ployers Stall Peace Moves. Says Committee Union Refuses To Accept Reduced Contract Terms Critical turn in peace talks between the coast lumber operators and the IWA caused by the refusal of the opera- tors’ representatives to consider any compromise settle- ag Niel alee Sy Lessa] Aussies Diserict Conse He Vol. XXV, No. 14 <@>»** 2nd ISSUE, JULY 1958 - VANCOUVER, B.C. 5c PER COPY Ss FORCED to withdraw their information picket line around the Pondosa Pine Lumber Company at Monte Lake, when confronted with a Court injunction, these IWA members leased private prop- erty adjacent to the Company’s operation and set up their Headquarters. Profits, Not Wages Cause Price Hikes Employers’ propaganda attempting to create the im- pression in the public mind that wage increases have been the sole cause of price inflation was scored by District Sec- retary-Treasurer George Mitchell as a mammoth hoax in a recent radio address in connection with Interior negotia- tions. He reported that conferences with the employers under the direction of a Conciliation Officer were still proceeding without any definite development to report to date. It was indicated that the pro- posed wage increase would be the central issue in dispute. The Union has requested a fifteen percent across the board wage in- crease. The IWA fight to gain better wages was being conducted against the background of al wider controversy, he stated. He urged that the facts be substi- tuted for the poisonous propa- ganda now being circulated by employing interests. He said in part: “The Union’s negotiations this year, both at the coast and in WHAT'S INSIDE the Interior are being conducted against the background of con- flicting opinion in regard to the causes and dangers of a reces- sion in the economy. Last week, representatives of the Canadian Labour Congress Dominion-Provincial _ conference, participated in a Winter Work called by the Federal Govern- ment, because of the alarming prospects of another serious waye of unemployment next win- ter. See “PROFITS” Page 2 Conciliation Proceeding At press time, discussions with the employers in the Northern and Southern’ In- terior were proceeding under the direction in each instance of a Conciliation Officer. While every effort is being made to speed the tempo of these negotiations on the part of the Union, no definite development can as yet be reported, it is stated by the parties to the dispute. Joint Action Looms Joint committee to co-ord- inate activities with regard to contract negotiations was the immediate outcome of a significant meeting held on July 20 between Policy Com- mittees of the Pacific North- west States and the District Council No. 1 of the IWA. The meeting in Portland was arranged when the IWA District Policy Committee heard the re- port of the Negotiating Commit- tee to the effect that the em- ployers’ representatives in the discussions had indicated that they had instructions not to ne- gotiate on any proposed conces- sion ‘in proposed settlement terms. The negotiations on wages af- fecting the Pacific Northwest States commence on September 16th. Under American law, the local unions south of the border can then plan and take strike action legally. The joint committee will be formed of representatives of the International Union, and of both American and Canadian sections. This co-ordination of policy in face of intensified attacks from the employers has long been ad- vocated in British Columbia. ment plan resulted in rapid and significant moves on the part of the District Policy Committee this week to bring decisive and early results in accordance with IWA policy. In brief summary, these de- velopments were: Discussions came to a halt, when the employers’ representa- tives refused to negotiate any point in proposed peace terms. The Union’s negotiators called for an immediate meet- ing of the District Policy Com- mittee. The Committee in making a fresh appraisal of the situa- tion, authorized continued ef- forts to reach a settlement. The entire committee ar- ranged an immediate meeting with the Pacific Northwest States Negotiating Committee in Portland, and set up a co- ordinating committee. Steps were taken to acceler- ate negotiations in the Interior. Plans were laid to place the whole question before the mem- bership by means of a dele- gate district conference, local membership rallies, and job stewards’ conferences. In his report to the Union, the District President said: Report “As reported earlier, the IWA District Negotiating Committee has been engaged, during the past week, in a series of confer- ences with the bargaining rep- resentatives of the coast lumber operators, In response to our Union’s request for Government assistance in this regard, Mr. William Fraser, Head of the Conciliation Branch, Department of Labour has presided over these discussions, in an effort to reach a mutually acceptable basis for agreement between the parties. Our Union deferred any steps to act on the strike mandate given in the government-super- vised strike vote, and in the Union’s own vote. Our District Policy Committee, which met on the day following the supervised vote, expressed the belief that.all possibilities of peaceful settle- ment should first be explored be- fore calling for strike action. In recognition of our responsi- bility to the public, as well as the Union’s members, we met with the employers’ bargaining representatives, prepared to bar- gain in good faith, and with a veadiness to compromise where compromise might be possible. We stated at the time, that al- though hasty action was not con- templated, indefinite delays would not be tolerated. As the discussions got under way, all aspects of the matter were thoroughly discussed. It was finally proposed by Mr. Fra- ser that non-cost items should first be considered, leaving dis- cussion of cost items to the last. Discussions Halted Yesterday, these discussions reached a critical stage, which requires that our Union should now make a fresh appraisal of the situation. The bargaining representa- tives of the employers at the conference table, advised us, that after consultation with their principals, they were not then prepared to negotiate any of the points under discussion. They conveyed to us the im- pression that the employers had instructed them to make no concessions in the interests of industrial peace, Evidently, they were as de- termined to refuse any conces- sions on the non-cost fea- tures of any proposed settle- ment as those which would in- yolve additional financial lia- bility. If they intend to main- tain this inflexible opposition to all proposals which might offer hope of an amicable settlement, further discussions will be ren- dered fruitless. It is difficult to believe that under the circumstances the employers would instruct that peace talks be abruptly term- inated by an arbitrary rejec- tion of all proposed comprom- ises. In this situation the em- ployers have equal responsibil- See “REPORT” Page 3 Union Heads Discuss New Merger Prospects Top-level talks on the question of the proposed merger between the, International Woodworkers of America, and the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite, and Papermill Workers will continue when the delegates meet in Chicago on July 3ist. District President Joe Morris has been named as one of the IWA representatives. It is expected that this conference will be attended by the International President of the pulp and paper union. Earlier in the year, District President Joe Morris attended a similar conference with representatives of the Papermakers Union. He reports that good progress has been made in the preparation of plans for submission to the members of the participating unions. LISTEN TO freen Gold-—CJOR 7:00 Thursday ourp CKPG-Ist & 3rd Thurs., 6:00 p.m. CKEK-Thurs., 8:15-8:30 p.m.