures from Department of Labour, Dominion Bureau of Statistics) a OUR ESTIMATED FIGURE FOR: Feb. 1958 se Calvert SPECIAL Canadian Rye Whisky Disilled ly Canadian craftsmen: matured ire cok casks in lompetataien eonticlled sack warchoutes anc. BOTTLED IN BOND ander the Auperwision of the [ist sill CALVERT DISTILLERS UuMITED You'll find one of these fine Calvert rye whiskies exactly to your taste. Both are smooth-blended, mellow, light whiskies! It's just a matter of fasting, to see which Calvert is your Calvert. Calvert RAND RESERVE Canadian Rye Whisky CREATED FOR CANADIAN HOSPITALITY ‘his advertisoment is not published or displayed by the Liquer Control Boord or by the Government of Biltish Columbia. 900,000 85,000 following table relatiig to the growth in the province’s labour force, it-was claimed that the per- centage increase in the unem- ployed registered far out-distanced the percentage increase in the labour force. * TOTAL PAID WORKERS IN B.C. LABOUR FORCE 1948 . 339,800 1949 .. 338,250 1950 .. 332,250 . 1951 .. 334,750 1952 . 340,750 1953 .. 355,800 1954 356,300 1955 351,300 1956 367,600 1957 391,600 (B.C. Department of Labour Annual Report, 1956, page*l16) The Federation’s brief reviewed the History of negotiations con- ducted in former years with re- gard to chronic conditions of un- employment. Despite labour’s warnings, it was also shgwn that the Provincial Government had condoned the granting of overtime permits in industry. A report was given on unem- ployment. conditions as experi- enced by the participating unions. Some unions reported as high as ninety per cent of their members as being unemployed. Reference was made to the brief presented by the Federation in December, 1957, which stated: “We would urge in the strong- est manner possible that this Gov- ernment immediately declare that an emergency exists in the field of unemployment and they call upon the Federal Government to join with them in the declaration. Plans should be implemented immediately to alleviate the suffer- ing that is the result of unem- ployment. - These plans should include: 1, Immediate increase in Un- employment Insurance benefits. 2. An extension of Seasonal Benefits. ie 3. Increase in allowance for Unemployed Employables ~ ad- ministered by the city, with the Federal and Provincial Govern- ments accepting 100% respon- sibility, * 4. A stepped-up Provincial and Federal Works Program, We would draw to the attention of the proper authorities the pres- ent lag in: © Necessary hospital build- ings and facilities. ® Lack of school ‘rooms and University of B.C, buildings. @ Shortage of homes and the need for more housing of the low-rental type. © Need for a proper’ slum- clearance program. © An intensive road building progam. @ More dyking and flood control for farm areas, @ Reduction of the work week and abolition of overtime permits, =~ - “MARCH” In addition to further employ- ment opportunities for B.C. work- ers, we repeat our former request: We strongly urge this Govern- ment to introduce policies which will encourage ‘the establishing of smantfacting plants to process raw materials for our own use and for export as manufactured goods rather than as the raw product. Also that this Government exert its full influence in support of the position that trade relations be promoted with all nations includ- | _ ing those Asian countries- which are at present banned.” g On the last occasion, the dele- gation laid stress on the following recommendations: In conclusion, we think it is of the utmost importance that: 1, This Government immediate- ly introduce legislation to get an additional program of public works: started in this Province. 2. That a conference be con- vened between the Provincial Gov- ernment, Municipalities, Business and Labour, to encourage an over- all campaign to avoid any repeti- tion in the winter of 1958, 1959. 3. That strong recommendations be made to the Federal Govern- ment for further increases in Un- employment Insurance, 4. This Government thake a grant towards the establishment of research into the question of Seasonal Unemployment. 5. This Government take the lead in arranging for a debt mora- torium to be imposed to protect the present unemployed. Union Wins Oliver Mill Victorious end to the long- ‘drawn-out battle to gain bargain- ing rights for the IWA in the operation of the Oliver Sawmills Ltd. was jubilantly announced jointly recently by IWA Re- gional Director J. Clayton Walls, and District Secretary-Treasu- rer George Mitchell. A repre-. sentation vote conducted by thé Department of Labour gave a decisive verdict for the IWA, and ended the attempts to main- tain a company union. “ Number of employees presently involved approximates 150, -al- though there are expectations that normal production demands will increase this number to over 200. Balloting workers were over 90. The vote resulted from a well- planned campaign to reach. the workers with the facts about the IWA and offset misleading state- ments offered in justification of discredited forms of employee representation, IWA Now Solid Finally, the existence of an un- organized “unit in a region now solidly IWA, became a threat to standards established by the IWA throughout the area, and was so recognized by the