B.C. LUMBER WORKER

Ist Issue, March

The Truth
Was Told

RGANIZED iabour’s presentation on the

subject of unemployment before the Stand-
ing Committee on Labour of the Legislature was
not only timely but effective. It left the members
of the Legislature no pretext to side-step the
-subject. Provificial authority has a share in pro-
viding immediate alleviation of the problem, and
labour’s action has. left the responsibility right
on the doorstep of the Provincial Government.

The brief painstakingly prepared by the B.C.
Federation of Labour was a cogent and impres-
sive tabulation of the facts about a grave situa-
tion. It should be studied by all trade union offi-
cials and used by them to counteract the persis-
tent barrage of misleading propaganda now con-
fusing the general public on the topic.

One point should be here stressed, in refer-
ence to the presentation made to the Provincial
Government. The Government is itself a large
employer of labour. If the Government is sincere
about its leadership toward solutions, the Gov-
ernment should first set a good example to other
employers in the province. ;

Trade unionists should take note of the man-
ner in which-the Federation’s brief debunked
many of the popular statements regarding un-
employment which have been given wide circu-
lation by big business interests.

The present- unemployment is not a tem-
porary seasonal upset. Unemployment has
occurred every winter since 1948 and has steadily
grown in proportions. If neglected, by next win-
ter, it will be still more threatening.

Unemployment as we see it now is not an
inevitable and necessary adjustment for our
economy. The causes are known and may be
eradicated. Unemployment is something quite
different from an adjustment. It is a cancer on
the body politic. :

Unemployment has not occurred simply be-
cause of the increase in the size of the working
force. Unemployment has increased percentage-
wise much faster than the working force.

Unemployment insurance benefits do not wipe
out the ills of unemployment. The weekly pay-
ments provide nothing more than mere subsis-
tence. The losses occasioned workers’ families
because of lowered nutritional standards, re-
duced educational opportunities for the children,
and loss of investment in purchases made-on the
installment plan, are beyond calculation.

We repeat again. It costs much less to prevent
unemployment’ than to relieve unemployment
distress. At any stage, unemployment is No. 1
enemy of social stability. It is noW a chronic
disease of our national life.

Labour’s Aims Are
Election Issues

E IS NOT the business of this publication to

instruct any [WA member how he should vote
in this Federal general election. This is a matter
of conscience, when the voter reaches the polling
booth.

It is the business of this publication to focus
attention on the legislative aims of the workers
as determined by trade union conventions. There
could be no better time to focus such attention
than during an election campaign. The attention
which needs focussing is that of the candidates.

The announcement made by the District Offi-
cers in this issue suggests how every trade union-

(VieTORIA]

Lots of Talk --But No

Jobs <

ist may do a sound political job for organized
labour before he starts worrying about the party
or candidate of his choice. ~

He will be informed of the major issues
affecting labour in Parliament. He can insist
“that these issues be discussed at political meet-
ings. He can insist that every political candidate
express his views on labour’s views. He will then
be better able to vote intelligently, when he

Congratulations

The members ofthe Fruit and
Vegetable. Workers Union Local
"No, 2, Oliver, wish to congratulate
the IWA on the recent achieve-
ment at the Oliver Sawmills.

We wish you every success in
the future,

Mary Keeley,
Secretary-Treasurer,
Fruit & Vegetable Workers
Union, Local No. 2, Oliver.

arrives at the polls on March 31.

B.C. LABOUR DELEGATES, three hundred strong,
17th, for the presentation of the B.C. Federation of
tee on Labour.

marching on the Patliament Building in Victoria, February
Labour's brief on unemployment to the Standing Commit-

Union Expects Representation |

On Forestry Advisory Council

Remarks of District= President, Joe Morris, during the
recent IWA District Convention are now being interpreted
as indicating that the Union expects early action to permit,
fuller consultation on polices relating to forest management
licences. i

The IWA official declared. ,

“In regard to the lumber indus-
try, upon which we depend for
our livelihood, we must remain
on the alert to protect our inter-

“One of the recommendations in
his report proposed the establish-
ment, of a provincial advisory

council, upon which our Union

Ce nee ee ene es
would be: granted representation.
This proposal has been welcomed
by the ILW.A,, because of the im-
Portant stake held by our mem-
bers in the basic considerations
involved. Under the circumstances
I believe that this Union should
*
assume, as one of its major func-
tions, a increasing imeasure of re-
sponbility in influencing the for- 7
estry policies of this province.”

sts in the conservation and har-
vesting of our forest wealth as
found in its-natural state. Any fail-,
ure to adopt scientific methods in
the conservation and perpetuation
of our forests is a constant threat
to our continued employment.

“It is therefore my duty to di-
rect your attention to the fact that
we'may expect significant changes
in the management of forest lands
still under control of the Crown.
We anticipate that steps will be
taken by former Chief Justice Gor-
don M, Sloan‘in his new post to
secure implementation of the rec-
comendations contained in his
1957 report. Certainly unusual
powers have been conferfed upon

him to initiate sweeping reforms,

CREDIT UNIO)

supported by IWA

Alberni District Credit Union,
IWA 1-217 Sayings, Broadway

New Westminster

Chemainus & District Credit U;

IWA (N.W.) Credit Union, Room 21,

IN DIRECTORY ~

IWA Credit Unions and other Credit Unions

Local Unions in B.C.

209 lo Street, Port Alberni
& Quebe? Streets, Vancouver 10
774 Columbia Street,

Local 1-118, IWA (Victoria), 904 Gordon Street, Victorio

inion, Box 299, Chemainus

Lake Cowichan and District Credit Union, Lake Cowichan, B.C.
Courtenay Credit Union, Box 952 Courtenay

Duncan & District Credit Union, Box 1717,
Prince George & District, 1046- th Avenue,
Nenaimo & District Credit Union,

Duncan

Prince George
499 Wallace St., Nanaimo