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Incorporating “Fhe ©.C. Lumberworées Official Publication of the Jaterwational Weedworkers of rbmeriea Regional Council No. 1

Vol. XXXI, No. 6 VANCOUVER, B.C. 5c PER COPY >

By STAFF REPORTER

Bargaining talks between the IWA and the employers’ representa-
tives, Forest Industrial Relations Ltd., have proved fruitless. With no
possibility of progress in sight after the ten-day period, the disputing
parties adjourned the bargaining sessions March 31. As only concilia-
tion will make profitable discussions possible, application has been
made for the services of a Conciliation Officer.

Because of the critical nature of the dispute, the early appoint-
ment of a conciliator is expected. The Union’s ten-man negotiating
committee is preparing to renew the arguments, supported by evi-
dence, to press the Union’s case before the official appointee. Nothing
has happened to date to bridge the wide gulf between the Union's
and the employers’ positions.

The bargaining tactics to be followed by the employers were
disclosed when they tabled their counter-proposals. In their view,
apparently, the sanctity of greater and still greater profits must have
priority. They proposed to subtract from the contract benefits rather
than add to them. Lumber workers are expected to forego increased
wages to placate greedy investors and finance the construction of
new automated plants to swell the army of unemployed.

Little was said by the members of the Negotiating Committee
beyond the bare announcement that conciliation would be the next
step. No concrete progress could be reported. The fight must con-
tinue with unabated vigor, they said. The unofficial asides were
bristling. Said one observer, “These employers haven't changed, even
though they are now gorged with profits. We'll get only what they
are forced to give us.”

The appointment of a Conciliation Officer involves the question
of government intervention. Few accept the official illusion that the
officer will make his final decisions without advice from the Minister
of Labour. Premier Bennett will keep a wary eye on the outcome,
for trouble in the lumber industry will rock his political boat and the

Listen to the IWA
Radio Broadcasts

Tuesdays and Fridays

— See Times: Page 6

2nd Issue
March, 1964

/

CONCILIATION NEXT

employers are going out of their way to provoke more trouble where
trouble is already in the making — under their pressures.

After a Conciliation Officer has talked to both parties, separately
and together, he will announce one of three choices. He will:

(1) Recommend the appointment of a Conciliation Board, or

(2) Recommend terms of settlement for the dispute, or

(3) Recommend only that no conciliation board be appointed.

In the case of the latter alternative, after due notice has been
given to both parties, the situation is thrown wide open. The em-
ployers are free to change wages and working conditions as they
may choose and the Union can take a strike vote on its own set of
demands.

There is also the possibility of special mediation ordered by the
Minister of Labour, who has been given wide powers by the Labour
Relations Act in such a situation. He may, if he so chooses, appoint
an Industrial Inquiry Commission. Quite obviously, the Minister. is
under pressure to do those things before a strike situation develops,
which he invariably must do after a strike is in progress. The business
community is nervous about strike talk.

The uncertainties of the immediate future leaves the IWA only
one course of action — membership demonstration of a fighting stance.
All indications point to the fact that the Union has never enjoyed a
more fervent support from the entire working force in the coast lum-
ber industry. The average lumber worker's family will have no prob-
lem in finding good use for the extra wage demanded.

The employers’ counter-proposals signal tough negotiations. The
proposition that [WA members should work harder for less money
was greeted with the Bronx cheer everywhere.

The members of the Union are inviting the public to contrast the
community benefits to be derived from the Union’s demands with those
of the employers.

See “CONTRAST” — Page 2

At Grande Prairie

IWA Steps Up Support
For Alberta Strikers

Employees in the Eburne Sawmill Division, Canadian
Forest Products Ltd., and Huntting-Merritt Co. Ltd. have
left no lingering doubt about their opinion of the employer’s
treatment of IWA members on strike in the company’s planer
mill operation at Grande Prairie. In a one-day collection con-
ducted by Local 1-217, IWA, they contributed $430 in aid of
the strikers and thereby registered a most effective protest
against the company’s low-wage policies in Alberta,

It is reported that this gen-

°

erous action was greeted with
cheers on the Grande Prairie
picket line now on its eighth
month. Similar generous sup-
port is expected from other
plants in Local 1-357 and 1-71.

The Grande Prairie picket
line spearheads the IWA at-
tack on low wages in the Al-
berta lumber industry. Man-
agement of the local com-

WHAT’‘S
INSIDE

Jacques

Facts -

Editorial

pany, which is a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Cana-
dian Forest Products Ltd., is
obviously supported in its
policy by the Alberta Lum-
bermen’s Association. The
evidence shows an organized
attempt to force a uniform
base rate of $1.40 an hour on
the Alberta lumber workers.
Comparable work in Sas-
katchewan receives a much
higher rate.

The IWA this week stepped
up the intensity of its fight
with Canadian Forest Pro-
ducts Ltd. for a fair settle-
ment at Grande Prairie. Spe-
cial bulletins were distribut-
ed, both in the Grande Prai-
rie and B.C. plants of CFPC.

A special poster, displayed
in Grande Prairie and at the
Eburne Sawmill, Vancouver,
recalled the manner in which
the owners were given sanc-
tuary in Canada after their
escape from Hitler’s Europe.

See “GRANDE PRAIRIE”
—Page 3 .

A6RENDE PRAIRIE

ALBERTA

ONE-DAY COLLECTION by Local 1-217, IWA, at the Eburne Sawmill Division, Canadian
Forest Products Lid., and Hunting & Merritt Shingle Division, Marpole, raised $430.00 in
aid of the Grande Prairie IWA members striking the North Canadian Forest Products planer
mill. Photo was taken at Eburne Sawmill and shows Tom Clarke, Local 1-217 1st Vice-.

President (left) collecting the donations from the plant employees.

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Forest and Mill Scab Produced

IWA members are reminded that FOREST AND MILL a publication spon-
nag tf the employers in the lumber industry, is published by Howard T. Mitchell
Co.

The plant in which this paper is published is strike-bound by the Amalgamated
Lithographers and the Bookbinders and is at present operated by imported scabs.

Mr. Mitchell is President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and has re-
peatedly attacked the trade unions,

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