From Page 1 vy “Threat involving the Union of which he is a member, In a statement on the matter, IWA District President Joe Mor- ris said: u,, Morris’ Statement “It is quite obvious that the Provisions of the Labour Relations Act have been followed in this in- stance, as in countless other bar- gaining unit applications. The cir- cumstances, as reported, do not warrant that any exception should be made in the case of Mr, Pitre and the Sierra Development Co. “In my opinion, he has entirely misconstrued the intent of the Legislature in the enactment of the Labour Relations Act. The stature protects the interests of the employer even more adequately than those of the employees. The Proper Method “Certification originally rested on the selection by a majority of the employees of a legal bargain- ing agency. Collective bargaining is an established national policy, and is the democratic and orderly way to determine employer-em- ployee relations in respect of wages and working conditions. “Certification, which must be followed by the usual bargaining procedures does not rule out con- sideration of Mr. Pitre’s profit- sharing plan. As a matter of fact, it could provide for a plan that would be mutually satisfactory. “The alternative course, pro- posed by Mr. Pitre, if introduced inté industry generally, would des- troy all hopes of orderly adjust- ment of labour-management rela- tions, and invite outright anarchy in this field. “Tt is on this basis that the en- tire trade union movement must support the position taken by the Steelworkers, and oppose a moye, which can only be regarded by organized labour as an attempt to revert to the employer policies of of fifty years ago, which denied employees any right to negotiate the terms of their employment.” ae PANY CREW, at Rocl Alberta 1-207 Steadily Raises Contract Conditions IWA organization in Alberta is steadily raising contract conditions for the lumber workers in that province in a degree that offers a striking contrast with conditions which existed before the advent of the IWA, reports Financial Secretary Bill Gray, Local 1-207 TWA, recently. Local 1-207 IWA has been suc- cessful in negotiating and signing a contract with Edwards Lumber Co. which gave all employees an increase of 15 cents per hour and three or four categories in excess of 15 cents per hour; maintenance of membership and compulsory check-off; four paid statutory holidays and the other standard provisions contained in the rest of the contracts in Alberta. Atlas Lumber Co. A Memorandum of Agreement kas been signed with Atlas Lum- ber Co, at Rocky Mountain House which will give the crew an in- crease of four cents per hour on September Ist, an additional three cents on April 1, 1959 which brings this operation in line with the other contracts in the lumbering industry and establishes the base rate for labour at $1.22 on April 1, 1959. These two contracts are for a one year duration. The Local Union has also open- ed negotiations with Western Ply- wood (Alberta) Ltd., Zeidler Ply- wood Corporation and Imperial Lumber Co, Ltd., the latter com- pany has six operations under con- tract and application has been made for certification for the seventh, North Western Pulp North Western Pulp & Power Ltd. resumed operations early in July. The Local Union was suc- cesful in negotiating amendments to the existing contract based on one year duration. Obed Lumber Co. Ltd. The Local Union has been ne- gotiating with Obed Lumber for some considerable time and re- ceived the report of the concilia- tion officer this week. The Local Union rejected the conciliation of- ficer’s report and asked the govern- ment to set up a Conciliation Board. This employer who has been in the lumber industry in Alberta for years still proposed to pay 85 cents an hour for labour for the first thirty days of em- ployment and has consistently re- fused to meet the conditions ne- gotiated with the other operations where the Local Union has con- tracts. Congress Acts To Meet New Crisis Keen disappointment on the part of Canadian Labour Congress representatives in attendance with the conclusions reached at the National Winter Employment Conference was indicated at the recent meeting of the Executive Council of the Congress, reported, District President Joe Morris, follow- ing his attendance at the Ottawa 4-day session. He intimated that the Congress would spearhead a vigorous campaign to prevent any recurrence of the unemployment crisis experi- = aN SAME B.C. FAVOURITE \ BUT STILL THE \ WHEREVER FINE BEER is] S 7 aes a= ——_ — ENJOYED! —- Now brewed in accordance with the exacting “‘quality control’ standards established during the past two-thirds of a century by its parent organization, the Calgary Brewing & Malting Co. Ltd. CARIBOU BREWING COMPANY LTD, Breweries: PRINCE GEORGE AND PRINCETON layed by the Liquor Control ‘of British Columbia enced last winter. It had been disclosed by govern- ment officials, he stated, that eco- nomic losses caused by seasonality of employment totalled more than $300 million, Proposed Remedies Mainly the suggestions offered by the conference were under the following heads, i! The use of economic incentives such as accelerated depreciation, preferential rates of interest, and lending facilities to promote winter scheduling of construction and de- velopment. A general publicity campaign to continue the policy of moulding Canadian attitudes with regard to the feasibility of winter construc- tion activity. A thorough survey to determine the true nature and scope of sea- sonality of employment in Canada. Other specific suggestions in- cluded insistence by Federal and Provincial Governments on the scheduling of construction and ordering by Governments and Crown corporations so as to stimu- late winter employment. Some favored the development again of a “shelf of public works” and that a survey be made of projects readied by municipal and pro- vincial governments but with re- gard to which they were unable to proceed because of lack of funds. One city reported a back-log of works projects amounting to $850 million with borrowing powers not in excess of $30 million. Trade Unions Active Vancouver Labour Council has called a conference of all Secre- taries, Business Agents, and staff members of affiliated Local Unions to discuss plans to meet the de- veloping menace of unemploy- ment. The B.C. Federation of Labour will review the situation in October at a pre-convention conference re- presentative of the entire trade union movement in the province. This will be a prelude to decisions by the convention itself, which are expected to be of more than ordi- nary significance, On all sides there appears to be a determination that earlier action than was taken last year will be necessary to arouse the public to Seaway Check Made Teamster Chieftan Hoffa will have to reckon with the Canadian Labour Congress in his plan as announced recent- ly to form alliances which will bring all union activity on and around the St. Lawrence Seaway under his control. The question of jurisdiction as it affects the Congress affiliates was well ventilated at the recent meet- ing of the Executive Council, stated Vice-President Joe Morris in his report to B.C. unions, Action that may be necessary has been placed in the hands of the Congress officers with power to act in the name of the central labour body in accordance with constitutional provisions: Almost simultaneously, Presi- dent George Meany announced in the name of the AFL-CIO, a ban on all alliances with the expelled union in the U.S. * This decision was reached by the AFL-CIO Executive Council in its recent sessions at Unity House, Pa., as being in accordance with policies laid down at the last con- vention. It was reported eariler that President Hoffa had made arrange- ments with other “unions which would give him control of this key to marine transportation on the East coast, to be used as a lever the pending danger. against the AFL-CIO,