Editorials A Challenge NE common factor appears in the New Year state- ments recently made on behalf of leading trade unions and central labour bodies. The problems of 1961 are the most challenging of a decade. New responsibilities are spurring the efforts of the trade unions to greater strength through better and more efficient organization. Changing forms of opposition are demanding the development of new techniques. The old-fashioned virtues of solidarity and integrity have lost none of their value. The old-fashioned methods of expressing these qualities get little response from the new-model unionist. The unions fall behind who do not train their men to be as efficient in administrative methods as those who serve management. Steps necessary to cope with the issues looming in 1961 illustrate the point. Negotiations have been given a most unfavorable atmosphere, by reason of unemployment and the type of economic planning which favors only the privileged. The pressure on provincial governments for anti- labour legislation has increased. The purpose of this pres- sure is to cripple negotiations. The propaganda is ladled out to prejudice public opinion against all trade union objectives. It is tailored to appeal to unthinking workers, as well as the professional, managerial, and proprietor categories. After three years intensive discussion, organized lab- our is about to build for itself an independent parallel structure through which its members may express them- selves politically. This move has disturbed the organized employers who recognize that labour is thereby gaining a The “C'mon, You'll Have To Lead The Way” Inquiring Reader | Some Day : Perhaps— We have to stop pretending that Chiang Kai-shek is still the leader of the Chinese nation ... Red China should be admit- ted to the United Nations now, while we can possibly exact something from them in larger measure of equality in the constant economic con- flict of the bargaining table. No trade unionist needs to “sharpen his pencil” to chart out the necessary course. This is the year when petty personal issues must be forgotten to ensure unity of thought and action on the major issues. (Under this heading, attention will be directed occasionally to books and articles with a bearing on trade union affairs in British Columbia. The column is intended to help trade union officers and members who desire information regarding developments likely to influence their policies or effect the welfare of union members. Suggestions from readers will be welcomed—The Editors.) return. —Dean Acheson, former U.S. Secretary of State cC— It explains points of law about Bill 43, which have puzzled trade unionists in B.C. It helps build the answers for trade unionists who must speak in their own communities and on the job in favour of fair labour legislation. The kind of law about trade unions which Canadian workers have known recently was once described by Anatole France,—The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.” Identical treatment of labour and management is not al- ways equitable treatment. The book under review makes this Provocation Most of us would like to know why anyone would predict a strike in the coast lumber industry before the Union has even considered any demand for increased wages. Whatever the reason, the prediction has been made. . We can only suspect the use of the same crystal ball used when employers told the Premier that the safety of the economy demanded the elimination of all free trade unionism, or something to that effect. The Regional President, Joe Morris, had the right | many important respects, Cana- 7a OSES answer for this prediction. dian criminal law governs the 5% Any such statement is unduly provocative. Those who STAR ee 4 bargain for the industry cannot afford to take any “chip : Since 1872 y; on the shoulder” attitude. Too much is at stake. peers nes 2 hagas ee [aes Any such statement is decidedly premature. The Nee ae ice oe cone F! Union has not yet formulated its contract demands for | unions a legal status. They got / 1961. It will do so at a Wages and Contract Conference in | protection against the charge of I February. conspiracy in restraint of trade. I Before any more such statements are made, is it too | Unregistered unions ceased to be ! much to ask that the employers indicate they will place | unlawful. i ee ; some reliance on the bargaining procedures prescribed by The painful conclusion is pre- 1 ince : sented by the authors that later 1 _—--~ : laws and precedents have limited oe SFI Ke rather than extended any such 7 N We can well imagine what the employers would say if the Union took the same belligerent attitude in advance of negotiations. Unless at some point the conflict of inter- est is moderated by willingness to negotiate, all hope of industrial peace will vanish. ‘ Publication date of the next issue of the WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER is January 19th. Deadline for ad copy is January 6th, and for news copy December 30th. point. “The Status of Trade Unions in Canada” has made a timely appearance. In at least five pro- yvincial Legislatures, employers’ lobbies expect to make further headway in the invention of de- vices to shackle labour. Threats against the trade unions in British Columbia are not unrelated to those in Alberta and Ontario. In legal immunity. Canadian law in this respect was originally designed to en- courage collective bargaining. The pattern since 1872 has followed the American development rather than the British. Confusing Maxims This volume helps to clear up the confusion in the lJayman’s mind about a rule followed by the It gives the whole Canadian picture. The trend to cancel trade union rights in Canada is alarm- ing. 7 va SING / CARLING'S legal profession, (when statute ~ fl AAA ¥ law (Acts of Parliament or the Sg hu aed FL un PA foe Legislature) conflicts directly with ae Lol Do — common law, the latter must give CANADA'S PUBLISHED TWICE MONTHLY ON THE FIRST way. BEST-LIKED AND THIRD THURSDAYS BY pe Some further light is cast on International Woodworkers of America <2 arguments which have arisen in AND (AFL-CIO-CLC) Regional Council No. 1 British Columbia about civil con- BEST-SELLING REGIONAL OFFICERS: spiracy. What is meant by an act BEER! President Joe Morris of combination in dealing with ist Vice-President - Jack Moore such evidence? Has the Court the “MABEL 2nd Vice-President Bob Ross 5 = 3rd Vice-President . ~. Fred Fieber right to authorize action by the BLACK Secretary-Treasurer e H. Mitchell employers which anticipates dam- LABEL!” Joe Madden Jack Holst International Board Members Address all communications to ‘GEORGE H. MITCHELL, Secretary-Treasurer 2859 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, B.C. TR 4-5261 - 2 Subscription Rates.__-—_.§2.00 per annum Auverusing Representative.......... G@. A. Spencer Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Dept., Ottawa 27,500 COPIES PRINTED IN THIS ISSUE age to his interests? Messrs Cam- eron and Young give laymen a chance to see through some of the legal mysteries. Some Points of Use The book has value on a trade unionist’s bookshelf for the fol- lowing reasons. N OUT FOR \@ \ BEERS“ There may not be a sufficient number of lawyers in the profes- sion to defend trade unionists on all those legal points with which they may now be tripped up by employers. . ~