b Se Eg | THE WESTERN CANADIAN * 7 * . s - id A > ’ ’ . LU WORKER AUTHORIZED AS SECOND CLASS MAIL, POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, OTTAWA, AND FOR PAYMENT OF’ POSTAGE IN CASH. Vol. XXXII, No. 17 VANCOUVER, B.C. 5c PER COPY eS’ 2nd Issue August, 1966 A ELECT THE NDP By JACK MOORE IWA Regional President eo DAY 1966 marks the opening of a new phase in the continuing struggle of B.C.’s trade unions. Well-fought and successful battles on the economic front have taken on political over- tones. The September 12th provincial election will focus attention as never before on the need for less restrictive labour legislation and social measures urgently required by B.C. workers. Management's political pressures on the eld parties to cripple labour’s bargaining strength compels organized labour to act in its own right in support of necessary legisla- tive changes — changes that now require a -change in government. Unless the trade unions unify and employ their maximum political strength, the fruits ef hard-won economic victories may be snatched away. Now that we have won better wages, we must make certain that our increased buy- ing power is not completely cancelled out by rapidly rising prices. The attempt is being made to place the blame for rising prices on increased wages. This can be denied emphatically, Wages have lagged behind prices, which are “man- aged” by monopolistic business interests. The increased output per man-hour of la- bour has justified higher wages. Labour costs per unit of production have not risen signi- ficantly for ten years. Profits per unit of pro- duction have risen tenfold that of any in- crease in unit labour costs. During an election campaign we can de- mand that steps be taken to increase the T FIRE wiped out the Rayonier sawmill operation in New Westminster 20, 1966. Pictured above is a giant Martin Mars waterbomber In meetings between Local water on the raging fire. buying power of our wage dollar and lighten drains on our income. Public car insurance, eliminating the pres- ent costly competition, can slash insurance rates and extend. better coverage, especially for the under-25 workers. If the B.C. telephone system is placed under public ownership, it will reduce phone rates as publicly-owned systems have done in other provinces. Much can be done through provincial gov- ernment action, and much must be done, to lower the cost of electricity, natural gas, and gasoline. There is a crying need in all our homes eee other operations including logging. By circular letter to all Local plant managers Wyman Trineer, President’ of Local 1-357 requested their co-operation in preferred’ hiring of new employees. The total material damage is estimated at 10 million dollars. steps have been taken to accommodate some of the 650 affected } cs ayonier organization at Marpole, Port Alice, Woodfibre and for complete health protection to include chronic care, ambulance service, and child dental care. Educational opportunities should be broadened, that at all ages our people may take advantage of higher education or ex- pending employability through the upgrad- ing of technical skills. One of the best ways to stop inflation is to stop the waste of human potential. As trade unionists, we must not relax our fight to get revisions of the Labour Relations Act and the Trade Unions Act to remove un- fair restrictions on our collective bargaining. and our right to. strike. New Democratic Party candidates are pledged to introduce the measures | have mentioned, as well as many others that will benefit our people. As the NDP proposes, this is the time to place as much emphasis on the development of human resources as has been placed on that of material resources. The average trade unionist will have every reason to support the New Democratic Party candidates in this campaign if he thinks about his own interests and those of his’ family. | In recognition of this fact, the IWA is vigorously following the political action pro- gram laid down at successive Regional con- ventions, with the support of Canadian La- bour Congress affiliates. A large number of active trade unionists have been nominated by the New Democratic Party. Few have been chosen by the Socred er other parties. In this election the NDP gives workers a chance to vote for those purposes that they have fought for on their picket lines. (Photo courtesy of The Sun).