The Convention was marked by the announced
retirement of third national vice-president
Fernie Viala, an [WA activist for over 42 years.
Brother Viala received several standing
ovations from delegates. Full story in

future Lumberworker.

The deep economic recession that has hit the
forest industry has made organizing new members
an even more difficult task.

During the last year ending September 1, and on
a Nation wide basis the IWA certified 986 new
members in total. Of that number 742 were actively
organized in certification votes and 244 members
joined under voluntary certification agreements for
independents and owner operators.

Ina report to the IWA’s National Convention the
Organizing Report, delivered by former Organizing
Director John Smithies, it was noted that great
potential still exists. However the economic down-
turn “has not escaped the non-union sector causing
the same workplace insecurities as experienced by
our members” stated the report.

“Those insecurities have effectively created an
attitude of low expectations among most workers
resulting in a reduced desire and an increasing fear
of retaliation or job loss by fighting for improve-
ments in their current conditions.”

The report noted that the workers’ apprehension
in combination with labour laws that allow employ-
ers to interfere are continually frustrating the

ability of the IWA to organize.

“Because of a continuing decline in the forest
industry base we have seen a greater acceptance by
many Locals to seek membership in non traditional
areas” stated the report. “Although this trend will
likely continue we must not lose sight of both the
remaining and emerging non-union, wood related.
operators, particularly the value-added and silvi-
cultural sectors.”

In the past several years the IWA has encouraged

locals to establish organizing programs with part
and full-time staff to coordinate, research, and
operate organizing in the local unions. The National
Organizing department will continue to help organ-
izing drives, realizing that the most successful
organizing campaigns usually have local people
involved.

© Darrel Wong @ Bill Routley

In 1991, the National Union, along with locals
turned its attention toward silvicultural workers in
B.C., and initiated a long-term program to repre-
sent this new sector of workers.

National Organizer Rick McRae along with mem-
bers of the Pacific Reforestation Workers Associa-
tion have met with some success in signing up tree
planters in coastal jurisdictions of the IWA.

Organizing in Western and Alberta has been an
uphill battle with a great deal of employer interfer-
ence during organizing drives.

National second vice-president, and officer
responsible for the organizing department, Neil
Menard said the two areas with the highest poten-
tial for organizing are Alberta and Ontario.

“The organizers are aware that there’s going to be
some changes, that we're all going to have to hustle
and get the job done,” said Brother Menard.

Ontario still holds tremendous potential for
organizing in the secondary manufacturing indus-
try. However the union must overcome a low iden-
tity factor and a poor economic climate to organize
into this area. F

The Union is awaiting changes in labour legisla-
tion from the Ontario NDP government which will
enhance organizing opportunities.

The Convention was also informed that IWA-
CANADA leadership classes at the CLC Harrison
Winter School will continue to cover the topic of
organizing. tl

The Organizing Department is working on devel-
oping a program to put on in various locals through
the coming year, to train active members in most
facets of organizing.

The Organizing Department stated: “Although
the employers tremendous legal and economic
advantages have caused us to fall short of our
organizing goals this past year, we must not dwell
on those disadvantages. Rather, we must be even
more determined to overcome them by developing
new and innovative methods to gain support among
the unorganized.”

In the Organizing Committee report at the con-
vention, the local unions were encouraged to pro-
mote the training of local rank and file organizers.

Murray Cantelon of the Loggers’ Local said: “I
think every one of us should do everything we can,
if we know there’s going to be an organizing drive in
our area, to get as much information to the orga-
nizer as possible.”

“We've got a whole wealth of experience, all kinds
of people who have been part of this organization
for a long time who are finding themselves unem-
ployed,” said Local 1-80 president Bill Routley.
“There is no reason that we shouldn’t try to utilize
some of that experience and get people involved in
helping this organization to grow.”

“If you're going to organize people, you've got to
talk to them,” said Darrel Wong of the Loggers’
Local. “You've got to convince them that they want
to be members of this organization.”

Since last convention John Smithies has stepped
down from his position as National Organizing
Director and organizer Lyle Pona has taken over
that job. Brother Smithies was present at this
year’s convention to submit the organizing report.

————— sl

10/LUMBERWORKER/NOVEMBER, 1991