via thewestern canadian

lumber worker

ISSN 0049-7371

[Wor A. |

Vol. XLX No. 2

VANCOUVER, B.C.

One of the best conventions on record was the concensus of most delegates. The majority of the time was spent on
constructive approaches to the problems faced by the Union and its members during the present difficult economic times.

GLC'’s PROPOSAL TO

REVIVE THE ECONOMY

One of the most important first steps that
could be taken to revive the Canadian
economy would be to reduce mortgage
interest rates. To this end the Canadian
Labour Congress is proposing that the
Government of Canada re-direct the new
money flowing into its various superannua-

es
Third Troisitme
class classe

PERMIT No. 2075
VANCOUVER, B.C.

iho

Sth Floor, 1285 West Pender Street,

Vancouver, B.C. V6E4B2

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THE LUMBER WORKER

tion accounts and use this money to make
mortgage loans. The CLC recommends that
this be done until the process of economic
recovery is well underway and/or until
mortgage rates return to levels that are
reasonable by historical standards. The
CLC also urges the federal government to
persuade provincial governments that
operate superannuation plans on financial
principles that are similar to those used in
the federal government’s superannuation
plans to adopt the same measures.

Background to the Proposal: Between
August, 1978 and September, 1981 nominal
mortgage rates increased by 108 per cent
from 10.31 per cent to 21.46 per cent.-Real
mortgage rates increased from 0.9 per cent
to 9.0 per cent. This remarkable increase in
the interest rates charged on conventional
five-year mortgages has had some espe-
cially undesirable effects. It has contributed
heavily to an incredible reduction in new
home construction. The number of new
homes completed in Canada dropped by
71,500, or 29 percent between 1978 and 1981.
The drop in housing construction has also
contributed to a drop in the demand for the
output of major supply industries such as
the wood industry, the home appliance
industry, and so on. In addition, many home
owners have not been able to bear the cost of
renegotiating their mortgages and havehad
to give up their homes. Those home owners
who can bear the cost of renegotiated
mortgages find that the cost of their existing
housing has increased substantially. In
other words, their real standard of living is
reduced by higher mortgage rates.

From the CLC’s point of view, providing
mortgage loans at interest rates that are
below those now prvailing in the market will

SEE “ECONOMY” PAGE TWELVE

REGIONAL
CONVENTION
PRODUCTIVE

Delegates attending the Forty-Fifth
Annual Regional Convention in Vancouver,
October 18-22, quickly settled down to
business in what has been described as one
of the most productive conventions in years.

It was evident from the first day that the
delegates were too deeply concerned over the
economy and the state of the forest industry
to play politics while so many of their
brothers were out of work.

This was reflected in all offices being
unopposed during the election of officers on
the Thursday morning. Re-elected by
acclamation were president Jack Munro;
first vice-president Bob Blanchard; second
vice-president Neil Menard. Roger Stanyer,
president of Local 1-80, was elected non full
time third vice-president, and Gerry Stoney,
president of Local 1-357, was elected
secretary-treasurer.

Doug Evans, president of Local 1-217 and
Bill Schumaker of Local 1-423 were re-
elected International board members. Earl
Foxcroft, president of Local 1-85, was re-
elected alternate board member.

Kevin Kelly, financial secretary of Local
1-417, was elected six-year trustee.

The delegates citing high interest rates
and the lack of action by the senior levels of
government for the main cause of the
country’s horrendous unemployment,
bitterly attacked the Liberal and Social
Credit governments.

The policies of the Reagan government
were also soundly condemned for adding to
the worsening economy in Canada and the
US.

SEE “CONVENTION” PAGE TWO

@
UIG NOTICE

The Employment and Immigration Com-
mission has notified the CLC that effective
September 5th, 1982, Regulations 58 and 59
(Allocation of Earnings) have been changed
so that several forms of earnings, when paid
or payable on separation from employment,
are no longer earnings for UI purposes.

The following payments are not insurable
and are not earnings for UI purposes:
—Vacation pay paid or payable at separa-

tion when the reason for separation is not

a vacation period, holiday period or

general continuous holiday period.
—Wages in lieu of notice paid or payable to

an employee who is not reinstated.
—Bonuses (excluding production bonuses).
—Retroactive increases in wages or salary.
—Retroactive payment of wages or other
money paid or payable because of a labour
arbitration award or court judgement to
an employee who is not reinstated.

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