___ Over the last 40 years, the name of Walter
Tickson has become a familiar and
Tespected one to hundreds of working
people in Nanaimo and around Vancouver
Island.

And it seemed they were all there Satur-
day night at Nanaimo’s Coast Bastion Inn

to honor him — trade unionists from sev-
eral industries, comrades from the Com-
Munist Party, delegates from a:number of

bor councils, even a representative of
Nicaragua’s CST. From those who could
Not be there, including Art Kube and Dave
Werlin, the presidents, respectively, of the
B.C. and Alberta federations of labor, there
Were messages and telegrams.

Some 300 people, from both the Island
and the Lower Mainland, filled the Inn’s
ballroom to capacity for the testimonial
dinner organized by a special tribute com-
mittee chaired by Lynn Kistner, organizer
of the Nanaimo club of the Communist
Party.

The lineup of speakers reflected the
Tecognition that Tickson has gathered over
the years for his activism in the wood and
fishing industries, his work as the regional
Organizer of the Communist Party and his
Current post as secretary of the Nanaimo,
Duncan and District Labor Council.

He was also one of the original founders
of Tools for Peace, the support campaign
for Nicaragua, noted Alicia Varel, Cana-
dian Tepresentative for Nicaragua’s trade
union central, CST, who praised Tickson
for his pioneering efforts in solidarity with
Nicaragua. He was a member of one of the
first delegations which travelled to Nicara-
Sua and returned to Canada to organize
Material aid for Nicaragua’s fishing indus-

“We see in Walter’s attitude a spirit
Which gives us strength to confront the

problems which affect us daily,” said Varel,
adding that “that spirit is an example to
workers here and in Nicaragua.”

Former Nanaimo NDP MP Ted Miller
also paid tribute to Tickson’s work in envir-
onmental campaigns, as well as his and his
wife Grace’s work in the peace movement.

“Just possibly, our efforts in Nanaimo
may have contributed to the thaw in inter-
national relations and a brighter future for
peace,” he said.

Jack Nichol, president of the United
Fishermen and Allied Workers Union, of
which Tickson has been a member since
1959, cited the Combines branch attack on
the union and Walter’s part in the campaign
against it. Along with several others, Tick-
son faced charges of obstruction although
all but one of those charged were subse-
quently acquitted.

“Walter confronted the Combines —
that’s the kind of man he is,” Nichol said.
“He won’t stand idly by when the rights of
working people are under attack.”

B.C. Communist Party leader Maurice

‘Rush praised Tickson as a man “who

always puts the interests of his fellow
workers first.”

Recalling the militant traditions of
Nanaimo workers going back to the 1877
coal miners’ strike, he emphasized, “Walter
is committed to carrying that tradition on.”

He emphasized Tickson’s militancy and
socialist outlook, adding that “everybody
who knows Walter knows he is a Commu-
nist.”

Rush also read a special message from
national leader William Kashtan, enclosing
a special jubilee medal marking the 40th
anniversary of the victory over fascism. The
medal, minted in the Soviet Union, had
been passed on by the Soviet Embassy for
presentation at the testimonial.

With his son (Ray) left and wife Grace beside him, Walter Tickson accepts a photo
from Nicaraguan CST representative Alicia Varel (second from right) of his delegation

to Nicaragua.

Those at the testimonial dinner also

heard the first announcement of another .

presentation from the tribute committee.
Calling it a “gift that began as a book and
grew into a library,” committee member
Joe Lychak told the audience that the
committee would be moving immediately
to establish a Walter Tickson Labor
Library which has already been endowed
with gifts of books as well as the promise of
financial assistance from the B.C. Federa-

tion of Labor and elsewhere. The library, he
said, would provide people with working
class history and ideas because there has
been too little access to that, especially on
Vancouver Island.

“With your help, we can ensure that
Walter and Grace’s work is carried on and
passed on to new generations,” he said.

Donations of money or books can be
sent to 212 Albert St., Nanaimo, B.C. VOR

.2V6.

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COMING EVENTS

FOR SALE

NOV. 30 — Social evening. 6 p.m. on at 3246
Shaughnessy St., Port Coquitlam. Light supper
and entertainment. Refreshments served.
Sponsored by Maple Ridge Club, CPC.

CHRISTMAS or greeting cards with message
of support for families of the disappeared in
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DEC. 1 — Monster Labor Christmas Bazaar.
Original gift items provide one-step shopping
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DEC. 14 — Vancouver East Marxmas Social.
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LEGAL SERVICES

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DIRECTORY

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located at 102, 2747 E. Hastings St. Vancouver.
Phone 254-9836. Office hours: 9:30-12 noon;
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issues or assistance in political activity.

HALLS FOR RENT

RUSSIAN PEOPLE’S HOME — Available for
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PACIFIC TRIBUNE, NOVEMBER 27, 1985 e 11