By A. N. ARCHIBALD International Trustee This article is being written mainly to attempt to explain to the membership why we are members of an International Union and why we should remain as members of an International Union. During the past decade and more particularly in the last few years, International Unionism has been the whipping boy for every two-bit politician who is more in- terested in being re-elected. than in protecting the people who elected him. It is a well known fact that International cartels and conglomerates control the economy of this country, therefore in order to bargain successfully with these cor- porations, it is necessary for the workers to avail them- selves of the same type of affiliations. Not only have the politicians been active in condemning International Unionism but we now find that self-proclaimed messiahs of the working class are parroting the same statements. The main theme of this type of attack is: 1. Control of Canadian members by officers who are operating in another country. 2. Canadian dues dollars being sent out of this country without the Canadian membership having any say as to how they are being spent. Number 1 of course does not apply to our Union mainly because out of four In- ternational officers, two are Canadian. However, if we analyze number 1, it is obvious that this applies more so to Big Business. Number 2 is of far more importance to members of our Union. How many of our members are aware of how much of his dues dollar sup- posedly leaves the country. One dollar per miember per month is the Per Capita tax - allotted to the International Union. One question is passing, ie oe t ee ALEC ARCHIBALD “What can you buy for $1.00 per month?’ Ten hours parking downtown, two packs of cigarettes or if you desire, five glasses of beer. What you do buy for $1 per month is full participation in all phases of this Union, use of all existing facilities mainly Research and Education and more important, the services of the Organization depart- ment when and if needed. Out of the five Regional Councils who comprise this _ In- ternational Union only two could be considered self- sustaining. Region 1 which is Western Canada and Region 3, the Pacific Northwest. Eastern Canada, the Midwest and the Deep South Regions must of necessity have the assistance of the two other Regions. The International pays the salary and expenses of the Directors of Organization in all five Regions plus any ad- ditional organizers that may be needed from time to time in a particular area where an THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER SS SR EN organizational drive is being carried on. It costs ap- proximately $1,500.00 per month to put a man in the field. As an International Trustee, I make two trips a year to Portland where the trustees examine the expenditures made by the Union. All ex- penditures made must be justified by a voucher and I can assure you that this is not a haphazard examination but is carried out in detail. A report is then made to the In- ternational Executive who - then in turn have the authority to question the trustees in regard to the scope of their examination. I would suggest that as a Trustee, I am probably more knowledgeable as to what happens to the membership’s money than many people who make suggestions in canteens, smoke rooms and behind lumber piles. This information is available to you, the membership and all that is necessary is a trip to the Local Office. In conclusion, it would seem to me that this would be the appropriate time to eliminate once and for all the fallacy that any part of your dues dollar goes to the U.S. The audited statement as of October, 1970, which is the last one available shows: Bank Balances— Funds in U.S. Banks $208,547.02 Funds in Canadian Banks $218,079.92 This explanation, I hope, will lay to rest the fears of some of the members and particularly the younger people who have come into the Union in the last few years and point out the need for International Unionism and why our Local Union supports that position. —Reprinted from Local 1-357 Bulletin NOTICE The Attorney General of Washington State, Slade Gorton, has issued a caution to motorists vacationing this summer in the western United States. Gorton said several Western states have ex- perienced problems with a few service stations near interstate highways which engage in a series blatantly fraudulent techniques. The victims invariably are tourists whose cars have out-of-state license plates and who obviously are on a vacation. b The attorney general said his office does not have specific information that such tactics are being used within Washington State. However, officials in other states, particularly Attorney General Gary Nelson of Arizona, have compiled information and evidence — including film footage — of such schemes. Perhaps the most commonly reported trick is that of “honking” tires, in which an attendant uses a concealed knife, pick or other instrument to cut or slasha tire when the motorist is not watching. Other prevalent frauds are: —The liquid smoke trick, in which a small amount of a chemical called titanium tetrachloride is squirted on certain parts of the motor to create a sudden burst of dense white smoke, causing the driver to believe he needs a new part. —Shock treatment, in which oil is poured on certain parts to create the appearance that they are leaking and therefore are defective. —Boiling batteries, in which an alkalizer is poured into a battery, allowing the attendant to simulate the appearance of a battery going dead. —Short sticking, in which oilis inaccurately measured, then supposedly filled with what actually is an empty oil can on the rack. Some stations use freeway “‘runners” who drive up to motorists approaching certain exits and shout a “neighborly warning’ about a wobbling wheel. Gorton offered five guidelines to persons planning vacations: 1. Have your car thoroughly checked BEFORE you leave on your trip. 2. Don’t leave your car unattended at the service station. 3. Question any suggested repairs and, if possible, ask one or two other garages or mechanics for advice, particularly if the suggested repair is a major one. 4. Demand return of the “damaged” part. This may cost a little more but it will preserve the evidence if it is needed later. 5. .lf you feel you’ve been tricked, contact the aft- torney general’s office of that state, if possible. LABOUR BRIEFS YOUTH WANTS SOCIAL ACTION The United Steelworkers of America surveyed 144 members under 25 years old in Toronto plants. Sixty-five per cent of them agreed unions should be “‘directly and actively involved” in social action. + LABOR MAKES GAINS Municipal elections in Britain resulted in a landslide of 2,810 labor gains. Voter turnout was higher than usual. + + x ANDY ANDRAS DIES Andy Andras, one of the leading authorities in social security in the Canadian Labor movement, died May 14th of a heart attack in St. John’s, Nfld. He had been director of legislation for the Canadian Labor Congress since 1957, and had spent almost his entire adult life in the union movement. + + > ONTARIO DOCTORS CLEAN UP Under questioning from NDP MLAs, Ontario Health Minister A. B. R. Lawrence admitted that payments to many doctors topped $200,000 a year under the Ontario health services in- surance plan. E ‘ + OFL CHALLENGES GOVERNMENT The Ontario Federation of Labor’s human rights committee has challenged the approach of the Ontario government in matters of discrimination, delivery of present government services and problems faced by Ontario’s Indian and immigrant populations. + + LONGER VACATIONS SOUGHT The B.C. Government Employees Union wants longer vacations for its long-service members. A brief to the Civil Service Commission wants 17 days with pay after five years, 22 _ days after 15 years, 25 days after 20 and 30 days after 25. SOME WORKBOOTS FEEL LIKE THIS PARIS is famous for its INDUSTRIAL FOOTWEAR — Logging Boots and Work Boots made in our own workshops. What is less well-known is the fact that PARIS PROFESSIONALLY-TRAINED SHOE-FITTERS are available at no extra cost than finding your way downtown to B.C.’s Unique Family Shoe Store. There is no reason why a work boot shouldn't be fitted with the same care as a dress shoe, At PARIS it is! And the difference it makes to comfort and safety is as important to our 60-year reputation as it is to your foot-health and foot-ease Remember: it costs no more to deal with Paris. Our fitters come free with the boots! And what a difference! : WHOLE FAMILIES ARE GETTING THE PARIS HABIT, THANKFULLY PIERRE PARIS & SONS 51 W. Hastings, in the heart of Downtown Vancouver (Right next to Woodward's)