IWA Canada

VOLUME 53, No. 6

BROADWAY 0c PRINTERS LTD.

OCTOBER, 1988

WA Canada kicks off its 2nd
annual National Convention Sep-
tember 26 in Vancouver. It has
been a year of consolidation for
the IWA. A year to stabilize after
both the merger of east and west
and the formation of a national
union.

During the year there have been great strides made
in organizing new members. In particular the
Kapuskasing area, and Thunder Bay have been active.

Heading into this convention there are two or three
major issues facing IWA delegates as they take their
seats.

The major issue will be the need to properly finance
the national office. There are now major demands

being made right across the country. The organizing
department is stretched beyond its limit and overall
there is a need for more and better services for the
membership.

IWA Canada President Jack Munro, “as a national
organization we have to operate with something more
than a zero bank balance. We don’t need a lot more
money but, we do need to get the national office in a
situation where it is not having to borrow constantly
from local unions. We want to implement some new
initiatives but without the extra cash we're stalled.”

Money is also needed to establish IWA Canada asa
credible voice right across the country. At the present

See page 2 NATIONAL

Permit No. 5035
Vancouver, B.C.

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Health and Safety Conference

In conjunction with the 2nd Annual Convention being
held in Vancouver, IWA-Canada will be holding its 2nd
annual Health and safety Conference.

The conference takes place just prior to the convention
on September 23-24 at the New World Harbourside Hotel.
The conference will be dealing with a number of impor-
tant issues affecting the day to day health and working
conditions of IWA members across the country. Of
paramount concern is the still unacceptable numbers of
serious injuries and deaths in the industry.

IWA-Canada Health and Safety Director Verna Ledger
says, that fatalities in the industry will be the number one
priority. “We will be debating a resolution that calls for
the government and Workers’ compensation Board to
co-sponsor a conference on fatalities. Last year 34 died in
the woods. This year we have already seen 20 die, says
Ledger.”

The deaths are wasted lives. No longer can we afford to
accept the accepted wisdom that it is dangerous work,
that deaths are just part of the cost of doing business. If
that is the case, why is it that 85% of those deaths took
place in non-union companies? And, why has a company
like International Forest Products, (Whonnock) gone
from one of the worst in the industry to being one of the
best? Because, they have the will to stop this needless
waste. They put time and money into safety programs
and have saved themselves plenty through reduced
compensation payments and lost time. It can be stopped.

The conference will also be looking at the impact of
Free Trade on Health and Safety. There will be discussion
on the Workplace Hazardous Information system
(WHMIS).

See page 8 HEALTH

NATIONAL CONVENTION

A LITTLE

RESPECT

GOES A
LONG WAY

Negotiations 1988

On August 5 after months of
intensive bargaining, the B.C. For-
est Industry and IWA coast locals
signed a collective agreement. Two
days later an agreement was signed
covering both the southern and
northern interior and independent
‘companies.

This marked what is hoped to bea
new era in bargaining in the B.C.
Forest Industry. Gone were negotia-
tions broken off with no explana-
tion, gone were the hardline posi-
tions designed to force a strike. They
were replaced by good honest bar-
gaining. Tough positions, dealt with
from positions of respect.

You could tell right from the start

See page 2 RESPECT