employees. In making the announcement of the representation vote returns, District officials praised the re- C BOB ROSS District Organizer sults achieved by District Organ- izer Bob Ross, who laid the basis for a: win by a persistent person- to-person canvass. Frank Stick was also given credit for an im- portant assist. Final meetings addressed on be- half of the IWA were also at- tended by Regional Director Clay- ton Walls, and District Secretary- Treasurer, George Mitchell. A man can usually tell what kind of a time he’s having at a party by the look on his wife's face, ‘Sloan Ruling Gives Union Rest Day Lost In Change Ruling recently given by former Chief Justice Gordon M. Sloan, in his capacity as Arbitrator under the IWA master agreement, protects workers affected by Article XX, Section 1, in respect of payment of wages at the overtime rate for @ lost rest day in the first week of a rearranged work schedule. Full text of the interpretation given follows: Pursuant to Section 1, Article XX} of the 1957 Master Agree- ment governing the Coast Forest Products Industry,-Forest Indus- trial Relations Limited, on behalf ‘of the employers, requesting my ruling as to the proper interpreta- tion of Section 4, Article V, re- lating to Hotirs of Work. The Article in question reads as follows: “Tt is agreed that Mainte- nance, Repair_and Construction Employees can be employed on a Tuesday-to-Saturday work week for which they will be paid straight-time for Saturday work. In such event, Sunday and Mon- day will be recognized as their rest days and any work per- formed on their rest days will be paid for at rate and one-half. It is further agreed that the rest day, Monday, may be changed by mutual consent between the Employee and the Company. In such event, work performed on Monday will be paid for at straight-time. If the employee works on Monday at the request of the Company, the rate of pay will be rate and one-half, How- ever, if the Employee requests a temporary change from his rest day Gq Monday, work per- formed on Monday will be paid for at straight-time.” _ The question raised for determi- nation is stated as follows: “Has an Employer Company the right to change, the work week from a Tuesday-to-Satur- day schedule as provided for in Article V, Section 4, to a Mon- day-to-Frigay schedule, without incurring the obligation to pay overtime rates for Monday in the first week of the revised schedule?” The matter came up for hearing before me at the City of Vancou- ver on November 28 last in the presence of Wilfred Heffernan, Esq., John Billings, Esq. and D. Lanskail, Esq., on behalf of Forest Industrial Relations Limited and Joseph Morris, .Esq., and G. H. Mitchell, Esq., on behalf of Dis- trict Council No. 1, International Woodworkers of America, and after hearing the submissions ad- vanced by both sides to this con- troversy, I reserved judgment. It seems to me thet when con- sideration is given to the language in which the question is framed, the issue is narrowed to overtime rates for Monday in the first week of the revised work schedule. In the Tuesday - to - Saturday work week the employee has worked five days and this period of employment would normally be followed by two rest days: Sunday and Monday. If the schedule is changed so that Monday becomes a work day, that rest day is lost and, should the changed schedule remain in effect during the balance of the man’s employment, that one day’s rest is never recovered by him. The Union agrees that the work week can be changed by Manage- ment but submits that the lost rest day in the first week, ic,, Monday, should be paid for as if the em- ployee had worked on a rest day. This contention is resisted by representatives of the Companies who argue that when the schedule is changed, Monday becomes an ordinary work day as the begin- ning of a new work week and that when the work schedule reverts to the Tuesday-to-Saturday week, the employee®will receiye a compen- satory three consecutive days of Saturday, Sunday and Monday. That could result if the old work schedule was once more made operative. but it seems to me my consideration must be directed solely to the Monday in the first week of the new schedule, and that what might occur if the work week is again re-arranged is not before me for decision. Bearing in mind the form of the question submitted, I interpret the Master Contract to mean that if an employee is called to work on a rest day because of rearrange- ment of work schedule, he should be paid for that lost rest day in the first week of the new schedule on the overtime rate. k. As I have said what may be the position if and when the old schedule is re-introduced, is not before me and this situation could well be a matter for consideration when the new Contract is being negotiated, Dated at Victoria, B.C., ‘nis 12th day of February, 1958, (Signed) GORDON M. SLOAN, ‘Arbitrator. 1-80 Meets March 16 Annual meeting of Local 1-80, IWA, will be held March 16, in the [WA Hall, Duncan, Nomination of Lécal Officers will take place at the meeting, as well as election of delegates to the Nanaimo and District Labour Council, the District Conferences and the District Safety Council. The Local Ballotting Committee and District Board Member will also be elected.