HOLLAND AND THE 1.C.F.1.U. By JEAN MOHART HEN the Canadian Man- , ufacturers’ Association sits down at an annual session no doubt it discusses business trends; when the Bar Asso- ciation meets it debates law reform; when the medical fra- ternity foregather they talk about new operating room techniques (or should, rather than how to oppose Medi- care!); and trade unionists meet and talk quite a bit, too. In Local Union meetings, regional conferences, smal] committees or world con- gresses they talk; but the great difference is that union- ists are concerned with people . . . people looking to us for the right to self-government in their daily relationship with their employer, and in some parts of the globe people who need our help in obtain- ing self-government in legis- lative chambers. CONCERN It is this concern of ours for human values, a realiza- tion that basically each indi- vidual requires a feeling of self-worth which gives to the trade union movement and its conclaves, large or small, that vital ingredient promot- ing momentum and growth. In such an atmosphere the Eighth World Congress of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions is bound to attract some stimulating personalities, and in this cate- gory it’s easy to fit Eric Kis- sell, General Secretary of the International Federation of Commercial, Clerical and Technical Employees. I was given a letter of introduction to him by the International President of the Office Em- ployees International Union, of which I am a member; and Brother Kissell set aside one full evening for our discus- ‘sion on the thorny question of organization of “white col- lar” workers. EXAMPLE He is an extraordinary ex- ample of the kind of person who revels in scaling hurdles. While still organizing he learned eight languages in eight years ’— an ineredible feat! Still more incredible is the fact that he taught him- self, studying until 2 and 3 a.m. after each working day. THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER ema aaa Jean Mobart, president of the Office Employees’ International Union, Local No. 15, and private secretary to Jack Moore, IWA regional president, was asked while vacation- ing in Europe to attend the 8th World Congress of the ICFTU as one of the Canadian delegates. The following is her second and concluding report of the week-long conference held July 7-16, 1965, in Amsterdam, Holland. a a a I was curious about his method for organizing. “Plan- ning,” he said, “planning well in advance and having every aspect of a campaign plotted and a fool-proof filing system so that when all facts are gathered there is no fuss and muddling.” In view of his rec- ord of four million member- ship one cannot doubt the efficiency of his work. Europe and South America provide the bulk of his members. We on this continent are so com- placent about our high stand- ard of living that I was jarred when he referred to us as “underdeveloped.” BEHIND Then he went on to say that we are so far behind in or- ganization of the office and technical employee that he thinks of us with this tag. And he’s right. It is the North American area that is back- ward — when you consider that organized workers are always far ahead of other workers in matters of pay, seniority, security and other conditions. When Eric Kissell visits us within the next year or two we may get the shot in the arm we’ve been need- ing for these many years. There is some new thinking taking place in the field of education. Too long emphasis has been laid on the young male worker in trade union seminars. Now it is realized that illiteracy among mothers in the emerging nations im- pedes progress for the work- ing class. Nor was it left to the women delegates to bring this matter into focus. Frank Walcott of Barbados gave strong support to Mrs. Sigrid Ekendahl (a member of the Swedish parliament) when he said “Education must be given to the women where new so- cieties are in the early pro- cesses of formation.” Refer- ring to the mother’s role he went on, “Educating women is an aspect of national life that has been sorely neglect- ed, yet it is essential that women should not be regard- elae ‘FLY B.C. AIR LINES’ JEAN MOHART ed as inferior partners in the building of our societies, so- cieties which aim to make de- mocracy a worthwhile institu- tion for all.” CASE In my first article on the ICFTU I wrote of the serious disagreement between the Canadian and American dele- gation, which will not be re- solved until the Executive Board meets during the month of November. Every Canadian trade unionist should know that our CLC Secretary-Trea- surer attained great stature when he addressed the entire Y \i BY MAKING ANY MONEY jp HA ‘THESE DAYS, JAKE? ff DOLLARS AND Congress in Amsterdam, stat- ing the case for Canadian representation on the execu- tive of the ICFTU. PRIDE My own pride in a fellow countryman and unionist was heightened when I visited British trade union offices later in July. These seasoned and articulate men heaped Donald MacDonald with glory for his fair and statesmanlike presentation, notwithstanding the withering threats bellow- ed by AFL-CIO president George Meany. Our delega- tion may have been small in number; but Donald MacDon- ald distinguished himself and Canada, when the chips were down, with that rare quality, the essence of excellence. Many fine speakers were brought to this Congress, and each was of special interest. From one young man, a Dane, however, I received an im- pression that is still ringing in my ears. He represented the United Nations Food and Ag- riculture Organization. His specific message: the “Free- dom from Hunger Cam- paign.” Free from any orator- ical fireworks he shocked us by his words when, referring to the 1500 million underfed humans existing today he stated, “A body half fed is only half alive.” Then he gave appaling facts and figures. Seated in utmost comfort and WELL, COMMONWEALTH 1 LIKE, DON... ~ 44. ANOTHER THING ~ INTEREST APPLIES FROM THE DATE OF YOUR FIRST DEPOSIT ! TRUST HAS AN APPROACH |} \ very well fed, we could aly half comprehend the meaning of his words. Could we possibly share any gnawing hunger pains or feel a real compassion for the ever-wanting child? Are we, in this western Cornucopia, strong enough morally to at- tack a problem of this magni- tude? The ICFTU passed a resolution “urgently appeal- ing to all governments” and “calling upon all affiliated or- ganizations” to give full sup- port to the campaign by “par- ticipating and by cooperating in projects which are under- taken as part of the cam- paign.” I hope you who read will heed, IVORY TOWER “In these days of revolu- tion among the eggheads, yesterday’s ivory tower has become today’s foxhole. The leisure of the theory class is increasingly occupied in the organization of picket lines, teach-ins, think-ins, and stake-outs of one sort or an- other... “The difference between the true extremist and the genuine moderate is a differ- ence of principle and convic- tion. The extremist, whether he be of the right or the left, has but one principle and one conviction, Wis principle is that the end justifies the means; his conviction is that the end he seeks, and that end alone, can be the sole acceptable solution of any given problem ... “Extremism is insidious in its growth and difficult to combat by weapons other than its own ... Be a non- conformist if you wish, but in one respect, follow a pat- tern: let reason and justice govern your actions.” —Dr. John J. Meng, President, Hunter College VANCOUVER: 562 Burrard, Hastings & Richards, Main & Pender, 6373 Fraser, 1299 Kingsway. And in Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George.