° With his trademark booming voice Syd Thompson was a militant defend-
er of workers’ rights.

MWA leader dedicated his
life to working people

Working people in British
Columbia were greatly saddened
when they heard news of the pass-
ing of Syd Thompson. Brother
Thompson, best known for his 21
years as president of IWA, Local 1-
217, passed away on April 8th after
a bout with cancer.

On April 24th over 300 people
gathered at a Memorial Service
held at the Unitarian Church in
South Vancouver to pay tribute to
Brother Thompson.

Syd Thompson led a life dedicated
to working men and women from
the early 30’s until well after his
retirement. He always put the
interests of working men and
women in the forefront.

Doug Evans, retired president of
Local 1-217, and a close friend of
Syd’s told the people at the
Memorial Service that Syd discov-
ered the power of organizing work-
ing people when he was a relief
camp worker in the Depression. His
trademark booming voice command-
ed attention of those during rough
times and also helped gain the ear
of many IWA trade unionists.

Brother Evans also called
Thompson a “classic negotiator”
who aways knew “when there was
one cent more on the table.” Syd is
also remembered by Evans for cre-
ating an atmosphere of friendship
and comraderie in the office.

B.C. Premier Mike Harcourt said
Syd was “one of the great rebels of
our time” and that “each and every
working person in the province
owes a great deal to his memory.”

During Harcourt’s three terms as
Mayor of Vancouver from
1980-1986, Brother Thompson who
retired from Local 1-217’s presiden-
cy in 1979, was involved in helping
ont progressive causes in city poli-

ics.

6/LUMBERWORKER/JUNE, 1992

He helped bring together credit
unions and the trade unions to
build affordable housing for work-
ing people.

Harcourt characterized Thomp-
son as “tough and honest” and said
his “honesty came from great per-
sonal courage that made him such a
valuable source of advice and coun-
sel.”

Jack Munro joined the speakers
and praised Syd for his help in heal-
ing the internal rift in the IWA in
the early 1970's, and for supporting
workers in the province’s interior in

A worker and work-
ers’ representative
all his life, Syd
Thompson was
respected by all
those who met and
knew him

seeking better wage and working

conditions.

“His philosophy on negotiations
was to get the best possible deal you
can for the members’ with the least
amount of trouble,” said Brother
Munro. “Working people enjoy a
better standard of living because of
people like Syd Thompson. He was
a great leader, a dedicated person,
and ywould want us to remember
him.

Stu Hodgson a former financial
secretary in Local 1-217 di the
1950’s, and a close friend of the
Thompson family said Syd “was a
born leader” and a self educated
man who played a key role in B.C.
while getting support for the forma-
tion of the NDP. Syd, Hodgson,
Paddy Neale and others eles con-
vince CCF leader Tommy Douglas
that the NDP could be formed in
1961 in a coalition with the labour
movement.

Hodgson said people from all
walks of life - politicians, manage-
ment, administrators, and workers,
had a great deal of respect for Syd
and will remember him well.

He also said that Syd was a vora-
cious reader who was continually
educating himself on religion, poli-
tics and other subjects.

1963.

Fittingly, Local 1-217 is
donations in memory of to
Syd Thompson Labour 0

Fund c/o the local headquarters
Vancouver.

Donations in memory of
Syd Thompson
can be made to the
Syd Thompson Labour
Scholarship Fund
c/o IWA-CANADA Local 1-217
2859 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, B.C. V5N 4C7

Syd Thompson

1914 -

Syd Thompson led a life dedicated
to working men and women, from
the early 1930’s until well after his
retirement. Syd Thompson always
put the interests of his fellow
human beings in the forefront.

Born in December of 1914 near
Sarnia, Ontario, Syd quit school in
grade 7 to become a travelling man
in the down-and-out days of the
Depression. He first set foot in a
relief camp as a teenager in
Trenton, Ontario, and at age of 18
“rode the rails” to look for work.

During the Depression Syd
formed his deep seeded beliefs, on
social and economic justice —
beliefs that drove him to help work-
ing people all of his life. In 1935 he
played a leading role in organizing
the Great Trek to Ottawa.

Syd spent over 5 years with the
Royal Canadian Engineers in
England and Western Europe as a
private during the Second World
War.

By 1950 he was living and work-
ing in Vancouver where he became
an active member of the
International Woodworkers of
America, beginning as a shop stew-
ard, and then a plant chairman. In
1956 he was elected as a Vice-
President of IWA Local 1-217, then
the largest member local of the
union in North America.

Syd’s reputation as a skilled
negotiator and militant defender of
workers’ rights was further
enhanced in 1958, following his suc-

e Former IWA president Jack Munro praised Syd for his courage and hon-
esty.

1982

cessful election as President of
Local 1-217. For over 21 years, he
worked diligently to improve the
economic, political and human con-
ditions of his fellow lumber industry
workers.

Syd also dedicated much of his
time to the Vancouver and District
Labour Council. He served as presi-
dent of the Council from June, 1969
until after his retirement from the
IWA in 1980. His active commit-
ment to working people was also
exemplified by his participation in a
commission investigating housing
needs and his leading role in estab-
lishing innovative housing pro-
grams.

Syd also served on the Provincial
Tax Commission in the 1970's and
was a Member of the Board of the
Canadian Council of Christians and
Jews.

In June of 1979, in recognition of
his role as “Labour Stateman,” Syd
received the distinction of Doctor of
Laws, HonorisCausa, presented at
Simon Fraser University.

Syd Thompson was always a
leader. He was a vociferous motiva-
tor of his fellow unionists and the
working class. His rebellious and
progressive leadership improved the
lives of thousands of his fellow
workers and their families.

Syd Thompson will always be
fondly remembered.

He is survived by his wife Elaine,
daughter Michelle, and son
Douglas.

ae ge ees