6 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER "MAJORITY REPORT” ARTICLE XVI i Seniority (a) The parties agreed to the deletion of the words “within the mill.” (b) The Union sought to have Section 2, Paragraph (a) amended to read, “In the application of seniority it shall be determined by the length of continuous service with the P.L.LB. and the individual’s ability ... "The Board recom- mends that this change be incorporated in the agreement. (c) The Employer sought a wording change to, in effect, consolidate Section 2 (a) i and ii and 2 (b). The Board ee against incorporating this change in the agree- ment. (d) The Union seeks to have Section 4 (b) amended to read: “Seniority and ability to do the job shall rule in the appointment.” The Board recommends that Section 4 (b) be rewritten to read “Seniority subject to ability shall rule in the appointment,” (e) The employer seeks changes in the wording of Section 4 (a). The Board recommends against the proposed changes. (f) The Employer seeks the addition of the word “knowl- edge” to Section 4 (b) and the addition of additional sub- paragraphs dealing, in the main, with job posting. The Board recommends against the proposed addition. (g) The Employer proposes the deletion of Section 5. The Board recommends that Section 5 be retained. (h) The parties reached agreement with respect to other proposals for change in this Article. ARTICLE XVII Leave of Absence The parties agreed to changes. ARTICLE XVIII Adjustment of Grievances The parties reached agreement that there would be no changes in this Article. ARTICLE XIX Arbitration No change. ARTICLE XX Strikes and Lockouts No change. ARTICLE XXI Duration The Board recommends that the term of the agreement be two years. MEMORANDUM of AGREEMENT The parties agreed to its deletion. af. : A majority of the Board therefore recommends that the current agreement between the parties be renewed incorpor- ating the changes recommended above effective 15th June, 1964, and expiring 15th June, 1966. Mr. O’Connor advises that he dissents from this report. DATED at Vancouver, B.C., this 19th day of November, A.D. 1964. Michael addresses _ students Cliff Michael, Secretary of Local 1-417, IWA, spoke to a group of Salmon Arm school students on trade-union mat- ters on November 23. The address followed an in- vitation to speak to the stu- dents. . Some questions asked by the students during the dis- cussion-were: What does labour do to fur- CLIFF MICHAEL ther human rights? Can a union go on strike whenever it wants? Do unions strike to upgrade people without abil- ity?. What good does a union do for the company? What good does a union do for society and the economy? Do non-union members in a un- ion operation receive the same benefits as the union mem- ber? Does a non-union mill have to pay the same wages as a union mill? Michael gave the students some union literature at the close of the discussion as a follow-up of some of the points discussed. Just for a laugh Mr. Motherwell paused before a painting called “Spring,” i j d a ravishing young nymph ae ee or aily distributed leaves. Mr. Motherwell, in fact, seemed rooted to the spot. couple of stra clad only in a Come on, Henry,” urged his wife. “What are you waiting for?” “Autumn,” sighed Mr. Motherwell. KNOW YOUR UNION yl he: tt ee $3,941,134 paid o By FRED FIEBER Regional Secretary-Treasurer Benefits paid by the Forest Industry Health and Welfare Plans to the member- ship in the Coast forest products industry since their inception are nearly four million dollars. The Forest Industry Health and Wel- fare Plan was instituted October 1, 1961, covering employees of employers represented by Forest In- dustrial Relations Ltd. The Forest Industry Health and Welfare Plan 2, covering employees in independent operations was instituted November ye 1, 1961. EZ ¢ lel The following summary shows benefits paid to the- membership in Group Life, Accidental Death and Dismem- berment, Weekly Indemnity, and Waiver of Premiums. Forest Industry Health and Welfare Plan Group Life Payments to October 1, 1964 $1,856,500 Accidental Death and Dismemberment __........... 202,500 Weekly Indemnity Benefits = 1,662,475 Totals: 22242 Sa ee $3,721,475 - Forest Industry Health and Welfare Plan 2 has paid the following benefits: Group Life $ 113,750 Accidental Death and Dismemberment _..__--____. i 5,000 Weekly Indemnity __...____ 100,909 "Potion Dee a oe $ 219,659 Forest Industry Health Welfare Plan Total _..___._. $3,721,475 Forest Industry Health & Welfare Plan 2 Total _..__ 219,659 Grand) Total’ == ee $3,941,134 The membership in the coast forest pro- ducts industry has learned the value of a plan that is industry-wide, covering all work- ers in the industry whether they are in a large or small operation. All woodworkers on the coast now take for granted the secur- ity provided for them when they work in coast operations, knowing that they have these health and welfare benefits available to them in all operations. This is especially true to those workers who previously were obligated to continue their employment to preserve the health and welfare benefits that were in effect in their operation. The two plans presently in effect in coast forest products operations have worked ex- tremely well, and the value of union partici- pation on the Board of Trustees has resulted in a uniform application of benefits and an opportunity for the membership to have rep- resentation to protect their interests on the application of the plan. ‘ Union and management are presently giving consideration to merging the two coast plans into one plan under the Forest Industry Health and Welfare Plan. Both plans have proven themselves since their inception as being efficiently operated with complete uniformity on payment of benefits, eligibility, portability between employers, and layoff coverage. Increased weekly indemnity benefits, effective June 15, 1964, from $35.00 per week, to $50.00 per week with entitlements extended from 26 to 39 weeks has provided to the membership far better security in x the event of illness or off the job injury. Prepaid medical coverage as provided in — the Coast Master Agreement has also been greatly improved with a uniform application of eligibility, portability, and layoff coverage identical to that contained in the Forest In- dustry Health and Welfare Plan. In administering the Plan since its incep- tion, the only problem that has arisen is the increase in average age of employees in the industry. With automation and mechaniza- tion going into the industry, it has resulted in less people employed in some operations, and with the application of seniority in the industry, the result has been an increase in the average age which has reflected on prem- iums required to provide the coverage. Indications in the last year are that this problem will level off in the near future, and projected claims on group life should stabilize. O.K. O.K. Have it yer way. . over no retirement plan. . | ain’t in th’ mood to a