Labor around the province Canadian Labor Congress plans national human rights campaign An intensive campaign for human rights in Canada was worked out at the first meet- ing of the National Commit- tee for Human Rights of the Canadian Labor Congress, held recently in Ottawa. Plans call for a national con- ference in the spring of 1957 with participation of outstan- ding speakers and consultants from Canada and. the US. Questions to be discussed will include religious and racial discrimination, problems of the new Canadian, status of the native Indian, civil liber- ties and other related prob- lems. It is expected that the con- ference will attract partici- pants from every province, from national organizations, governmental departments and universities. x $e at As the Pacific Tribune went to press, James Barton, presi- dent of the B.C. Trade Union Congress (TLC) made the surprise announcement that he would not attend this week’s historic merger conven- tion of the TLC and CCL pro- vincial bodies. He further announced he would not stand for office in the new B.C. Fed- eration of Labor, which will result from the merger of TUC and the B.C. Federation of Labor (CCL). The announcement was made last Tuesday, while Barton, assistant business manager of Local 170, Plumbers’ Union, was in Washington, D.C., at- tending a policy meeting of his union. Barton was orig- inally scheduled to share the chairmanship of the* conven- tion with Dan Radford of the B.C. Federation. Up to the time of the announcement, Barton was generally conced- ed to be in line for the presi- dency of the new federation, with the secretaryship going to an officer of the former CCL body. st o es In New Westminster, a con- ciliation board recommended reclassifications with wage in- creases ranging from eight to ten cents an hour in many cases for employees of J. Leckie Tannery. They — are members of Local 515, Amal- gamated Meat Cutters. JAMES BARTON Wooden box makers in Ver- non, employed by the Vernon Box and Pine Company, sign- ed a one-year agreement with provisions for the 40-hour week, two extra statutory holi- days with pay and a seven- cent across the board increase. Local 2861, Lumber and Saw- mill Workers, represented the workers. be xt xt At Sicamous, IWA Local 1- 417 won a seven-cent wage in- crease, three more statutory holidays with pay, six percent holiday pay after five years and a health and welfare plan, in an agreement with Shus- wap Timbers Limited. Vancouver Shorewokers of the United Fishermen and Al- ied Workers’ Union have re- quested Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent to protest any in- crease in U.S. tariffs on pro- cessed fish imported from Canada. : x xt 5 Os Electrical Workers employ- ed by Neon in Vancouver have rejected a 14 and 14 deal over two years. Members of the same union employed by the B.C. District Telegraph have rejected a conciliation board recommendation of 12% in- crease in pay over two years. os 503 x Nine employees of the Good- year Tire Company, 1004 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, are curently striking for a 35 cent wage increase. o sos xt Inside wiremen, members of Local 213, International Broth- erhood of Electrical Workers, voted this week to accept the record-breaking offer of a 57- cent wage increase spread over two years. Before the contract expires, their rate will go up to $2.99 an hour. This local is under interna- tional administration but the rank-and-file forced the pace by a 96 percent strike vote and a threat to strike whether or not international headquar- ters gave permission. Martin assailed for hospital wage freeze Provincial Health Minister Eric Martin was first snubbed and then sharply criticized by British Columbia’s hospital workers last week. To show their displeasure with his wage freeze, instituted in 1953, members of Hospital Employ- ees Local 180 did not invite him to their convention, held in Burnaby. William Black, the union’s business manager, blasted the minister for planning to con- tinue the wage freeze. “The minister has, in effect, in- structed hospital boards not CHOIR - Toronto Guest Artist, CONCERT UKRAINIAN ORCHESTRA —- SUNDAY - NOVEMBER 18 - 8 P.M. HASTINGS ODEON THEATRE 20 West Hastings Sophia Romanko-Mucak, Soloist CONVENTION BANQUET — SAT., NOV. 17 - 6:30 P.M. 805 East Pender Street DANCERS to bargain in good faith,” he charged. The. three-day convention accused Martin of “usurping” the powers of the B.C. Labor Department. Early in the proceedings a resolution was passed calling for a united labor front against the hospital wage freeze. Delegates pointed out that Martin’s directives had: 1 Instructed hospitals not to be bound by arbitration boards in respect to wages and fringe benefits. 2 Informed them that hos- pitals faced with increas- ed costs in ’57 could not count on provincial sup- port. Provincial Labor Minister Lyle Wicks called upon dele- gates to “assist your govern- ment to get a better financial arrangement from Ottawa. Then this government would be in a better position to help you help yourselves.” In reply, Black stated: “Our quarrel. is with Eric Martin and, that is where it is going to stay. British Columbia’s economy is buoyant enough to afford the hospital work- ers a reasonable standard cf living equal to the rest of the organized working force.” “Charge U.S. ‘promises’ crucified Hungary. 4 oil Radio Free Europe for, losses in Hungary.” These headlin ol appeared on the front pages of two Toronto dailies om day this week. The first was carried over an interview with McLeod, a Regina student who was visiting Budapest when the fighting. began. Mc- Leod said he left Hungary with “the - profoundest love for the Hungarian people and respect for their courage.” Then he ‘added: “But I also have a deeper resentment than I can express for what was done to them by the U.S.-sponsored Radio Free Europe. Its broadcasts actual- ly encouraged Hungarian workers to believe that once they started the rebellion they’d be getting help from the West in their drive for freedom.” The second headline covered an Associated Press report from Munich stating: “West German and French newspapers are airing charges that Radio Free Europe stir- red up Hungarians to revolt and by promising help from the outside kept the fight gc- ing after all was lost.” Student places blame on Radio Free Europe John T a U.S. magazine buys Mindszenty story BUDAPES Cardinal Mindszenty ia sod the story of his. trial imprisonment by the Hunge” ian People’s Democratic oe ernment to a U.S. 7 for $250,000. ~ Mindszenty oppos tion of the People’s tic state because it 4 his traditional power on all - legislation. from imprisonment he made a broadcast sostil dapest demanding res of capitalism and return ° , : Catholic Church’s huge war holdings. There wt ports he might head 2 coun revolutionary governme et When Soviet troops Us Budapest he fled to t embassy. = ja i ; elease! —_— 7 Please enter [J renew [J THIS PREMIUM OFFER CANT BE REPEATED! Those Stormy Years hy George Hardy Stirring pages from B.C. labor history hy GET YOUR COPY NOW WHILE THEY LAST le FILL IN AND MAIL NOW Al : ah Tq ., Sti Tribune Publishing Co. Ltd. - Room 6 - 426 Main § Vancouver 4, B.C. my subscription and s¢ e Those Stormy Years (regular price $2.75) as @ P 15¢ and 6 months sub — Total $3.00 50c and 1 year sub — Total $4.50 Enclosed with this order is $ -_~_ as SeraeErE et ee - —e end jum oO ched [] Money order NOVEMBER 16, 1956 — PACIFIC TRIBU NE —