B.C. LUMBER WORKER 2nd Issue, July “Booby-Trap” ‘THE march of events is exposing the claims _ made by the lumber operators that contract improvements are not feasible by reason of marketing conditions. The evidence is mounting in proof of the Union’s earlier prediction that an expanding market demand would result in new production records. Simultaneously, the intentions of the em- ployers are being more clearly exposed to their employees. As the facts become more widely known, and the propaganda of the employers is seen in its true light, the workers are able to grasp its rea] purpose. The determination of the employers to force an acceptance of the majority report of the Conciliation Board, is a deliberate effort to turn the clock back in contract conditions. The Union’s spokesmen have rightly advised the employers’ representatives that a settlement on the basis of a reduction in existing contract benefits cannot be entertained by the Union. The insistence by the bargaining representa- tives that this is the inflexible will of their prin- cipals has soured discussions which offered hope of industria] peace. ~ If the position taken by the employers’ re- presentatives can no longer be justified by the marked improvement in export sales, the reason for this attitude must be sought elsewhere. It is no longer possible for the employers to take refuge in the worn-out theory that legiti- mate wage increases would price them out of their market. Increased productivity has made it clear that the lumber workers have earned an increase by producing more lumber with a low- ered unit cost. The fraudulent proposition that union-nego- tiated wage increases are the cause of higher prices has been fully exposed by the leading economists. The most urgent requirement in plans to regain normal business prosperity is an expand- ed and stabilized purchasing power, which in the final analysis rests on the wage-spending ability of the workers. - The attempt to depress the living standards of the largest group of industrial workers in this province, can lead only to a downturn in business activities in the province if successful. The attitude taken by the employers must be considered against the background of the organized employers’ general campaign to dis- credit labor. Industry spokesmen and politicians haye seized upon a period of unemployment to blame labor for the condition of the economy. If they succeed in hoodwinking people on this point, they hope to succeed in forcing labor to sound a retreat, and abandon all efforts to gain higher living standards. This will multiply their profits. “How Can I Keep Up With This?” It would delight the employers, if the largest Union in the province could be manoeuvred into a position where it could be smashed. Nothing would please them more than to see their em- ployees deprived of a militant bargaining Publication date of the next issue of the B.C. LUMBER WORKER is August 7th. Deadline for ad copy is July 31st and for news copy August Ist. agency. By the same token, it behooves the Union to develop its plans carefully, and to adopt the tactics that most likely will make its fighting strength count for the most. From Page 2 hike, at a time when the over- riding objective should have been to inerease car sales. A Body Blow The price-fixing policies fol- lowed by these two key indus- tries, and followed by many oth- ers have dealt a body blow to the whole economy and for which they would now place the blame on labour’s wage increases. All our experience points to the fact that over-all economic expan- sion providing full production and full employment, is dependent very largely on the expansion of consumer purchasing power re- sulting from an expansion of wages and salaries. If we gear our economy to the high-price, high-profit policies of big busi- ness, we cannot escape ever in- creasing unemployment. It must therefore be clear that organized labour in demanding wage in- creases is seeking that which is good for the whole nation. Double Standards The people who talk a great deal about the individual initia- tive and enterprise which has built our industries too often do this on the basis of double standards. We, often wonder, why when the employers talk this way about their own efforts, Representing the Organized Loggers and Mill Workers of B.C. PUBLISHED TWICH MONTHLY ON THE FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAYS BY International Woodworkers of America (CIO-CCL) <> = President ist Vice-Presid 2nd Vice-President ... Srd Vice-President .. Secretary-Treasurer George H. Mitchell International Board Member nme Walter B, Allen Address all communications to GEORGE H. MITCHELL, Secretary-Treasurer 45 Kingsway - Dickens 6261-2 ‘Vancouver, B.C, Subscription Rates, $2.00 per annum Advertising Representative. .G. A. Spencer Authorized as Second Class Post Office Dept., Ottawa District Council No. 1 DISTRICT OFFICERS Joe Morris foe Madden ue Stuart M, Hodgson Bred Fieber they would deny any virtue in they would deny any virtue in the initiative of thousands of workers acting through their collective bargaining. Our unions represent the in- centiyes, the needs, and the aspirations of the thousands that they represent. Without collective bargaining, these thousands would haye no voice in policies that determine their standard of living. We may well ask why they should consider that it is mor- ally wrong for a $3,000 a year worker to try and get $4,000 a year to feed, cloth and house his family, when at the same 27,600 COPIHS PRINTED IN THIS ISSUB | time they think it is economic- ally sound and morally right “Profits, Not Wages” for a $25,000 a year executive to have the initiative drive, and incentive to try and get $75,000 a year. We encounter much of our trouble at the bargaining table because of these double economic and moral standards. Wages have trailed prices, and wage costs have not justified the price increases, more recently experienced. Wages which consti- tute about two thirds of the total consumer income must be raised to keep pace with increased pro- ductivity. Wages must be raised if we are to enjoy a full pro- duction, full-employment policy, the prospects of which have been painted in glowing colors recently by the Gordon commis- sion on the economic prospects of Canada.” SIGN! UP THAT, NON-MEMBER! © OTTAWA (CPA)—A num- ber of unions will meet in Montreal July 9 to clear juris- dictional lines in anticipation of a major organizing drive on the St. Lawrence Seaway de- yelopment, according to CLG. executive vice-president Wil- liam Dodge. The meeting was called by pre- sident William V. Bradley of the International Longshoremen’s As- sociation. Originally scheduled for a U.S. site, the CLC requested that the meeting be held in Can- ada because Canadian jurisdic- tion is involved. Attending Unions- Among the unions expected to attend are the ILA, the Seafarers International Union, the Cana- dian Brotherhood of - Railway Employees and Other Transport Workers, and the Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks. The meeting will probably be chaired by either Mr. Dodge or CLC president Claude Jodoin. Another meeting July 9 in Montreal, involving the Team- sters, the National Maritime Union, the Longshoremen and the Seafarers has been rumored. That meeting would be chaired by IBT president James R. Hoffa, according to reports. Less Than 8° a DAY... ALL THE NEWS of all the world. . . all the news of Canada, B.C., your home town, PLUS all the features to entertain every member of your family . . . all these The Vancouver Sun brings to your home every day! And for LESS than & cents a day, delivered. . . coffee or five cigarettes, LESS than the price of a cup of There are still a few bargains around in these days of inflation and your big, metropolitan newspaper, The Sun, is one of them! * In All Your Expenditures, It’s Your BEST BUY! * = } 4