2nd Issue September, 1968 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER PRESIDENT MOORE'S KEYNOTE CONVENTION ADDRESS Before this convention di- vides on the question of lead- ership, as we are told it will, I suggest that we first address ourselves to the question, “Where is this Union going?” Whatever our differences of opinion, we all agree that we are here to advance the in- terests of the membership. Our Union’s members have the right to expect from us decisions on policy that will better their circumstances. I believe it to be our duty, be- fore we try to determine who was right and who was wrong during past events, that we first hammer out a program for this Union at least a year ahead. You will agree with me that this convention should be pro- gram-oriented and not per- sonality - oriented. The IWA has never encouraged a per- sonality cult. DEVELOP A PROGRAM Actually, the leadership of this Union is in the combined efforts of all delegates to this convention as they develop a program for the days ahead. The selection of individuals to carry out that program is a secondary consideration. It is the program that will unify and inspire our members to efforts that will ensure our SUCCESS. As we outline a program of activity we dare not overlook two elements that are built into the constitution and structure of our Union. One, unity of effort is vital. We dare not allow the IWA to fall apart into warring seg- ments. If we do, we allow our- selves to fall into the hands of the employers. The suc- cesses we have achieved have resulted from our ability to present a united front in all circumstances. Local Unions have coordinated their efforts and all occupational sections have joined hands in a com- mon cause. Too much is at stake to allow anything to undermine this main source of our strength. MAJORITY DECISION Two, we must work out a program on the basis of a con- sensus. Minorities must be heard but the final decision must be a decision of the ma- jority at all levels of our ad- ministration and membership. Without loyalty to majority decisions, chaos will ensue. Differences of opinion will oecur, and should occur, for when all men think alike no one thinks at all. But there comes a time when we all must take the same road, Our program must be in tune with the times. As our economic environment chang- es so must our program. There are some economic indicators that demand our attention. The umer price index is rising and will continue to rise. ~ as well as provisions for work- States in anticipation of a more buoyant economy. FOREST INDUSTRY EXPANDING The forest products indus- try is steadily expanding with production shifts into the In- terior, Alberta and Saskatch- ewan. As the industry expands, corporate controls are inte- grating, and mechanization is accelerating, with more com- plete utilization of the timber. Employment levels in indi- vidual operations are drop- ping although the aggregate employment is increasing. Our work force is growing with a larger percentage of younger members. This by no means exhausts the list of such indicators which we must follow closely. They do, however, point to the need for an extended or- ganization effort and a pos-. sible re-vamping of our usual negotiating plans. We must first ask ourselves “What have we got to go where we want to go?” MEMBERSHIP STRENGTH We have an increased mem- bership strength. Six years ago we celebrated our 25th anniversary. At that time our membership in this Region totalled 32,000. Today it ex- ceeds 38,000. This growth in membership strength is reflected in our ability to wrest higher wages from reluctant employers. Six years ago our base rate at the Coast was $1.92 an hour. Today we have estab- lished a base rate of $3.12, effective June 15, 1969. With 1949 as the base, in 13 years we increased our base rate by 84 cents an hour at the time of our 25th anni- versary in 1962. In the six years that followed we have increased our base rate by $1.20 an hour. In 1962, the Interior base rate was $1.79 an hour. To- day the Southern Interior has established a base rate of $2.98 an hour, effective January Ist, 1970, with a differential of 14 cents, instead of 50 cents be- tween their rate and the Coast base rate. Also, they have won an expiry date of June 30th, 1970, opening the way to a standard contract for the pro- vince. VICE-PRESIDENT MacKENZIE Under the capable supervi- sion of Vice-President Broth- er Jack MacKenzie, a vast improvement is now evident in wages and working condi- tions in Alberta and Saskatch- ewan, As the Officer’s Report will indicate, tradesmen’s rates have been raised as well as category rates. Important fringe benefits have been firm- ly established in our agree- ments. Our Coast wage structure contract held by woodwork- ers anywhere in the world. ’ We have mobilized our bar- gaining strength as never be- fore. JACK MOORE It is evident that if we re- tain our bargaining strength, we can look to the future with confidence. BARGAINING STRENGTH As our primary function is to safeguard and advance wages and working condi- tions for our members, it fol- lows that the conservation and development of our bar- gaining strength must have top priority. It’s not too early to start now with our prepar- ations for the 1970 negotia- tions. This convention is re- quired to prepare for deci- sions by the 1969 convention that will strengthen our nego- tiating procedures. Only as we do so will we escape the threat of compulsion in Bill 33 which hung heavily over our 1968 negotiations. I note with pleasure that resolutions now before you will bring this matter under discussion. The Negotiating Committee must retain its representative character but at the same time we should study ways and means to ex- pedite decisions and render its work more efficient. Our bargaining requires greater involvement of the rank and file membership. We can improve our inter-union communications, but it is not good enough to tell them about decisions made. They must be involved in the policy - making to a greater degree before decisions are made. MEMBERSHIP AGE In this connection we must “take into consideration the fact that an increasing per- centage of our membership is below the age of 35. Many of the. younger members have never worked in an unorgan- ized operation. They are in- clined to take the contract benefits for granted. They are not familiar with the legal re- quirements of bargaining pro- cedures. It is essential that they be- come better informed not only about bargaining require- ments but also about the whole range of Union activi- ties and their background. With reference to future bargaining, it is important that we restore the Regional strike fund to a level that provides assurance against hardship. It is true, as our financial statements indicate, that the Southern Interior strike seri- ously drained the fund. The members on strike had been contributors to the fund and were justly entitled to“its pro- tection. Our Brothers in the Southern Interior were locked in a desperate fight with a notoriously anti-union group of employers. The length of the strike gave proof of their militant determination to win justice. The members of the Southern Interior Local Un- ions deserve the warmest commendation from this con- vention for the splendid and courageous spirit with which carried to a successful con- clusion an epic struggle, one which tested to the utmost their endurance and solidar- ity. FULLY MOBILIZED For the first time in their history they fully mobilized their fighting strength. It was the surprised reaction of the employers and the provincial government that prolonged the struggle. We now have a hardy and well coordinated Union in the Interior, capable of protecting Coast Locals against the threat of dangerous wage-cut- ting in approximately one- half of the province’s lumber production. As I have said, the way has been opened to the institution of a standard contract for the province. We paid a heavy price in the strike relief dis- bursed, but this will be re- turned to us in full measure over the years. In the mean- while, we have the satisfac- tion of knowing that substan- tial progress was made in the improvement of wages and working conditions for our In- terior brothers. Also, the In- terior employers have been given a lesson they will not soon forget. 1970 NEGOTIATIONS In our preparations for the 1970 negotiations we will have the opportunity this year to consider features that will See “ADDRESS”—Page 8 ou neg Give * LUCKY break L self a a ee ae _ GiveYourselfa \ WeKy BREAK |. Big thirst? Quench it quick... | LUCKY | BS This advertisement is not published or displayed by the Liquor Control Board or by the Government of British Columbia.