“CONVENTION”

Ed Broadbent, National Leader of the
New Democratic party and a guest speaker
at the Convention, proposed in his address
that if the NDP were in government they
would free $2.2 billion for job creation with-
out adding to the country’s $24 odd billion
deficit.

He stated that everyone earning over
$40,000 a year should pay higher taxes,
Taxes on industry would also be raised,
government advertising would be cut as
well as embassy construction in foreign
countries.

These measures, he said, would provide
an immediate $2.2 billion which would goa
long way to alleviate Canada’s unemploy-
ment problem.

The Convention, while obviously con-
cerned over the economy, also gave top
priority to the Union’s opposition to the
export of round logs and the industry’s
demand for wage concessions.

The delegates were unanimous in their
opposition to both measures. Speaker after
speaker blasted the forest companies for
exporting saw logs when thousands of
sawmill workers are on UIC or Welfare.

They also expressed the justifiable
concern that the companies would continue
to export logs after the economy recovers if
they could get away with doing so.

On the question of giving the companies
wage concessions next June 15th, the
answer from the Convention was a
resounding “NO”. The delegates pointed out
that taking wage cuts wouldn’t sell any
more lumber or put unemployed members
back to work.

It was also pointed out that the forest
companies during their good years didn’t
break their necks to share their profits with
their employees.

Another resolution which received
unanimous support from the delegates was
one submitted by the Regional executive
board proposing a merger between
Regional Council No. 1 and Regional
Council No. 2.

Exploratory talks on the subject have
been under way for some time between the
International and two Regional Councils.
The proposition also won approval when
presented to the delegates attending
Regional Council No. 2’s Convention in
October.

When the merger plans are finalized a
referendum ballot will be conducted in both
Hecional Councils for membership appro-
val.

Other major resolutions called for:

e The Regional officers to press the fed-
eral government to raise weekly UIC benef-
its to $300 and to eliminate the two-week
waiting period.

e The provincial and federal govern-
ments to immediately reduce interest rates.

e The Regional executive board to give
serious consideration to initiating a demon-
stration in Victoria to show the IWA’s
concern about layoffs and housing crisis.

© The federal government to immediately
initiate programmes and policies that will
relieve unemployment and achieve full
employment levels.

© The provincial government to rescind
its legislation dealing with union rights on
secondary picketing.

© The IWA to pursue its long standing

aim of one union in wood.
_°© The Regional Council continue to
inform union members about the PPWC and
its negative and destructive side of this
cannibalistic organization.

© The Regional officers to do everything
possible to convince all Local Unions to
affiliate to the NDP.

A resolution submitted by Local 1-425
Williams Lake entitled “Local Issues”
sparked a vigorous debate on the Conven-
tion floor. At issue was the demand that
local issues should be discussed and
resolved by Local Unions prior to a memo-
randum of agreement being signed. The
matter was finally resolved by changing the
wording of the resolution so that the Nego-
tiating Committee would not be boxed in by
the word “resolved.”

Other guest speakers included Jim Kin-
naird, president of the B.C. Federation of
Labour; Jean Marie Bedard, president of
Regional Council No. 2; Keith Johnson,
IWA International president; Vancouver
Mayor Mike Harcourt; International first
vice-president Fernie Viala; Region No. 3,
president Red Russell; Dave Barrett, NDP
Leader of the Opposition in B.C.

Roger Stanyer, as president of Local 1-80
the host Local, gave the opening address to
the Convention.

Due to the poor economic times, the
Region eliminated the Annual Banquet and
dance and instead had an informal get
together of delegates and friends which was
hailed a huge success.

NEW
OFFICERS

FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT BOB BLANCHARD

THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT ROGER STANYER

SECRETARY-TREASURER GERRY STONEY

Gerry, now forty years of age, firstentered
the IWA in 1959 for a short period of time
prior to the industry-wide strike. He
retumed in June 1961 as an employee of
Canadian Forest Products Plywood and
Hardboard Division.

SEE “BACKGROUND” PAGE THREE

2/Lumber Worker/November, 1982