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2nd Issue

FROM PAGE ONE

THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER
August, 1968 SE a I a

WAGES NOT PRIME FACTOR
IN HOME BUILDING COSTS

“JURISDICTIONAL VICTORY”

those signed by the IWA in
Saskatchewan and were
bound to have an adverse af-
fect on IWA organizational at-
tempts in the province.

To support his charge he
listed the following points
contained in the agreements
Signed by the Labours Union
with the two companies:

e Both agreements provide
that the Company “shall be
the sole judge as to the com-
petency of an employee”;

© The Woodlands agree-
ment provides that “the Com-
pany may in its sole discre-
tion change workmen from
one classification or job to an-
other”;

© The Woodlands agree-
ment provides that during the

30 days’ probationary period
the Company need not allo-
cate the employees to a classi-
fication and that during this
period the employees “regard-
léss of the work performed,
shall be paid at such rate as
may be determined by the
Company but in no event less
than the general labour rate”;

e While under IWA agree-
ment the employer recognizes
the principle of seniority and
provisions are spelled out for
its application, the corre-
sponding provision in both the
Woodlands and Waskesiu
agreement provides that: “The
Company and the Union re-
cognizes that the principle of
seniority warrants considera-
tion and study by the parties
and accordingly have agreed

FROM PAGE ONE

"GRAPE BOYCOTT"

They should be known as
agri-business, as they are con-
ducting an agricultural opera-
tion on an industrial scale.
They grow on 5,000 to 15,000
acres using 500 to 2,000 work-
ers at harvest time.

The sales of this agri-busi-
ness are the state’s highest —
about five billion dollars a
year. But the farm workers
are the most exploited in the
nation. They are not covered
by federal labor legislation
nor by unemployment insur-
ance or other benefits.

The farm workers get $1 to
$1.40 an hour. They work
from sun-up to sundown in
up to 115 degrees of heat with
no ordinary amenities such as
adequate water supply or
toilets.

They are employed only
four to eight months a year
and move from place to place
as the grapes ripen from south
to north.

They are closely guarded
by armed guards in their
camps and when they are
transported in trucks.

The strike has gone on for
three years. Some union con-
tracts have been signed but
these cover only about 8,000
out of 400,000 farm workers.

Father Day corroborated
the story told by Marshall
Ganz, adding that state gov-
ernments,~ courts and police
are all in collusion with the
agri-business interests.

“The farm worker is not
protected by any legal

-means,” he said, “their only

hope is unionization.”

SS

INVASION

The B.C. Federation of La-
bour has violently protested
the Russian invasion of Czech-
oslovakia.

In a statement released Au-
gust 21, John McNevin, As-
sistant Secretary, stated: .

“The unilateral decision by

the Kremlin to stifle, by force, °

the freedom of speech and
freedom of thought move-
ment in Czechoslovakia can
only be described as tragic,
especially at-a time when
most Communist satellite na-
tions were trying to find new
ways of co-existing with the
Western free world; while re-
maining Communist states.
The Russian move endangers

PROTESTED

most of the gains achieved
recently.

_ “One of the most disturb-
ing aspects of this internal
struggle between the Com-
munist nations is that West-
ern liberal influence will no
doubt suffer a setback.

“We are concerned that the
hysterical thought - pattern
which provoked the Joseph
McCarthy era of the 50’s with
its accompanying witch hunt
could be once again renewed.

“All we can do at this time
is to offer our sympathy, en-
couragement and support for
those people in Czechoslova-
kia who resist the curtailment

of newly found freedom of
expression.”

ESQUIRE MEN’S WEAR

(Graham Mowatt)

Complete Stock of Work and Dress Clothing
“THE STORE WITH THE POPULAR BRANDS”

BRITISH COLUMBIA

that the matter shall, during

the terms of this agreement

be dealt with in the manner
set forth in the letter of
understanding between
them.” The letter of under-
standing referred to is merely
an agreement that the parties
will “meet from time to time,
for the purpose of discussing
the matter of seniority.”

Following the hearing, Re-
gional President Jack Moore
was notified by CLC Presi-
dent Donald MacDonald that
the IWA’s case against the
Labours Union had been up-
held. and the Union could
undertake the organization of
the two companies’ employ-
ees without fear of having
raiding charges brought
against them.

The National Research
Council, in a careful study of
home building costs, has re-
ported that wages are not a

prime factor in the high cost
of building.

The Council states that the
common assumption that on-
site labour accounts for be-
tween 40 percent and 50 per-
cent of the cost of a house is
incorrect. It is about 14 per-
cent.

The greatest costs in house-
building are land, services,
finance charges and materials.

These conclusions are
drawn in a unique study by
the National Research Coun-
cil. When related to selling
price, the component costs
due to labor, materials and
equipment rental are approxi-
mately 14 per cent, 44 per
cent and 1 per cent respec-
tively.

3

The NRC report concludes
that because the on-site costs
are only 59 per cent of the
total, the remaining 41 per
cent should be examined for
possible economies.

Labor was calculated at
$3.50 an hour which was the
average of eight building
trades in Ottawa in 1965, the
most recent full year preced-
ing the start of the project.
This average includes holiday
pay, workmen’s compensation,

unemployment insurance and .

other benefits which are a
payroll cost to the employer.
While current costs in the
B.C. Lower Mainland are now
on the order of $5 an hour,

‘and interest rates have risen

sharply, NRC says the study
is still valid proportionately,
and that allowance for re-
gional and time differences
would not alter the conclu-
sions drawn.

CATEGORY RATE INCREASES

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed August 21, between the IWA Coast
Negotiating Committee and Forest Industrial Relations Ltd., providing substantial rate
increases for the following sawmill and logging categories.

The following is a copy of the signed Memorandum:

In accordance with Point No. 12 in the Memorandum of Agreement dated July
10th, 1968, FOREST INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS on behalf of its clients and the
NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS OF
AMERICA, A.F.L.-C.1.0. & C.L.C. representing Local Nos. 1-71, 1-80, 1-85, 1-118,

1-217, 1-288, 1-357, 1-363, 1-367, agree that rates for the following categories be adjusted
as set out below, effective June 15, 1968:

Beale Type Timber Sorter

Carrier Drivers

~ Sawmill Truck Driver

Crane Chaser

Resaw Planer (Splitter)

Slingman

period of two ye
Lift Operators
as set out.

B. Steel Spar Hook and Rig _

Hooktender _

Rigging Slinger ays R/W

Chokerman

Bulldozer Operator — D8 Class?
Bulldozer Operator — D9 Class

1 It is understood that the above Bulldozer

the use of grading attachments is incorporated in the rate.

BROADWAY
PRINTERS

LIMITED

printers and lithographers
since 1911

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115 EAST 8th AVENUE
VANCOUVER 10, B.C.

Telephone 876-2101

PT

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221 Carrall Street

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DEALER ENQUIRIES INVITED

SELLS BROS.

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Telephone MU. 4-7758

rates are for grade bulldozers and further that

SALES LTD.

Vancouver 3, B.C.

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