14 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER ORGANIZATION IWA More than 2,000 woodwork- ers in Western Canada have been organized into the Union since the last I.W.A. Regional Convention, J. C. Walls, In- ternational Assistant Director of Organization, reports in re- viewing the past year’s organ- izing activities. RECORD NUMBER He said that a record num- ber of bargaining certificates have been received in the Re- gion from the Provincial La- bour Relations Boards. To date, seventy-two applications for union recognition have been made; sixty-eight have been approved and four are pending. In comparison, in 1965, sixty-six certificates were approved, representing a gain of 1,341 new members. The cooperation and organ- izational interest in the Local Unions continues at a very high level, the Organization Director said. This has been an invaluable aid to the five Regional Organizers in the field and no doubt accounts in large measure for the suc- cess achieved, Walls stated. During the past fiscal year, the IWA organizational drive has been concentrated in five main areas: Northern British Columbia, Northern Saskat- chewan, the Columbia River Hydro system, the Fraser Val- ley and four selected targets encompassing certain opera- tions that have resisted union organization for some fifteen to twenty years. PRINCE GEORGE In Northern British Colum- bia, organizing drives were conducted in Local 1-424 and Local 1-417. In the Prince George Local eleven opera- tions were organized, netting approximately 605 new mem- bers. In the. Salmon Arm Local, in the Valemount area, four operations were organ- ized and the groundwork has been laid to organize another four, at the opportune time. 69 new members were added there. What is believed to be the first I.W.A. joint certification has been made on behalf of Cranbrook Local 1-405 and Kelowna Local 1-423. The joint bargaining unit covers the employees of Comet Con- struction Ltd. who are work- ing on the forest land-clearing projects along the Arrow Lakes on the Columbia Hydro system. The Local Unions concerned have negotiated an excellent contract. There is REPORT an air-tight contractors, sub- contractors clause; wage rates for Labour started at $2.57 per hour, rising in three stages to $3.24 per hour on March 1, 1967. Fallers, Mar- ketable Timber $3.25 rising to $3.79 on March 1, 1967, Cat- Bulldozers D-6, 7, 8, 9 or equivalent — $3.56 and rising in stages to $3.96. In Local 1-417 another land clearing crew employed by Zirnitis Logging Ltd. was cer- tified on June 20, 1966. In Haney Local 1-367, eight operations have been organ- ized, adding some 224 new members to‘the Loeal Union’s rolls. In Local 1-357, organ- ization of Union Bus Sales (1962) Ltd. was completed. However, this company is claiming that it’s not the em- ployer of some 100 employees but that there are five other companies involved who are the employers of various num- bers of the group. The Union alleges this is a subterfuge skilifully arranged so as to circumvent the Labour Rela- tions Act. The Labour Board’s decision is expected momen- tarily. SOUTHERN INTERIOR In the British Columbia Southern Interior, there have been four major operations that have “resisted” union organization for periods of fifteen to twenty years. Over the years many futile at- tempts were made to unionize these plants. They were a thorn in the side of the organ- ized workers.. When it be- came necessary to strike the Southern Interior to obtain the workers’ just demands, these plants operated at full capacity. At the conclusion of contract settlements, the employers gave the “hold- out” operations’ employees most of the I.W.A.-won bene- fits. The Organization De- partment determined to do something about this situa- tion. Thus early this year the four targets were picked out as major objectives. Trautman - Garraway Lid. at Peachland, fourteen miles south of Kelowna, was chosen as the first target. This com- pany was owned by the S. M. Simpson Company of Kelow- na. When the Crown Zeller- bach Company acquired Simpson’s, it also took over Trautman-Garraway. In a blitz campaign, the plant was successfully organ- ized and application for certi- fication was made. While the Union’s applica- tion was pending, a petition requesting the Labour Rela- tions Board to conduct a rep- resentation vote of the em- ployees, was circulated about the plant during working hours by two nephews of plant bosses. Pressure was ORGANIZATIONAL GROUP from right to left: seated, Ron Roley, International Second Vice President and International Director of Organization; Clayton Walls, International Assistant Director of Organization in Region No. 1; standing, Jim Rouw; Vern Griffith; Frank Stitch; R. E. “Dick” Larson and Mike Sekora, Regional Organizers. brought to bear on employees to sign the petition. In two cases, according to informa- tion