ms - A THE WESTERN Owing | het Wy Incorporating The b.2. Lumbernuorker Official Publication of the International Woadwarkere of romertea Regional Council No. 1 VOL. XXVIII, No. 10 = VANCOUVER, B.C. 2nd Issue May, 1961 sc PER COPY SETTLEMENT RECOMMENDED Vote “Yes” For These Reasons The IWA Regional Policy Committee recommends that [WA members in the coast Local Unions vote “YES” in favour of the pro- posed settlement outlined on this page. The recommendation was made after long and care- ful consideration of all the factors involved by a committee which is representative of the Local Unions and closely in touch with mem-. bership opinion. IWA members are asked to consider the circum- stances which influenced the Committee’s decision. Best Interests Of The Membership The settlement proposed for this year’s negotia- tions is believed to be in the best interest of the mem- bership, having regard to both immediate and long- range needs. Two important bargaining aims have been fully realized — health and welfare as well as statutory holidays — and will become permanent features of the master contract. The employers’ pro- posed wage cuts, and proposals, to weaken the contract have been set aside. Contract provisions have been strengthened to meet threats to job security. The Union will be placed in a strong position to renew its demands next year for remaining contract aims. Responsibility Carried Out When it was made evident that this settlement was possible, it became the responsibility of the Policy Committee to inform the membership and request ac- ceptance or rejection. Because of its knowledge of all the facts, the committee accepted responsibility for a recommendation to accept. This enables a clear-cut and democratic decision. The Alternative Course The only other course open to the Committee was to discard this settlement and continue in conciliation. The Conciliation Officer might then be expected to recommend that a Concilation Board be appointed or only that no Conciliation Board be appointed (per-| _ mitted in Bill 42 amendments). Conciliation Board Prospects The Committee believes that consideration of the dispute by a Concilation Board, repeating unfortunate past experiences, would not bring substantial additional gains, In fact, there would be the grave risk of a watered-down health and welfare plan, and the inclu- sion in another proposed settlement of some of the employers’ pr one such as category wage cuts and increased board rates. A comprehensive health and welfare plan is the outstanding feature of a proposed settlement negotiated in the dispute with the coast lumber operators and recommended by the IWA Regional Policy Committee for acceptance by the Union’s membership in a one-year contract. Ballots have been issued for a referendum on the question, “Are you in favour of accepting the proposed settlement of the 1961. Coast Industry Negotiations?” The Policy Committee asks for a “YES” vote. Voting results will be tabulated June 17. After six weeks spent in an arduous effort to conciliate the dispute, the IWA Negotiating Committee re-opened direct negotiations with the employers’ ‘representatives. When the possibilities of a settlement became evident, both negotiating teams undertook to refer the pro- posed settlement to the companies involved and the members of IWA Coast Local Unions. Ratification of the settlement will establish the Union’s health jand welfare objectives, and secure all of the nine statutory holidays. The terms of the proposed settlement are as follows: An Industry-Wide Health and Welfare Plan With Medical coverage for all, with benefits to be transferable from operation to operation. Medical coverage during periods of unemployment, up to six months. Medical coverage now in effect to continue as part of consolidated plan, with a fifty per cent contribution from the employers. Additional Insurance Provisions Life Insurance, of $5000 for each qualified employee. Weekly sickness indemnity of $85 per week for 26 weeks. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance of $5000 for all. Insurance to be on a uniform basis in all operations and carried by one insurance company. Joint Trusteeship — administration to be controlled by a Board of Trustees, with an equal number of trustees named by the Union and management. 2 One additional paid statutory holiday — Boxing Day in manufac- turing plants, and an additional holiday at Easter in logging camps. 3. Revision of rates for engineers and firemen. An increase of 5 cents an hour for 4th class engineer, 8 cents an hour for 38rd class engi- neer, and 10 cents an hour for 2nd class engineer. Firemen holding a Ath class ticket or better will receive a premium of 414 cents an our. Strike Action An Eventuality 4 Casual labour to be confined to weekends, with preference of em- Unsatisfactory recommendations from a Concilia- ployment for regular employees who are laid off. tion Board would call for a strike vote. The Policy Committee would require reasonable assurance that an|5 Improved procedure for the finalization = rates for new and re- eager strike aot would cee the ar s posi. vised jobs. tion, otherwise bargaining strength wou e lost. : the employers remained adamant, then consideration 6 Job Posting — strengthening of present procedures. of strike action would follow. This is an eventuality|’77 Procedure for issuing withdrawal cards to employees promoted to be considered if the proposed settlement is rejected. from the bargaining unit to supervisory positions. -ppelicanbgatd 8 Arbitration proceedings to be speeded up. WHAT'S the advantages of the set-/9 Uniform interpretation and application of seniority rules to be | INSIDE tlement in hand against agreed upon. the risks and uncertaintie sa ‘ : of the kandi cs ops 10 Union to give letter that when a reduction of forces is necessary CLO en 3 mentioned above. The be- during a shift, seniority need not be invoked for the balance of the Editorial... 4 See “YES VOTE” Page 2 shift. Safety ........ 5 LISTEN To President ... 6 a eager 7 7:00 p.m. 1 'CKP ( Ist and Last Thursday [In Brief... 8 [ ech () men Thursday = ° 6:00 p.m. ‘i , ¢