2, B. Cc. LUMBER WORKER CLC Protests Intervention British Columbia affairs received considerable attention at the recent session of the Executive Council of the Cana- dian Labour Congress, reported Joe Morris on return. Vigor- ous opposition was expressed at the methods of government intervention taken in strike action on the C.P.R. ferries and the Black Ball ferries. Following is the text of a state- ment issued by the CLC Executive Council in regard to the legislation dealing with the C.P.R. strike: “The Canadian Labour Con- gress takes strong exception to the compulsory arbitration which has once again been invoked to restrict the right of workers to strike. By intervening through an Act of Parliament in the B.C. strike of the C.P.R. coast steam- ship service, the federal govern- ment has compelled workers to return to work by government decree, has ordéred union officers to declare invalid a strike properly called under existing legislation and has provided for compulsory arbitration in order to settle issues in dispute. Inyasion of Ci Liberty “This has resulted in an invasion of civil liberties and created dan- gerous precedents for arbitrary government actions on future oc- casions. Workers have been re- quired to work against their will which amounts to involuntary ser- vitude. Workers engaged in legi- timate strike action have been forced to refrain from such action. “Unions have been required to negotiate with ‘the knowledge that failure to reach agreement would result in compulsory arbitration, with the government reserving the right to determine which issues should be arbitrated. The whole fabric of voluntarism which is characteristic of labour manage- ment relations in a free society has thus been seriously en- dangered. Compulsion Opposed “The organized Canadian labour movement has repeatedly gone on record against compulsory arbitra- tion. It has pointed out that where compulsory arbitration has been enacted it has failed to provide the industrial peace that was ostensib- ly its objective. The Canadian Labour Congress reaffirms this position and emphatically protests the action ‘taken by the govern- ment in this strike. “Despite the alleged seriousness of the situation which presumably prompted the government to act as it did, the Congress not only questions the effectiveness of the remedy but believes it to be worse than the cause. “Against the discomfort and in- convenience which it was claimed resulted from the strike must be measured the breaches of civil liberties already referred to and the apprehension which must exist in the minds of both unions and employers as to their future ability to resolve their differences with- out government interference. Com- pulsion has not proven to be and cannot hope to be a satisfactory substitute for voluntary agreement between labour and management. Repeal Act “The Canadian Labour Congress calls upon the government to re- peal the Act in question and re- store to the parties their otherwise legitimate freedom of action. It seeks a commitment in clear and unequivocal language that the government will not, on any simi- lar occasion, set aside the normal processes of labour disputes settle- metn in order to impose settlement by government decree. “Anything less will cause the Congress seriously to question the government’s good faith in its attitude to organized labour.” Black Ball Strike The Congress Council recom- mended that the B.C. Federation of Labour protest the use of the Civil Defence Act by the Pro- vincial Government to intervene in ‘the Black Ball Ferry strike. The bus driver asked one of his regular passengers: “Get home all right last night?” “Yeah. Why?” “You got up to give a lady your seat and you were the only people on the bus.” Duncan Lake Cowichan DUNCAN BUSINESS GUIDE LOUTET AGENCIES LTD. INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE J. Lindsay Loutet Gordon R. Loutet HANEY BUSINESS GUIDE " “ESQUIRE” MEN’S WEAR a 131 Jubilee St. S. Shore Road (Graham Mowatt) Complete Stock of Work and Dress Clothing “THE STORE WITH THE POPULAR BRANDS” HANEY * Phone 1600 PORT ALBERNI BUSINESS GUIDE MacGREGOR’S MEN’S WEAR For Everything A Man Wears WORK, SPORT or DRESS > WOODWARD STORES (PORT ALBERNI) LTD. “YOUR FAMILY SHOPPING CENTRE” Closed Wednesdays All Day BRITISH COLUMBIA We Can Afford To Sell The... BEST For LESS! Hours: 9 - 5:30 SEATS on Mexico City street cars were at a premium following the riots that broke out in August, over attempts by the private bus lines to raise