given the Union, threats were made against certain employees who refused to sign the petition. The Organization Depart- ment countered by making a submission to the Labour Re- lations Board offering to sub- stantiate the above allega- tions. The Union further re- quested the Labour Board to investigate the validity of the petition and the authenticity of the names appearing there- on. Ignoring the Union’s sub- mission, the Board ordered a representation vote. Employ- ees voted in favour of the I.W.A. in spite of the fact that two bosses sat outside in a car, in proximity to the poll- ing place, buttonholing em- ployees on their way to vote. Local 1-423 was certified on March 15, 1966. COOKE LUMBER Many unsuccessful drives were made to organize the Cooke Lumber Co. Ltd. plant at Greenwood. The last effort to unionize the operation was in the spring of 1964. Two Union members had been fired. The Union immediately launched a legal action before the B.C. Labour Board on April 3. In charging “unfair labour practices” the Union sought orders (i) to reinstate the discharged employees with full reimbursement of wages lost by reason of the dismissal and (ii) requested the Board to issue “cease and desist Orders” against the company to restrain further interference with Union or- ganization. For reasons known only to the Labour Board, a split decision was given — rejecting the request to reinstate the fired men but finding the company guilty of illegal interference by issuing orders to cease and desist from interfering in the forma- tion of the Union. Again, some two months of careful planning culminated in a blitz campaign in which more than 80% of the 78 em- ployees joined the I.W.A. and application for certification was made, Later the same week, the figure rose to 90%. PLANT ORGANIZED Immediately after the ap- plication for certification was filed, the Assistant Director of Organization and two Or- ganizers paid the owner a visit at the plant. They hand- ed him an official letter, noti- fying him that the Union had organized the plant and that according to the Labour Rela- tions Act an application was “pending.” Following this meeting, the Union encoun- tered no difficulties whatso- ever with management. Local 1-423 was certified on July 26, 1966 and has completed nego- tiating a contract without any major obstacles. The last time organization in Holding Forest Products Ltd. was attempted it was eleven years ago. On August 10, 1966, an application for certification was filed with the Labour Relations Board. Very stiff opposition by the com- pany is being met. Attempts have been made by company officials to intimidate union organizers who have been handing out bulletins at the plant gates. In one alterca- tion, the company superinten- dent is alleged to have as- saulted an organizer, by slam- ming the car door against the organizer’s leg, injuring it. The Union is contemplating legal charges. UNFAIR PRACTICES The Union has laid unfair labour practices charges against the company. The La- bour Board has set the date for a hearing. As the matter has yet to come before the Board, the charges can not be published at this time. Suffice to say that there is evidence that the company is involved in a revocation campaign among the employees to have them resign from the union. Too, unfortunately an inci- dent occurred that kicked off the organization drive prema- turely, in advance of the plan- ned date. The fourth target is in the planning stages. One of the leading forest products companies of the American Pacific North West, the Simpson ‘limber Com- pany, built a modern 2.5 mil- lion dollar plant at Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, The plant was opened on October 18, 1965. When operating at full capacity, the plant will em- ploy about 100 men. | . COMPANY UNION As the plant was nearing completion, certain employees in concert with company of- ficials set up a “company un- ion” known as the “Hudson Bay and District Forestry Employees Union.” On November 1, 1965, the company union made an ap- plication for plant bargaining rights to the Saskatchewan Labour Relations board. On November 19, the I.W.A. filed an intervention alleging the Hudson Bay and District Forestry Employees Union was in fact “a company- dominated organization and not a trade union within the meaning of the Trade Union Act.” The I.W.A. also made a counter application for certifi- cation to represent the em- ployees. The Saskatchewan Labour Board held a four day hear- ing on the I.W.A. allegations in the City of Regina, com- mencing December 7, 1965. The Labour Board upheld — the I.W.A. charges and in an unprecedented decision de- clared the Hudson Bay and District Forestry Employees Union “fa company-dominated organization and not a trade ~ union within the meaning of the Trade Union Act.” See “REPORT” — Page 15 a * ae “4 teas