Bay rei at rae Se eerste 12 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER Ist Issue Aug. 1964 ONE UNION © ag one test should be applied to proposals to alter the structure of the Regional Council or limit its functions — the good and welfare of the Union’s entire membership. Attempts to gain temporary advantages for sectional interests do not meet this test as the de- velopment of the Union’s interests have clearly shown. One Union for one industry has proven to be a sound principle, and should not now be set aside for minor considerations. The interests of all sections of the Union’s member- ship are closely interlocked. The weight of influence exercised by the Union derives from the unity of all the members working in harmony on all vital issues. The employers have devised a common front on all labour- management matters which operates to defeat trade union aims. Sectionalism in the Union can only usefully serve their purposes and not those of IWA members. Years of experience have demonstrated the value of a common program of action on the part of sawmill workers, plywood workers and loggers. Special needs of each section have been given priority when the oc- casion demanded. On all matters of vital importance, each section has profited when the most urgent need of the day has been backed by the entire membership. The same principle applies to the Union’s policy toward sections of the membership in those areas other than the coast area where lies the greatest concentration of woodworkers. We refer to the interior and the other Western provinces. Members in these areas are produc- ing the same type of commodity for the same markets. Neglect of their organization and interests could soon create the extremely dangerous threat of sub-standard wages and conditions to undermine coast conditions and throttle progress at the coast. Every experienced negotiator knows that the most dangerous argument at the bargaining table is proof that the employer’s competitors are able to produce with lowered labour costs. The constant effort to organize the unorganized in the lumber industry throughout Western Canada has made the IWA the largest and most influential union west of the Great Lakes. Organization of the unorgan- ized has been possible because woodworkers when or- ganized all share in the Union’s policy-making on a footing of equality. The IWA was founded originally because no section of the woodworkers would accept a second-class position in relation to the conduct of any union's affairs. Woodworkers broke with the Carpenters on just this point. The test suggested at the outset is now of vital im- portance in dealing with the most urgent problems of the day. The new techniques required for broad negotia- tions demand the ability to influence public opinion to offset the organized employers’ unremitting propaganda. This requires centralized effort backed by a prestige gained through the strength of an undivided mem- bership. The trend toward automation is developing on an industry-wide basis. It can be met only on the same basis. The effects of automation cannot be tackled piecemeal. All sections must share in the development of a common policy, and the policy when adopted must have the complete support of all sections. To split the functions of the Regional Council on a section basis would invite disaster. The problems of automation will never be completely settled at the bargaining table. They will soon require active public support to gain necessary protective leg- islation. In this field, the Union must show a united front. Woodworkers cannot safely adjust to automation on one basis in one area and on another basis in other i of trade union democracy sections share equally in responsibility and e: PRESIDENT'S DESK SOUTHERN INTERIOR GAINS By JACK MOORE The membership in the Southern Interior have now voted to accept the proposals for their new contract. This completes negotia- tions in B.C. this year with the exception of Local 1-288, the lumber inspectors’ local. The Southern Interior settlement calls for a 37c across the board increase spread. over three years, 57c per hour increase for trades- men, and changes in vacations with pay, statutory holidays, travel time, swing shift, pay days, and other clauses bringing the con- tract conditions of the Southern Interior woodworkers in line with Coast woodwork- ers. The settlements made this year on the Coast and in the Northern and Southern In- terior are the best ever negotiated by our Union. There were, however, strong pockets of objection to the advisability of signing a three-year contract. The differences of opini- on expressed denoted a healthy state of affairs in the Southern Interior organization. The Policy Committee of the’ Regional Council after weighing all the advantages against the disadvantages of the Southern In- terior settlement proposals and after explor- ing all possible courses of action which might be taken, recommended acceptance; the mem- bers by secret ballot upheld the Policy Com- mittee’s recommendation. POLICY COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS This brings me to the functions of the Regional Policy Committee which are now being questioned. The false assumption is made that the Policy Committee has. dicta- torial powers. Actually, the functions of the Committee are purely advisory. In every COWBOY COMMENTATORS Clarence Budington Kel- instance, the issues are decided by the mem- bership. Another false assumption is made to the | effect that advantages would accrue if every area or every Local Union could negotiate . with greater independence. Actually every negotiating unit has a very large degree of autonomy. On~no occasion has the Policy - Committee disregarded the views of the Ne- gotiating Committee whose members are elected from and by the membership. If our Union is to maintain a strong bar- — gaining position, it must maintain a co-ordin- ~ ating agency at the Regional level. This co- ordination should allow for consideration of all points of view. The special needs of a par- ticular bargaining area must also be. consid- , ered in the light of the welfare of the entire membership. This has always been done. It is an extremely risky procedure to split the functions of the Region in order to pre- serve or advance special sectional interests. It would be a most unhappy situation if we found ourselves again with wide disparities in agreement and arrangements and a com- plete lack of uniformity in contract pro- visions, This desirable unity of action and purpose | becomes of special importance as we face the | grave issues of the future. Why should we fail to co-ordinate our efforts to deal with the effects of automation? How can we make real progress if we split the functions of the Union | on an area basis and divide ourselves in a manner that allows the stronger Locals to go their own way in complete disregard of the _ needs of the weaker Locals? Such was never | an accepted trade union principle. N.D.P. Convention amendments land, the novelist, noticed a cowboy enjoying a cup of cof- fee outside a ranch house and asked if he could have one too. The cowboy held out his own cup: “Here, take this one. It’s all saucered and blowed.” A RATAN Ts) 2 hae TORONTO (CPA)—A sig- nificant change in the repre- sentation to council of the New Democratic Party was adopted by the delegates at their biennial convention held in Toronto August 10, 11, 12. Published twice monthly as the official publication of the <