gy ge Se ae ~ - ~ haa! » a> the 2nd Issue May, 1961 WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER Congress Reviews World Peace Aims The subject of the Labour Relations Act Amendment Act, 1961 (Bill 42) was the subject of extended consideration at the recent meeting of the Executive Council of the Canadian Labour Congress, stated IWA Regional President Joe Morris in a re- port to the Union. A summary of his report follows. It requires only a glance at the Council’s agenda, he said, to con- vince the onlooker that the Canadian Labour Congress discharges heavy responsibilities for the entire trade union movement. High priority is given to organization, and the topits under discussion ranged from organ- izational difficulties to international affairs. In this agenda, ample demon- stration was given of the fact that this central labour body functions as a vital and integrated part of the Canadian economy. : Because of the effort constantly promoted to organize the unorganized among industrial workers, the Coun- cil dealt with the maintenance of staff in all the provinces, the many new affiliations, and incipient jurisdictional disputes. Wherever differences of opinion arise regarding the lines of organization for affiliated unions, the CLC Executive Council becomes the highest court of appeal. On this oc- casion, thirteen decisions were ren- dered in respect of jurisdictional matters, It should be noted that in each instance, Congress conducts its own on-the-spot investigation, and endeavours to secure mediation of any dispute before rendering judg- ment. Suspension Lifted One such appeal directly affected the IWA in its relations with the Longshoremens’ Union. The suspen- sion of the Longshoremen was lifted for a thirty-day period to enable fur- ther conferences between the unions concerned. Although under the pres- sure of negotiations, it was made possible for President Morris to be present for this hearing. As a matter of fact, when we heard the full ac- count of the meeting, it was realized that at many points, the proceedings had vital significance for the IWA. This session of the Executive Council indicated again that the work of the Canadian Labour Congress is efficiently departmentalized. - The heads of the departments of organiza- tion, legislation, research, public rela- tions, International Affairs, Federa- tions and Labour Councils, Political Education, publications and Govern- ment Employees submitted extensive reports on the major questions dealt with in their respective fields. In ad- dition, the Council has authorized a number of Standing Committees, all of which likewise reported on this occasion. _ Bill 42 Considered Trade union members in British Columbia will be interested to hear that extensive consideration. was given to the constitutionality of Bill 42. It was recognized that the Social Credit Government in this province has seriously restricted collective bar- gaining rights in several of the recent amendments to the Labour Relations Act. Evidently, the Congress intends to continue its national campaign to secure uniform acceptance in all provinces of legislative conditions necessary for effective collective bar- gaining. As might be expected, the amend- ment which prohibits the use of union funds derived from dues for political purposes has been universally con- demned by the entire Canadian trade union movement. The Executive Council of Congress carefully an- alyzed the constitutionality of this section in the Act. Reports from the best-known authorities on constitutional law in the legal profession were considered. There can no longer be any doubt but that substantial ground exists for a legal challenge of this section of the Bill in our courts. In all likeli- hood, the legal controversy now about to open will make history in the legal precedents to be deter- mined. The arguments to be raised-in the courts are of tremendous importance to the Canadian people in respect of the definition of civil rights. Presi- dent Morris gave us the impression that the basic argument will be whether the free exercise of political rights derive from the whole consti- tution of Canada, or whether in some important respects they can be legis- lated on by the province for pro- vincial matters, or by the Parliament of Canada. Unemployment Major Problem The report of the Committee on Wilson Re-Elected In Loggers’ Members of the Loggers’ Local, 1-71, IWA, in their recent mem- | Local bership referendum, returned Bill Wilson with a substantial majority to the office of Local Union President for a third term. The substantial majority accorded President Wilson has been in- terpreted as indicating widespread approval of the administrative policies. Results of the referendum elected: President, W. H. Wilson; Vice-President, James E. Ray; Sec.