WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER

On Tap

This column directs attention to readily available sources of information of
value to trade unionists, Unlike the ordinary book review, it sketches in some of

the more pertinent facts for the convenience of those who may not have the oppor-
tunity to read the source material. Subjects are selected only because of their
bearing on present-day trade union problems (The Editors).

_ The Swedish Way

“Trade Unions in Sweden” published by the Swedish Confed-
eration of Trade Unions (LO) provides a useful bird’s-eye view
of the Swedish labour movement. The survey has been prepared
to deal especially with the many questions of visitors and students

from other countries.

In a well-organized symposium prepared by fifteen, labour
writers, it traces the developments which have made the Swedish
trade union movement one of the foremost institutions of that
country. One out of every four Swedes is a union member, and

occurred since 1920, in which year
time lost due to strikes averaged 5
days per worker.

This proved a turning point after
which negotiated agreements between
the two sides of industry began to
replace open conflict as the form of
solution for opposing views.

Mutual Education

The survey states, “The opposing
sides had mutually educated one an-
other. Since the union movement had
strengthened its position to the point
where practically all organizable
wage-earners in most branches of
industry are union members, and
where the unions have built up a
stable economic foundation, ‘the em-
ployers became more and more con-
scious that open conflicts were expen-
sive and burdensome to production.”

Swedish employers have abandoned
the tactic of trying to operate with
strike-breakers during a strike. The

one out of every five belongs to an LO union.

This significant paragraph appears
in the foreword written by LO Presi-
dent Arne Geijer,‘also President of
the ICFTU.

Foreword

“The traditions of the labour move-
ment go far back in Sweden, but yet
there is probably a less degree of
government intervention in industrial
relations than in any other country.
The Swedish Confederation of Trade
Unions — LO — is firmly convinced
that solidarity between the two
branches of the labour movement is
a necessity in a welfare state. There-
fore, our financial and organizational
support to the Social Democratic
Party is generous and. may be re-

garded as part of the union activity

in the domains where we have ac-
cepted, by tradition, the necessity of
legislation; social insurance and re-
tirement pensions.

“On the other hand, there is never
any dispute over estimates of the
prospects in wage policy formed with
a sense of responsibility by the work-
ers’ and employers’ central organiza-
tions. I am fully convinced that the
freedom from government interfer-
ence in this respect has contributed
a great deal towards establishing the
reputation of Sweden as the country
without strikes.” :

The development of a remarkable
degree of labour peace in Sweden has

change in relations has resulted from
a more effective system of negotiation
and a more effective acceptance of
responsibility on both sides.

During the last decade approxi-
mately 99% of disputes were solved
through negotiated agreements.
‘Sweden has developed what is
called, ‘‘a wage policy of solidarity”.
This co-ordinated wage policy is in
striking contrast to negotiating stra-
tegy on this continent, and deserves
close study. It appears to result in
co-ordination at the national level,
without sacrificing the necessary dif-
ferentation by industries.

Its aims are: (1) to assure wage-
earners a reasonable share of the
national product, (2) to create just
and reasonable relationships between
the wage of various groups, and (3)

Senate Report Upholds
Trade Union Policies —

Report of the Senate Commit-
tee on Manpower and Employ-
ment contains recommendations
which have been advocated by
the Canadian Labour Congress,
declared President Claude Jodoin
in a press release. He said.

“While we have not yet had an
opportunity to make a detailed study
of the report of the Senate Commit-
tee on Manpower and Employment,
there are certain features of it which
we can welcome wholeheartedly. The
committee recognizes the necessity
of re-establishing an adequate rate
of economic growth and of co-ordi-
nating monetary and fiscal policies
for this purpose.

It recommends expansion of credit,

geared to growing output and em-

ployment. It urges a comprehensive
study of our monetary and financial
machinery. It recommends an_ in-
crease in our investment in social
capital and people.

“These are all matters which the
Canadian Labour Congress has re-
peatedly emphasized in its submis-
sions to the government and to var-
ious public bodies, including the
Senate Committee itself. The Con-
gress hopes the government will give
the report the immediate and careful
examination it deserves and take
prompt and effective action to carry
out its main recommendations.”

to serve the demands of the national
economy.

The wage policy expresses a high
degree of centralism, but it is claimed
that full employment in Sweden has

“| come to stay.

Political Action

Of the total membership of the
Swedish Social Democratic Party,
796,000, or more than 60%, are col-
lectively affiliated through the unions.
A decision on affiliation can be taken
by those present at a union meeting
or through a secret ballot as may be
desired.

Co-operation between the Party
and the LO is assured by the fact
that the members of the LO Execu-
tive Board are elected members of

the party executive. It is an unwrit-
ten rule that the President of LO
is sent to Parliament as a_ party
representative.

During the last three decades,
when the Social Democratic Party
has been in power, Ministers of the
Government have often submitted
questions of policy to the LO Execu-
tive Board for discussion. Before a
bargaining period, LO and the Social
Democrats usually meet to discuss
details of the general economic policy.

Another interesting section des-
cribes how LO has entered the pub-
lication field in a large way. 191
daily papers are published in Sweden,
of which 33 are owned by the labour

movement with a _ readership of
858,000.

MEET THREE GENERATIONS OF THE PARIS FAMILY
A DYNASTY OF SHO

YOUR GUARDIANS OF A GREAT TRADITION

Steve - George -

Pierre - Mike - Greg

- Roger - Richard

Pierre, founder and proud grandfather, shows the:four boys how to pull over and keep the upper properly balanced.

He also points out the importance of pulling the upper tight for good arch-fitting. These are points that distinguish

the true shoe craftsman and reach down to the roots of the Paris philosophy:

“ONLY MAN CAN PROFIT BY EXPERIENCE,
AND EXPERIENCE IS BEST HANDED DOWN
WITHIN THE FAMILY" ;

Pierre Paris E- Sons

51 WEST HASTINGS STREET

Tel. MU 5-0164

VANCOUVER 3, B.C.

”

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