_ EDITORIAL

NO DELAY

DELEGATES attending the recent annual Regional

Convention displayed deep concern over the prob-
lem relating to technological change in the woodworking
indusiry, More important still, there was evidence of a
firm resolve to take practical steps that will offset men-
acing features of rapid mechanization.

A limited measure of protection may be secured for
workers whose job security is in jeopardy, by negoti-
ations with the employers. But repeatedly, the warning
was sounded that workers must also look beyond the
bargaining table for public action that will ensure a just
distribution of the benefits of automation.

Tommy Douglas reported on research which re-
vealed that automation is wiping out 4,000 jobs every
week in Canada, He warned that the rate of displace-
ment was rapidly accelerating. It was also indicated
in his remarks that Canadian governments have failed
to take the measures which in European countries
have kept technological unemployment to a minimum.

Guest speakers, including International President
A. F. Hartung and Past Regional President Joe Morris,
pointed to ithe handwriting on the wall for thousands of
workers, now employed, whose job security is being
undermined. The same theme has been re-emphasized
at the Annual Convention of the B.C. Federation of
Labour. There is no longer any illusion that automation
will automatically right matters for displaced workers.

The convention determined on immediate steps that
will do much to avert large-scale disaster for many.

Of first and most practical importance, training
programs, without loss of pay, are vitally necessary
for those who are now expected to master new skills.
Their job security can be protected in no other way.
As pointed out by President Moore, we cannot pretend
that they have the new skills which tomorrow will be
demanded by new methods of production. The Union
should never tolerate their displacement by young
graduates from the technical institutes simply because
men with seniority were denied the opportunity for
training.

All that has been said in criticism of proposed train-
ing programs melts into insignificance before the over-
whelming importance of making immediate provision
for training. Get training started at all costs and then
work at negotiating any necessary refinements later.

Delay spells displacement for too many IWA
members.

THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER

we

ist Issue
Oct. 1964

PRESIDENT'S DESK

"We're on our way’

By JACK MOORE

HEN Host-President Bill Wilson handed
me the gavel at the opening of the
recent Regional Convention, I was perturbed
at the state of affairs in our Union. News
reports in the press had
created the illusion that our
members were badly divided
on a number of highly con-
troversial issues.

When I laid the gavel
down after midnight, Octo-
ber 2, I felt a renewal of
pride in the manner dele-
gates had rallied to preserve
the union’s tradition of ser-
vice to woodworkers.

We had heated debates, as might be ex-
pected in the IWA. Our delegates were men
and women with deeply-rooted convictions
who felt intensely about Union policy. Never-
theless, there was determined agreement to
accomplish better things for our members.
The debates centred around the best way to
do this. No one seemed dismayed because
of harsh language used to make a point. It
stands to the credit of the IWA that the
delegates realized and firmly stood on their
democratic rights.

* * *
Our prestige is important

E have gained the reputation in some

quarters of being a quarrelsome lot
This has tended to obscure in the public
mind much of the real progress made. We
are all pleased that the decision was reached
to keep our differences of opinion to our-
selves and to settle our disagreements
through our Union’s channels.

Our prestige as a well-administered and
responsible Union is important in our rela-
tions with the community and in the ad-
vancement of our legislative aims — not to
mention our recruitment of new members.

Constitutional points cleared up

HE constitutional amendments adopted by
the convention are now being placed be-
fore the membership. Unless otherwise or-
dered by the members within sixty days,
these amendments become established rules
of procedure. until changed by convention
decision. It is of the utmost importance that
the delegates clarified constitutional points
that had been questioned.

The functions of the Regional Executive
Board have been defined.

The administration of the membership’s
strike fund will now be governed by rules
that all can clearly understand’ and approve.

Co-ordination to secure uniformly better
standards in mid-contract adjustments has
been assured.

Organization of the 10,000 unorganized
woodworkers in the Interior is now planned.

Local Unions are guaranteed equality of
consideration as we all strive to establish the -
highest possible uniform standards for all
woodworkers in the province.

* * *

“We are proud of the progress made”

HAT’S not all that the delegates accom-

plished. It will take careful reading of

the verbatim record of the proceedings to
grasp the complete record of achievement.

Not every one will be fully satisfied, but
all must remember that the IWA is an organ-
ization of human beings, with differing back-
grounds and experiences. The delegates rose
above conflicting opinions to map out pro-
gress together.

For this I congratulate them. It was one
of the liveliest, most colorful, but most worth-
while conventions’ in the history of our
Region.

Automation the

In reference to the Toronto

ITU strike he said, “we still
haven’t learned to organize
workers along industrial lines
rather than craft lines.”

He contrasted the Toronto

situation with the strike of
the office employees in Port
Alberni last summer, when
four thousand workers re-
spected the picket lines of the
OEIU: “The Port Alberni vic-

tory was one of the most
heroic things ever done by
the labour movement in Can-
ada and it is precisely this
kind of unity that’s needed
all across Canada,” he said.

Major problem

“Next to the threat of nuc-
lear war, no problem has
greater national sngnificance
than that of automation”.
With this statement, T. C.
Douglas, M.P., federal leader
of the New Democratic Party
urged delegates attending the
IWA Regional convention to
intensify their political action.
He was accorded a standing
evation when introduced as
Brother Tommy Douglas,
honorary member of Local
1-357, IWA.

“Until we in the trade un-
ion movement learn to com-
bine the economic and polit-
ical struggles, we will con-
tinue to flounder in the wild-
erness,” he declared.

“Trade unions must re-
orientate their thinking. We
have to change our outlook,
our organizational forms and
anything else that stands in
the way. We have to devote
more funds to political edu-
eation. :

Published twice monthly as the official publication of the 2
INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS OF AMERICA, “—”

Western Canadian Regional Council No. 1. Affiliated with AFL-CIO-CLC
2859 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, B.C.

Phone 874-5261

Grant MacNeil

Associate Editor — _.... Pat Kerr
Business Manager .._......... _.. Fred Fieber
Aavertising Representative —........._.._..___.._...... G. A. Spencer

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