Ist Issue October, 1967 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER FROM PAGE 1 "CONVENTION SCORES HOUSING LACK" pay outlined in the Fire Fighting Memorandum.” An emergency resolution submitted during the debate on the deplorable lack of housing in Canada, demanded that the federal government “immediately roll back the interest ceiling to 4% per cent.” The resolution was promp- ted by the news that the NHA interest rates were being raised to 8% per cent. Delegates pointed out that the average Canadian cannot afford adequate housing at to- day’s prices and this was hav- ing a disastrous effect on family life. They proposed that the CLC and the B.C. Federation work with all levels of government to al- leviate this problem by: e Subsidizing housing. © Setting low interest rates. © Building low cost housing developments. e Providing long term land leases. They further proposed that all levels of labour make every effort to inform mem- bers as to the present availa- bility. of funds for housing and to petition local govern- ment to take advantage of present housing programmes that are now available. Syd Thompson, president of Local 1-217, suggested that labour should get into the housing business by taking advantage of the provisions of the Housing Act. He pointed out that by putting up ten per cent of the money required for low-rental hous- ing, the other 90 per cent of the total cost would be sup- plemented by the government. He made it clear that he was not interested in seeing the IWA become a business union. He stated, however, that with an investment of $100,000 the Union could, un- der the Housing Act, obtain’ $900,000 from the government to build low-cost housing. This he added would be one way of alleviating the current housing shortage. The plight of tenants pres- ently being victimized by un- scrupulous landlords also came in for wide discussion. Delegates charged that apart- ment owners were bleeding their tenants white and there was no protection under the law to prevent this hap- pening. The delegates approved a resolution calling for legisla- tion requiring landlords to post rental rates for all suites, give three months’ notice of rent increases, provide ade- quate maintenance and give reasons for evictions. The resolution also pro- posed establishment of an ap- peal board to which tenants could take complaints on ex- orbitant rents and unfair practices. A proposal submitted by the Regional executive board to amend the Regional Con- stitution to have legal costs incurred in getting certifica- tion paid for out of the strike fund, went down to defeat. Those opposed to the measure argued that such a move would open the door of the strike fund to other purposes than what it was set up for. Regional president Moore pointed out by turning the proposal down, the delegates were making the job of or- ganizing the unorganized an almost impossible task. Others added that the Local Unions would be loath to call on the services of the organizers if the Locals had to foot the bill of legal costs involved. Other important resolutions dealt with called for: e The observance on Mon- days of all national statu- tory holidays falling on Sat- urday or Sunday. © The enactment of those por- tions of the Tysoe Report recommendations pertinent to IWA members and all working people in British Columbia. © Legislative changes design- ed to introduce a govern- ment-controlled automobile insurance plan. e The IWA to endorse the principle of one Union for all workers in the forest products industry. © The IWA to continue to press for the abolition of Bill 43. RATE INCREASE The latest boost in interest rates on residential first mort- gages has aroused all-round and vigorous opposition. The increase to 8% per cent for government-guaran- teed NHA mortgages is a record high for the postwar years, almost doubling the cost to a -homeowner over rates 10 years ago. A leading home builder called the increase in rates “a crooked crap game.” “Tt’s the only game in town and people have to have a roof over their heads so they’re going to have to buy houses at whatever rate they can get.” In 1957, the NHA mortgage rate was 5% per cent.. The monthly payment on the maximum $13,000 mortgage was $79.36 and the qualifying salary $4,638 a year. The av- erage wage in manufacturing in 1957 was around $70 a week, or about $3,500 a year. Now the rate is 8% per cent on a maximum $18,000 mort- gage and the monthly pay- ment is $140.28. The qualify- ing salary $8,012. The average manufacturing wage is under $100 a week, or about $5,000 a year. In the 10 year period the spread between the qualifying incomes in 1957 and 1967 has widened substantially. In other words, the qualifying income in 1957 was about one- third higher than the average wage in manufacturing in- dustry; now the qualifying in- come is over 50 .per- cent higher. r. DELEGATES FROM LOCAL 1-405, CRANBROOK UAW PLEDGE $1 PER DAY A delegation of 200 Cana- dian members of the United Auto Workers pledged sup- port for a dues increase of up to $1 a day to support striking members in the United States. The decision was made at a quarterly meeting of the Canadian council, represent- ing 110,000 UAW members. It was proposed that the $5 monthly dues be augmented by a day’s pay a month. Strike benefits are $20 weekly for a single employee, and $30 if married. George Burt, Canadian di- rector of the union, told the meeting they were in for the fight of their lives. “Our $67,000,000 strike fund will be just an opener,” he said. “We are up against a united front with General Motors calling the shots. The dues issue will be studied by a specially called UAW convention in Detroit _ October 8. NEW GROUP BACKS NDP In a drastic departure of past policy, the Ontario sec- tion of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) is urging its members to work and vote for New Democratic Party candidates in the provincial election October 17th. hie Pa ae MURRAY DREW Host President The following proposals were advanced by Local 1-118 president Murray Drew in his address to the conven- tion as president of the Host Local: “T don’t believe one should criticize without trying to put forth a solution. “That being the case I’m going to make a few sugges- tions to try and accomplish some of those things I’m sure we all desire; that is the clos- ing of the wage gap which now exists within our union. “I would suggest that: radia te St AMS 98 8 “(1) There be set up a strategy committee made up of the International Officers, the International Research Director, and a member or members from each Regional p-. Council within ‘the IWA.-~ - “(2) This committee set objectives, International-wise, in respect to negotiations with the prime purpose that all woodworkers receive the same rates of pay for the same work performed regardless of the area. (In south, North West, Canada, etc.) “(3) And that target dates be established for the accom- plishment of these objectives. .““(4) That this be spear- headed by the International Officers. “This I believe all of us can agree will not be an easy task, but one I sincerely be- lieve must be done if we are to survive and grow as a tru- ly International union. “We are past the hoping stage. It’s now time for action. “It’s not enough just to have parity within a region.. We must in all haste obtain parity for our membership within the whole of the Inter- national Woodworkers of America for survival. Thank you.” FED. INJUNCTION CAMPAIGN The B.C. Federation of La- bour executive has authorized the spending of $25,000 for its campaign against the use of injunctions in labour disputes. The money is being used on weekly newspaper ads in both Vancouver and _ out-of-town papers, as well as bus’ boards and billboards. . The- Federation hopes to continue the campaign indefi- nitely and is appealing to trade unionists to play their part by contributing one dol- lar to the COPE (Committee on Political Education) Fund.