B.C. Tory Urges “RT-To Work” Laws RICHMOND, B.C. — Scratch a Conserva- tive Member of Parliament and you're more than likely going to find an anti-union fanatic. At least the people (and the community newspaper) in this area might think so based on the antics and words of a local MP named Tom Siddon. Siddon is the Conserva- tive member for Richmond-South Delta in the House of Commons. In a recent speech to the Chamber of Commerce here, he suggested that workers in so-called small business should not be allowed to join a union — unless their boss approved of it. But that’s not all he said. Among other things, he suggested the following: — Unions’ bargaining righs should be curtailed drastically (obviously current wage controls are not enough for him) in order to foster a more “unfettered free enterprise;” — Employers should be free to employ whomever they wish, for as low a salary as they want for the first year of employment; — Many of the current collective bargain- ing rights of Canadian working people should be abolished. In a momenmt of unusual candor, Mr. Siddon admitted that heis, at heart, “a bit of a right to worker.” That, of course, is a key phrase. “Right to Work” is a phrase imported form the United States where 21 states have so-called right to work laws which forbid unions from negotiating union shop clauses in contracts. That means there is no obligai- ton for employees who enjoy the benefits of the union to pay dues or join the union. It also means, of course, that the bargain- ing power is reduced to almost zero since the employer can hire any one he wants just before negotiations begin. The effect in the United States has been wages in Right to Work states that average between 25% and 40% less than in those states where there is free collective bargain- ing. Mr. Siddon is not the only member of the Progressive Conservative caucus in the House of Commons who believes in Right to Work for Less. In fact, at least half a dozen members have actually presented private members’ bills in the House advocating Right to Work. The newly elected president of the Conser- vative party — Peter Elzinga — was one of them (see graphic). "WELL YES, THE C.LA. DID PLOT ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS ON VARIOUS POLITICAL LEADERS, BUT THERE WAS CERTAINLY NO HARM INTENDED... COLLEGE MEDIA SERVICES: IWA International Wins Major Court Battle CROSSETT, ARKANSAS — A twelve- year legal battle by the IWA culminated on February Ist when Georgia-Pacific depos- ited $2,666,667.00 into an interest-bearing account to be divided later this year by about 1500 black G-P employees who were victims of hiring and employment discrimi- nation since 1969. The bulk of the settle- ment, which should reach $3 million or more, will be shared by 300 to 400 workers who are still employed. The rest will go to about 1,000 former employees. They are, or were, represented by IWA local 5-475. The settlement, which applies to a single community, is the largest of its kind ever in the South. “It’s great news,” said International President Keith Johnson. “It shows that the IWA is willing to keep fighting for the interest of its members. I believe that [WA members, black and white together, in Crossett and across the South will take heart from this victory and continue to fight to improve their wages, hours and working conditions. We must never forget our basic philosophy: an injury to one is an injury to all.” Socred Policy Kills! In the table below, note that fatalities in the B.C. forest industry, per meter of wood harvested, decreased steadily from 1973 to 1976. That reflected NDP Government Policy to increase safety inspections and penalty assess- ments. The Soereds decreased inspections and penalties (by 50% from 1976 to 1978). __ The results are plain to see: steadily increasing fatality and permanent disability rates. B.C. FOREST INDUSTRY ACCIDENTS (Logging, Sawmills, Pulp & Paper Mills, Shingle) Wage Loss Permanent Year Accidents Disability Fatalities 1973 9944 385 69 1974 9262 516 49 1975 7290 571 39 1976 9182 576 38 1977 10296 653 40 1978 13453 860 47 1979 15607 852 53 1980 14820 943 56 1981 : 12506 826 38 723 53 Timber Fatalities per Permanent Harvested million Disabilities per (cu. meters) cu. meter million cu. meter 70,137,000 .9838 5.4893 60,066,000 8158 8.5906 90,077,000 -7788 11.4024 69,524,000 5466 8.2849 69,970,000 5717 9:3326 75,164,000 6253 11.4416 76,194,000 6956 11.1820 74,654,000 -7501 12.6316 61,818,000 6147 13.3618 56,230,000 9411 12.8650 IWA General Counsel Jim Youngdahl who, along with noted civil rights attorney John W. Walker of Little Rock, shepherded the case through a maze of setbacks and appeals, said “the wisdom of the IWA’s International Executive Board in adopting the Affirmative Action Program in 1972 could not be better illustrated than in the outcome of this case.” “Not only are victims of discrimination going to receive compensation but the goal was accomplished without cost to the union,” Youngdahl said. The original IWA charge was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Com- mission in June, 1972. It alleged across-the- board discrimination by G-P. When the EEOC charge and ordinary collective bargaining failed to produce the changes that the IWA believed the law required, suit was filed in U.S. District Court on january 16, 1973. It joined a similar lawsuit filed on behalf of several G-P employees by Attorney Walker. During the long history of the case, the IWA obtained a landmark decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals in St. Louis regarding the right of unions to bring job discrimina- tion suits. © Chemainus To Reopen? As this issue goes to print, Local 1-80 officers, continue discussions with MacMil- lan Bloedel about resuming all or partial operations at the 650-man Chemainus Mill. Meanwhile, NDP Leader Dave Barrett has offered that, if an NDP Government is returned May 5th, the Provincial Govern- ment could participate with MB in a joint venture. The IWA, CPU and PPWC have all urged that unless MB soon agrees to reopen the mill, the timber granted to them under condition of operating the mill should be removed. MB has recently announced increases in its Brazil investment, a large capital pro- gram in Alabama, and virtual elimination of its BC capital program.