SPEGIAL ISSUE:

SAFETY & oe

Vol. XLVIII No. 7 VANCOUVER, B. Cc.

Ea EE

ISSN 0049-7371 AUGUST, 1980

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

By JACK MUNRO
Regional President

The printing of this Special Safety and Health edition of the “Western Canadian
Lumber Worker” comes at a particularly crucial time for Woodworkers in B.C. Not
since the early days of our history as a union, has the fatality and injury rate in the
forest industry reached the tragic proportions of the last two years. Crippling
injuries and serious health problems are increasing at a frightening rate, and these
permanently disabled members are often being tossed out onto the streets with
minimal pensions or welfare as their reward.

No amount of name calling, or pointing fingers of blame will solve the problem.
Only a priority commitment and dedication by Union, Employers, Government and
the WCB to reversing this trend, will achieve what we desire — “The right of every
worker to a safe and healthy work environment.”

This Special Safety and Health issue is dedicated to that goal.

THE IMPOSSIBLE
DREAM — OR

JACK MUNRO IS | | )
a

By VERNA LEDGER

Regional Council No. 1
Director Safety and Health

Sam walked through the mill gate his

lunch bucket tucked tightly under his arm.

He braced himself for the noise which

usually assaulted his ears as he entered the

plant area, but there was none. He looked

around, “what the heck, had the mill shut

down for some reason?” He was sure he

hadn’t made a mistake, this wasn’t a holi-

day or a weekend. But where was the blue

haze that usually surrounded him as he

walked towards the door? Where was the hot

blast of air that smelled of burnt wood and

irritated his nostrils? Why was the air clear

and the only noise a slight hum from inside?

The air outside was hot, it was the middle of — “~~
se oe he wiped me ate nears he ae Bo a ecaieees Sona
hallucinating from the heat. Sam walke

closer to the door, he could hear voices, VERNA LEDGER
people talking, laughing, singing — “God,
what was going on?”

As he walked through the doorway, he felt
the cool air inside, and suddenly his eyes
opened wide, where was he, he must have
wandered into the wrong plant. Sam looked
around, the walls were bright, covered with
some type of acoustical material, in a burnt SEE ‘DREAM’ PAGE TWO

Third Troisiéme
class classe
PERMIT No. 2075
VANCOUVER, B.C |

Vancouver, £.C.

orange colour, the ceiling too was covered in
the same material, only white. The beams
seemed to be varnished and they were clean,

not like he remembered them, always

7859 Commercial Dr..

RETURN REQUESTED

THE LUMBER WORKER