2 B.C. LUMBER WORKER Ist Issue, August From Page 1 “Big jection of the majority reports and authorization of strike action. The request was made for a govern- ment-supervised strike vote, which because of the approaching vaca- tion period was held June 27th. “Prior to the government-sup- ervised strike vote, the negotiat- ing committee had interviewed Premier, the Hon, Mr. Bennett, and the Minister of Labour, to inform them of the situation, and propose that further steps be taken to re-open discussions in order to explore further the pos- sibilities of a peaceful settlement. “The Government _ appointed ‘Mr. William Fraser, Head of the Conciliation Branch Department of Labour, to initiate talks be- tween the employers and the Un- ion, commencing July 7th. “These discussions ended on July 16th. The employers’ repre- sentatives intimated that upon consultation with their principals they were unwilling to consider a settlement on terms other thar those proposed in the majority re- port. The Union could not sign a contract with terms substantial- ly reduced from those of the pre- vious one. Overtures Made “When the Policy Committee met on July 17th, further steps to negotiate a peaceful settlement were authorized, while at the same time a number of steps were taken to strengthen the Union’s posi- tion, should strike action become inevitable. On July 23rd, the members of the Negotiating Com- mittee reported on the situation to the Premier, and conveyed to him the basis of a settlement, which the Committee felt would be ac- ceptable to the employers .and that could be recommended to the membership. “This was transmitted to the employers by the Premier, and re- jected. The Premier then appoint- ed Forestry Advisor, the Hon. Gordon M. Sloan, as a Royal Commissioner to act as mediator. This appointment was made on July 31st, and the Commissioner acted immediately to open his en- quiry. He has been constantly active in this capacity since that date. ht” “This record of events given in chronological order with dates, indicates several important facts. In the first place, it will be seen that the Union did not fail at any point to expedite negotiations. The extended timetable has re- sulted from circumstances over which the Union had no control. “In the second place, the Union has clearly made every possible effort to reach an amicable settle- ment and to avert a disastrous strike. Door Climate “Perhaps the most significant factor causing this situation was the climate in which the Union's negotiations were conducted this year. The general public as well as trade unionists and their fami- lies were subjected to an intens- ive propaganda campaign designed to convince them that, (1) econ- omic conditions are such that wage increases will inflate prices, (2) that wage increases will price B.C. industry out of the export markets, (3) that trade unions are irresponsible, and have no regard for the public welfare, (4) that trade unions have grown too pow- erful and must be checked, and (5) that strikes should be out- lawed. “Tt will be remembered that the B.C. Federation of Labour found it necessary to issue and circulate a specially prepared publication to counteract malicious and untrue statements of this nature. “Strikes conducted by other un- ions this year in B.C. had been exploited by employers in a man- ner that made them unpopular with the general public, In the degree to which this propaganda influenced community thinking, it influenced families of IWA mem- bers, until steps could be taken through trade union channels to offset distorted facts. Government Intervention “A result which the Union could not ignore was that the employers had aroused sufficient public opinion to demand gov- ernment interference with any strike of major consequence. This made it necessary for the Union to take precautions which were not necessary in previous Duncon Lake Cowichan HANEY DUNCAN BUSINESS GUIDE LOUTET AGENCIES LTD. INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE J, Lindsay Loutet Gordon R. Loutet HANEY BUSINESS GUIDE “ESQUIRE” MEN’S WEAR (Graham Mowatt) Complete Stock of Work and Dress Clothing “THE STORE WITH THE POPULAR BRANDS” PORT ALBERNI BUSINESS GUIDE MacGREGOR’S MEN’S WEAR For Everything A Man Wears +e WORK, SPORT or DRESS 131 Jubilee St. S. Shore Road BRITISH COLUMBIA We Can Afford To Sell The... BEST For LESS! -WOODWARD STORES (PORT ALBERNI) LTD. “YOUR FAMILY SHOPPING CENTRE” Closed Wednesdays All Day Phone 1600 TOUGH CO} INTEST staged by Local 1-252, I WA, at their first Annual Picnic, July 26th, at Confederation b Park, Vancouver, was the wood identification event in which members entering were to name correctly, the seventy-two types of wood veneer, from all parts of the world, seen on the table. . years. There was considerable ground for the suspicion that the employers would not be re- luctant to provoke the IWA into an unpopular and pro- longed strike under handicap- ping circumstances that would accomplish the destruction of the Union’s bargaining strength for many years to come. “All these factors were carefully appraised at the r District Delegated Conference by the 102 delegates in attendance. The dele- gates unanimously expressed con- fidence in the policies followed, and the actions taken to date by the Policy and Negotiating Com- mittees. There was complete agreement that the use of the strike weapon was to be consid- ered only when all other means had failed.” Thanks To 1-424 The Editor: Through the assistance of the IWA and the Prince George and District Labour Council, the Re- tail Food & Drug Clerks Union, Local 1518, have organized and completed successful negotia- tions with a number of major chain food stores in the Prince George area. An agreement was established with. the Super-Valu store - in Prince George in October, 1957, and recently two stores of the Royal Produce Company entered into an area agreement with the Retail Clerks Union. Starting wages for men have been established at $42 per week to $73.50 and $77.70 after 24 months experience in the in- dustry. Starting wages for fe- male clerks have been estab- lished at $39.06 per week to $60.06 after 24 months experi- ence. We have been successful in re- ducing the work week to 42 hours and have obtained, through negotiations, 3 weeks holidays after 10 years service, pay for all statutory holidays, and other fringe benefits. The Area Collective Agree- ment expires in October of this year when we will commence ne- gotiations with Royal Produce and Super-Valu in Prince George. All our endeavors in Organi- zation in the area have not been successful. We have recently lost our Application for Certification for Williams’ Meat and Grocery in Prince George. After the Gov- ernment vote was lost, we or- ganized the Northwest Produce store, owned and operated by the same owner/operator of Wil- liams Meat & Grocery. The em- ployees of Northwest Produce, aware of the previous ote against the Union, have indicated their desire for organization by joining our Local. We are now awaiting Certification from the Department of Labour in Vic- toria. Union members in the Prince George area no longer patronize the Williams Meat & Grocery, but are now supporting those stores who have collective agree- ments with this Local. The Re- tail Food and Drug Clerks Union, Local 1518, request all Union members and their families to watch for our Shop Card in the windows of Royal Produce, 1460 8rd Avenue, Prince George, Roy- al Produce, Hamilton Avenue, South Fort George, and the Su- per-Valu Company in Prince George. They are worthy of your patronage and support. Wm. W. Wells, Secretary-Treasurer Patronize Our Advertisers