-Treas., Fred Fieber; Warden, Kris Vognild; Conductor, E. L. Freer; ‘Trustee Dan Otto; Board Members, Martin Hedman, Larry Sloat, W. Kozij. Installation of the newly-elected officers and board members will be held during the regular Executive meeting, June 24th. Local Union’s BILL WILSON LF.B.W.W. Salutes Martyrs The Executive Committee of the International Federation of Building and Woodworkers, meet- ing in Copenhagen on 13 and 14 April 1961, EXPRESSES once more, on behalf of the 2.5 million members of the Union, its frater- nal feelings towards the Spanish workers who defend Democracy. . THEY SALUTE the trade-union- -jsts who, within the boundaries of Spain, continue their struggle against dictatorship and the totalitarian fas- _ gist regime of General Franco and the Ph ; ; » PROTESTS with energy against condemnation of honest Spanish democrats by military courts solely because they defend the principles of democracy and free trade-unionism; an REAFFIRMS its solidarity with the comrades imprisoned in the jails of Franco Spain because of their fidel- ity to the principles of the UGT of Spain that are identical with those of the ICFTU. In this connection the IFBWW ap- peals to all its members to demon- strate their contempt for the Franco regime by consistently refusing to spend their holidays in Spain or Span- ish possessions or participate in tour- ist journeys to that country. An. Idiot We find it convenient to talk as if the computer was very intelli- gent. In fact it’s the most abysmal idiot in the world. We have to tell it the simplest things. ’ . Robert Thorby, in charge of census work for the U.K, Registrar General’s e. - ‘ome aun | iis | palty ‘ j =e / = | | | + { e ut j “4 : - Hy ; Po : . a \ i ca oem es. SHOP STEWARDS OF LOCAL 1-217, IWA, distributing Regional Negotiation Bulletins at the Vancouver Plywood operation of MacMillan - Bloedel & Powell River Limited. Rae Rn cheneed Employment made clear that the trade unions, through the Canadian Labour Congress, have waged an un- relenting battle for policies to allevi- ate unemployment and secure full employment measures. Constructive proposals were formulated and pressed in frequent conferences with the Federal Government, through labour lobbies, and through prop- aganda channels. The Congress has, each month, made a close and accurate study of the unemployment situation. This has been even more serious than openly reported in the press. The Executive Council heard that unemployment in recent months was down only slight- ly. In March, the percentage of the labour force unemployed was 11.1 as compared to 11.3 in February, and 9.8 in March 1960. Political Education A brief but significant report was heard from the Political Education Department. This may be summed up in a short quotation,—“Interest in the New Party has steadily risen to a high pitch, and the affliated unions are making all necessary preparations to attend the Founding Convention, July 31. This has been notable in the discussions of the draft constitution and draft program now in circulation.” One of the’ most significant fea- tures of the Executive Council’s ses- sions was the consideration given to Canada’s external affairs at this time. This was first touched upon in the report of the ‘March meeting of the Executive Board of the ICFTU. Re- ports were heard which deal with developments in such countries as Algeria, Greece, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Latin America, Africa and Asia. International Affairs The nature of the discussions on international affairs clearly indicated that the Canadian Labour Congress has.acted with a high sense of re- sponsibility in expressing views on problems of world tensions. The un- derlying motive of all its activities in this field has been to make a con- structive contribution toward the building of world peace. Reports were heard on discussions with the Secretary of State for Ex- ternal Affairs, the Hon. Mr. Howard Green. The Congress has persisted in advancing the views enunciated at the last convention regarding the use of nuclear weapons in Canada, and. y Canadian forces, the extent of technical assistance to backward countries, and the training of union- ists under the Colombo plan. Canada In OAS The Canadian Labour Congress has taken a lively interest in pro- posals for Canada to join the OAS, the Organization of American States. Canada, at present, is the only nation in the hemisphere remaining outside this regional alliance. President Morris stressed the point that the Executive Council had be- fore it all the relevant material, and all the arguments both for and against Canada’s entry, as obtained from observers close to the situation. He intimated that important pro- nouncements would soon be made, and that these will be based on a thorough knowledge of all the facts. On this point, he suggested that the matter was not urgent, and that on balance, the acceptance by Canada of the vacant chair in OAS would prove beneficial. 2248-50 East Hastings St. Logger Boots + Safety Boots DAVIONS KEEP You TWO FEET AHEAD OF THE GAME. SHOE MANUFACTURING CO. (B.C) LTD. Vancouver, B.C. UNION MADE