‘e

2nd Issue, July

B.C. LUMBER WORKER

From Page 1

“Report”

ity with the Union to strive
for a solution that will avert a
serious and open clash.

This recent development has
brought the discussions to a halt.

We will await further advice
from My, Fraser, whom we un-
derstand is continuing his ef-
“forts to secure agreement on a
formula® for continuance of dis-
cussions that might end the dis-
pute,

Ready For Action

At the same time the attitude
taken by the employers’ rep-
vesentatives made it necessary
to summon the District Policy
Committee into session today to
hear our report, assess the sit-
uation, and make further plans
as may be necessary.

Our Union is thus placed in
a position to make decisions
promptly, should it be indicated
that the employers will not con-
sider any compromise on their
original position. The necessary
discussion and consultation on
the part of our Local Unions, as
represented on the District Policy
Committee is now in progress.
Members of our Union will be
promptly advised of any decision
affecting their interests.

All those who are acquainted
with the facts will recognize that
the Union has exerted the ut-
most effort to conciliate this dis-
pute. We gave this undertaking
earlier, and we have kept our
bargain faithfully. We are still
prepared to participate in any
genuine effort to reach a settle-
ment which will avert dpen strife,
No Backward Steps Possible

It must be clearly under-
stood, however, that this Union
will not accept contract condi-
tions which are worse than
those established through for-
mer negotiations. The attitude
expressed by the employers’
representatives at the confer-
ence table yesterday indicates
that this is what they intend to
force upon the Union if they
can.

I repeat here what I have al-
ready told them across the
table, that this is not possible.
If the employers insist upon
terms that mean a reduction in
the existing contract benefits,
they are deliberately provoking
serious trouble. The employ-
ers’ representatives are well
aware, that if they maintain
this attitude, they are closing
the door on all hope of pcace-
ful settlement.

The rise in costs of living has
already seriously reduced the
value of earnings at the present
wage rates. Lumber workers
have been warned of further in-
creased costs of living in the
next year, such as the proposed
inereased costs of electric serv-
ice in their homes and transpor-
tation to and from work.

On all sides, workers in Briti-
ish Columbia have been granted
the necessary adjustments to en-
able them to keep abreast of
these rising living costs, and
maintain acceptable standards in
their homes,

Defence Essential

The primary responsibility of
our Union is to protect the wel-
fare of our members. In these
cireumtsances, however, it has
become necessary for us to pro-
teet our members against the at-
tempt of their employers to force
upon them the acceptance of
worse, instead of better contract
conditions.

Our Union represents the larg-
est and most important section
of industrial workers engaged in
the wealth production of this

province. Our members should
not be expected to take less by
way of returh from the processes
of production in goods and sery-
iees than those workers whose
contribution to the total wealth
production of the province has
not been as great or any greater.

The present attempt to de-
press our working and living
standards, if successful, will be

not only a matter of grossly un- |

fair discrimination on the part
of employers who have prosper-
ed greatly but will spell a down-
ward trend in business activity
within the province. The wage
spending of lumber workers and
their families is an important
factor in the economic life of
the province.

Onus Upon Employers

If the employers maintain the
completely uncompromising atti-
tude expressed by their represen-
tatives at the bargaining table,
and refuse consideration of all
peace overtures on the part of
the Union, the onus will rest upon
thein for any resulting stoppage
of production in the lumber in-
dustry.

Despite the rebuffs experienced
yesterday, we are still ready to
explore every opportunity for a
peaceful settlement but to get
such a result both parties must
display a genuine desire for
peace.

It is obvious that it would be
less costly to reach such a settle
ment now, while it is still pos-
sible to meet around the confer-
ence table with some measure
of good will, than in the atmos-
phere of bitterness - inevitable
after open industrial strife.”

Joint
Meets
Set

Area conferences in B.C. un-
der the joint auspices of the
CCF Provincial Executive and
the B.C. Federation of Labour
to examine the Canadian La-
bour Congress resolution re-
garding the formation of a
more broadly based political
party will commence Septem-
ber 6.

In addition to the CLC resolu-
tion, it is expected that a similar
resolution will originate in the
CCF National Convention in Mon-
treal this month. Each area con-
ference will extend over two
days, and will be comprised of
representatives from the trade
unions and CCF units in the area.

The meetings will also provide
an opportunity for both groups
of delegates to become more fa-
miliar with one another’s pro-
grams and to make preparations
for the next provincial election.

Following are the dates for the
regional conferences:

September 6 and 7—New West-
minster, Fraser Valley; Septem-
ber 13 and 14—Greater Vancou-
ver; September 20 and 21 —
Prince Rupert and Northern Re-
gions; October 4 and 5—Vancou-
yer Island; October 11 and 12—
West and East Kootenays; No-
vember 1 and 2—Coastal Region;
November 8 and 9 — Okanagan
and Interior,

es oe e
MEMBERS OF LOCAL 1-71, IWA, employed at the Charles Creek Logging Company, casting their
ballots during the Union conducted strike yote held last month.

“Shocking,” Says Hall

OTTAWA (CPA)—The Can-
adian Labor Congress’ Com-
mittee on Human Rights in a
statement by chairman Frank
Hall has termed “shocking and
reprehensible” remarks made in
the Senate recently by Liberal
Senator J. W. deB. Farris.

Senator Farris strongly criti-
ecized remarks made recently by
Douglas Jung (PC-Vancouver
Centre) and asked “What right
has this Chinaman got to repre-
sent the Canadian people?”

The Senator has refused to

withdraw his statement.
Jung is of Chinese origin, and
is the first member of his ethnic
group to sit in the House of
Commons.
Childish Pique

Mr. Hall’s statement termed
Senator Farris’ remarks “more
than a display of childish pique.

“It is an expression of the
seemingly innocent but deep-
seated racial prejudices which
are still prevalent in Canada.

“The labor movement consi
ers that the practice of apply-

Mr.|ing derogatory racial tags to

of minority groups
cannot be defended as either
natural or harmless, and con-
demns such practices.

“Public and press reaction to
Senator Farris’ statement dem-
onstrate that the majority of
Canadians share this view.

“It is hoped that Senator Far-
ris can be made to realize that
expressions of racial bigotry
have no place in a democratic
society.”

members

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