16 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER i WORKER 38,000 copies printed in this issue. Published twice monthly as the official publication of the INTERNATIONAL WOQDWORKERS OF AMERICA Western Canadian Regional Council No. 1 Affiliated with AFL-CIO-CLC 2859 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, B.C. Phone 874-5261 Editor — Pat Kerr Business Manager — Fred Fieber Advertising Representatives — Elizabeth Spencer Associates ’ Forwarded to every member of the IWA in Western Canada in accordance with convention decisions. Subscription rate for non-members $2.00 per year. Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post.Office Department, and for payment of postage in cash. LE>* : EDITORIAL “FIRST THINGS FIRST” “Those things we agree upon are vastly greater than those things we disagree about.” As in previous conventions, this idea will undoubtedly underlie the debates at the 31st Annual Regional Convention now assembled in Van- couver. It is still a good rule in estab- lishing priorities on convention deci- sions. - It becomes all the more important on this occasion when so many are predicting a donnybrook between rival factions. Such rivalries may be inevitable but. nothing should side- track the IWA from the pursuit of basic objectives already written into the Union’s constitution and struc- ture. Debate in the IWA is not stifled but debate can be directed toward a consensus leading to effective and constructive action on behalf of membership welfare. It is a foregone conclusion that the membership will not appreciate a dogfight that is nothing more than a dogfight. A wholly negative attitude toward events in the past year will only blacken the Union’s prestige. Last year was a year of accomplishment, though some say that more could have been accomplished. Any examination of the past year’s record can result in forward steps in the year ahead, and not merely at- tempted censure of individuals. Poli- cies have priority over personalities. Critics of the past should be prepared to outline alternative policies that promise greater achievements in the future. Here are some fundamentals upon which the membership expect agreement: WE AGREE that membership unity must be preserved. Unity won the In- terior strike and made a Coast settle- ment possible that was acceptable to the majority of the rank and file. Unless unity is demonstrated by the convention delegates, disunity will prevail in the ranks causing weak- ness, not strength, in future battles . with the employers. WE AGREE that loyalty to majority decision, after minorities have been heard, is essential. Since the IWA threw off the yokes of Carpenter and then Communist domination the IWA members have insisted on complete control of their own affairs. This is no time to turn back the clock on such a vital feature of IWA government. WE AGREE that a stiffer fight must be waged against anti-labour legis- lation such as the compulsory fea- tures of Bill 33. We know that the threat of Bill 33 looms as a dark shadow over future IWA negotiations as it did during the 1968 settlement. We must carry this fight to the public constantly to neu- tralize government intervention by means of compulsion. These and other basic objectives can form the basis of a program that will more readily yield results than continued wrangling over any alleged imperfections of the past. DOUGLAS SUPPORTS DRIVES— FOR A BETTER CANADA Poverty, ill-health, neglect- ed children, disturbed teen- agers, lonely old people. In spite of our affluence these _ problems and many more re- main to weaken our society and well-being. Some of us feel alienated in our communities today, un- aware of, indeed oblivious to, the troubles facing many of our neighbours. But the prob- lems are known to the volun- teer workers, and the social workers, nurses, psycholo- gists, and therapists who work for the member agencies of our United Appeals and Com- munity Chests. The annual drives of our local united campaigns will be conducted shortly. I urge every Canadian to give gen- erously so that voluntary ef- fort to eradicate social ills can move forward with govern- T. C. DOUGLAS ment efforts in the same direc- tion. Genuine communication between generations and be- tween different segments of our population is extremely difficult to achieve. United Appeals and Communuity Chests, because they involve every aspect of the commun- ity, are a means of developing interaction. Only through our support of such organizations can we hope to gain the un- derstanding which will lead “to a better society. I am happy to lend my per- sonal support to the United Appeal and Community Chest campaigns of this country. T. C. DOUGLAS, Federal Leader, New Democratic Party. IT’S THIS DANGED WEST COAST MIST ... A GUY CAN’T TELL A TREE FROM A SNAG ‘TILL SHE’S DOWN! U.G.N. RECOGNIZES LABOUR'S MAJOR ROLE W. P. WILSON Executive Director United Good Neighbor Fund The recent comprehensive article on the fall campaign of the Vancouver United Ap- peal should prompt Wood- workers in other communi- ties to ask about their local United Fund. In the Western IWA Region the Canadian Welfare’ Council lists thirty- four, six in Alberta, two in Manitoba, twelve in Saskat- chewan, and 16 in British Columbia. Basically the United Ap- peals raise funds to meet op- erating deficits of agencies providing services in our com- munities. It is understood that every donor becomes a mem- ber of the united fund, It is at this stage that United Funds are not the same. Only one fund in British Columbia and possibly Canada has re- cognized the role of labour. In the Lower Fraser Valley, Local 1-357 IWA were instru- mental in making adequate provision for labour repre- sentation on the United Good Neighbour Fund Board of Directors. The UGN bylaws require one-third of the di- rectors from Labour, one- third from Industry and a third group comprised of pro- fessions, etc., to make up the board. In a similar manner every third president comes from Labour. This Labour leadership has had two presi- dents from the IWA, Wyman Trineer and Peter Rebeyka. The IWA has also provided two campaign chairmen, Rae Eddie and Bill Wilson. It is the only United Appeal in Canada with a record of five presidents from organized labour, This recognition has not been given lightly but has been earned because labour does play a major role in the United Appeal. The Canadian Welfare Council issued the following figures in 1967. The percentage of the total funds raised represented by em- ployee. giving was Toronto 49 per cent, Hamilton 56.9 per cent, Calgary 54.3 per cent, Victoria 44.5 per cent, Vancouver 40 per cent and Lower Fraser Valley UGN 46 per cent. The balance of the monies came from two sources corporate gifts and in- dividuals not canvassed in payroll. Lumberworkers should ex- amine their local united ap- peal and make sure there is provision for adequate labour representation not only in minor roles but as the leader- ship. When new funds are formed and it is understood discussions are taking place in Campbell River, Prince Rupert and Prince George, Labour should make sure that proper labour representa- tion is written into the Con- stitution. Active trade unionists through their training could become the real force behind the funds in Castelgar, Fruit- vale, Fort St. John, Kam- loops, Kelowna, Kimberly, Nanaimo, Nelson, Mission, Penticton, Rossland, Trail, Vancouver, Vernon, and Vic- toria—they are in Vancouver. It is not a question of let government, it is a question of providing services now and the necessary statistics -~ government action. If Labour does not provide the leader- ship Labour can not expect a voice in the administration.