fares. During the riots only the Government transportation sys- tem was left to cope with the more than 4,00,000 people living there. Assistant Secretary of O.R.I.T., Jim Bury, former Secre- tary of the old CCL Vancouver Labour Council, now stationed in Mewico City, was a witness to the recent riots there over the transportation companies’ attempts to raise fares. The marked contrast in methods employed by the public in Mexico City, as compared to the Public of Vancouver, in pro- testing rate increases, Jim believed, would be of interest to readers of the B.C. Lumber Worker, so he submitted the follow- ing graphic account of the riots for publication. By JIM BURY Wednesday and Thursday of last week, the authorities of the City of Mexico gave permission to the privately-owned bus lines to raise their fares. In the case of a first-class bus, the increase was from 30 to 35 centavos (approximately 3 cents) now, with an additional 5-cent increase when new busses are put in service; and for second-class busses from 20 to 25 centavos. This second increase was granted on the understanding that new busses, already purchased and on display, 1,500 in total, would go into operation and that the old busses would be retired to the country and smaller towns of Mexico. The bus drivers’ union also made the demand that the drivers receive a substantial wage in- crease amounting to 5 pesos (about 40 cents) a day. Increase Opposed The general public and particu- larly the students were opposed to the increase, particularly since 1-357 Fishing Derby Local 1-357, IWA., New Westminster, have an- nounced that the Local will hold their Annual Fishing Derby, September 28th, at the Edgewater Bar, on the Fraser River. Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish caught and the most fish caught. Top prize is the Rae Eddie Trophy, awarded for the largest fish taken, during the Derby hours. Tickets are available from any of the Social Com- mittee members and the cost is one dollar for adults and fifty cents for children. none of the shiny new busses are yet in operation and the fares have been increased on the old equip- ment. On Friday evening the students took the law into their own hands. A bus depot was set on fire. Hun- dreds of busses were put out of commission, Molotoy cocktails were hurled, and bus drivers and students had pitched battles re- sulting in many injuries and one student reportedly killed, Over 300 busses were comman- deered by student drivers and driven to the University campus LOGGERS’ AND LUMBERMEN’S CHOICE 5 For Over 35 Years si , or \ Watson's Leather A Gloves Union Made by JOHN WATSON LTD. VANCOUVER, B.C. Bus Fare Increase Stirs Outbreak In Mexico City where they were guarded by stu- dent patrols. The most daring students painted “student busses at the old rates” and defiantly drove the busses through a stranded city of 4,000,000 persons. Taxis Loaded Trolley-busses and street cars operated by the city government are not affected and are doing a roaring business, with passengers clinging to the sides and many perched on top. Taxis are loaded with four to six passengers, Although order has been par- tially restored today, busses are still held by the University stu- tends on the campus, while hun- dreds of police and military are standing by doing very little to exert the authority of the State. There seems to be reluctance on the part of the Government to move in and act against the stu- dents. Perhaps this is just looked on as a little prank, an outlet of su- perfluous youthful energy. We understand that nobody will be held responsible for the damage to the busses and the owners must assume the cost of repairs them- selves. Police Harass Strikers SHELTER BAY (CPA)—A Quebec Provincial Police de- tachment of 22 men will shortly be augmented by 11 more, bring- ing the count to 33 police and 26 strikers. The men, members of the Syn- dicate of Porlier Employees (CCCL) walked off their jobs a short time ago to protest a name- change shuffle by the company. Name Change The firm recently changed names — from Porlier Transport Registered to Porlier Transport Limited — and now claims the union no longer has the right to bargain for the employees. _ The Quebec Labor Relations Board cancelled certification of the union and has not yet ruled on a new application from the union to act as agent for employ- ees of the “new” company. Four strikers have been arrested for drunkeness, disorderly conduct and intimidation, and four others for intimidation, damaging