AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED FOR NORTHWEST WOOD PRESERVERS Local 1-424 IWA Prince George, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Northwest Wood Preservers Ltd., at Dawson Creek. The Agreement provides the same general terms for the 80-man crew as those con- tained in the standard Northern Interior Master Agreement. The operation, which is relatively new, was just recently certified to the Local. MOBILE HOME OWNERS ELIGIBLE FOR B.C. GOVERNMENT GRANTS The Honourable Lorne Nicol- son, Minister in Charge of Housing, has announced that mobile homes locafed in mobile home parks will now be eligible for the Provincial Home Acquisition Grant or Second Mortgage Loan. Mr. Nicolson said that the change in regulations to the Provincial Home Acquisition Act was approved by Order in Council Oct. 9 and is retro- active to April 18th, 1973. It means that people who buy mobile homes will be eligible for the $1,000 grant and people purchasing older mobile homes will be eligible for the $500 grant provided they meet all other regulations under the Act. Information circulars will be sent out to those who already have applications on - file. All communications regarding the grants should be sent to the Provincial Admini- strator, Home-owner Assist- ance Branch, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C. Mr. Nicolson said that the change in regulations was brought about to accommodate those who choose to live in mobile home parks, and he expressed his hope that it would be of benefit in helping British Columbia residents seeking this form of housing. The Minister stressed the importance of mobile home development, pointing out that mobile home owners move no more frequently than people in other forms of housing. Earlier this year, the government announced changes which allowed persons who fully repay a government second mortgage loan to qualify for another second mortgage loan on another resi- dence, and also extended the benefits of the Act to Native Indians living on reserves. “This latest change in regulations is another step in extending the benefits of the Home Acquisition Act to even more British Columbians”’ he said. SHORTER WORK WEEK CONFERENCE Aone day special conference to deal with the subject of shorter working time has been slated for the day prior to the IWA Wages and Contract Conferences for the Coast, Nor- thern and Southern Interior. Purpose of the conference is to determine the best manner in which the Union should approach the shorter work week. IMPORTANT NOTICE This ad can be the most important ad you have ever read. Many families are separated, with the father living in camp, and the wife and children living in town, simply because of lack of accommodation. Or many people are living in apartments, paying high rent because of large down payments on homes. Realizing this, REGAL MOBILE HOMES has devised a unique plan. Whereas concerned parties can pur- chase a new two or three bedroom Canadian built mobile home, fully furnished, for only $100.00 down, and as low as $135.00 monthly. Even if you have had credit problems in the past. Another important point is if you change jobs, you simply take your home with you. It’s less expensive than you may think. REGAL also offers free transportation and accommodation in the Nanaimo to view the home. Call collect, 758-7369 to make arrangements. Don’t be concerned if you have been turned down before. REGAL believes everyone deserves a second chance. $100 down also includes delivery anywhere in B.C., insurance and warranty. And also the satisfaction of being a home owner. Strike insurance also available. Call collect or write today. REGAL MOBILE HOMES, 3360 Island Hwy. N, Nanaimo, B.C. Call 758-7369 or 758-2247 anytime. role COINC Effective January 1, 1974, the maximum annual wage on which workmen’s compensa- tion payments are based will be increased from $8,600 to $9,600. This is done by the Work- men’s Compensation Board pursuant to section 31 of the Act. Maximum compensation is 75 percent of the maximum annual wage. Thus maximum compensation payable to workmen injured on or after January 1, 1974, will increase from $123.70 to $138.08 per week. A formula in the Workmen’s Compensation Act provides for a $1,000 increase in the maxi- mum wage rate when, in the preceding calendar year, at least 20 percent of the work- men covered received a wage CONGRESS RECOGNITION OF CHILE The 1.8-million member Canadian Labour Congress described Canada’s recog- nition of Chile’s military junta as a “hard blow against the growth of democratic insti- tutions in Latin America,” and urged that credit and aid be withheld until a return of democracy in Chile. “The CLC would have hoped that this recognition could have been withheld at least till the junta made a firm commit- ment to a prompt return to civilian and democratic rule,” CLC Executive Vice-President Joseph Morris commented in a letter addressed to Mitchell Sharp, secretary of state for external affairs. While it understands that the recognition does not imply any particular attitude to the new regime and that its sole pur- pose is to assure the safety and interest of Canadians and “many other persons af- fected”, the CLC said it hoped IDENCE? rate more than $1,000 highe than the current maximum and at least 45 percent of workmen covered are earninj more than the maximum. According to figures base on the Industrial Composite a Average Weekly Wages and Salaries in British Columbia published by Statistic Canada, the conditions for a increase in the maximum ha been met. Based upon the average B.C wage rate reported by. Statis tics Canada of $171.00 pe week, as of January, 1973, th WCB has determined that 37, percent of workmen employe@ in industries under the Act ar earning more than $1,000 excess of the current ma mum wage rate and that 514 percent are earning in exces: of the current maximum wag rate. ) SCORES the Canadian government wi make similar haste to “‘assu the safety of the 13,00 regugées who had made Chil a haven from militarism i other Latin American cou tries.” The -CLC also urged th Canadian government to take “strong, effective and visible role’ in urging the contin ation of the international cred freeze that had helped make the coup possible. “If th freely-elected Allende goverr ment was judged to lack ‘ered worthiness’ how much mor harshly should the judgmen (of international financie institutions) be on the ‘trus worthiness’ of this governme! imposed on the people ¢ Chile,’’ the CLC said. "4 “Credit and aid to Chil should only be restored whe the military return to — barracks and civilian | Ph. cratic rule is a CLC urged.