WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER stories of destitu- suicide, based on carefully evidence, were told to in many instances the Souson of the law had nsation. M.L.A.’s Ar- ner (Vancouver-East), Leo (Cranbrook), Cedric Cox by), John Squire (Port Al- 1), George Hobbs (Revelstoke) Rae Eddie (New Westminster) ned to draw the curtain on misery caused by inhumane de- ons ‘ecm individual injured n members protested the By IWA Legislative Reporter Full public investigation of the administration of n sensation Act was demanded by trade union members of the Legislature when the estimates of the were before the House. It was also urged that mbers should be allowed the right to offer amendments “a ‘original intent of Work-| hy. insistence ae the Government that no — amendments to the Act could be pro- posed by private members. In recent years the rule has been laid down that Bills proposing to amend the Workmen’s Compensation Act should considered as ‘“‘message” Bills. “Message” Bills are those which pro- vide for public expenditure, and must be sponsored by Ministers of the Crown. Opposition members contend that their proposed amendments deal only with expenditure from funds which are self-sustaining, and are not derived from tax revenue. The ruling has frustrated the efforts of Opposi- tion Members to gain direct consider- ation by the Legislature of amend- ments proposed by the trade unions. The members of the Legislature heard the actual details of a large number of cases that dramatically illustrated their claims : _ regarding callous administration and defective law. A number of f rted here as typical. For obvious reasons the names are evita but the facts have been verified from the files in “possession of the trade union spokesmen, Despair Led to Suicide - Suicide was the tragic outcome in the sad circumstances of a workman suffering a spine injury for which he could not receive either adequate treatment or pension. Although in- capacitated for employment, and’ suf- fering severe continuous pain, the in- jured man was dismissed with an award of $31.50 a month. On techni- i 2 tal grounds he was refused medica- tion. It is presumed that in despair, and temporary insanity, caused by extreme pain, privations, and loss of hope he took his own life. This suicide was not reported in the Vancouver dailies. When the details of the tragedy were cited in the House by Arthur Turner, questioning this news “black-out”, the matter was again ignored by ‘the press. Use of Both Legs Lost Improper assessment of disability was claimed in the case of an electri- cian who suffered heavy electric Ss in the course of his occupa- tion. Both legs were severely burned, and long treatment failed to restore : their normal use. The resulting per- » manent disability now compels the Zetoeman to use two canes, with which he can barely hobble. He is required to rest at frequent intervals. P.P.D. pension awarded finally in this case amounts to $41.43 a month. The monthly average earning allowed by the Board was $306.00 per month. Calculation made by Arthur Turner placed this award as one for 18% disability. An assessment made by a private physician would have in- creased the monthly pension to $57.50 as the lowest minimum that could fairly be considered. Mr. Turner referred to the Table of Disabilities, as released by the late Mr. Justice Sloan, which specifies that loss of one leg entitles the claimant to an award on the basis of 85% assessment of disability. Physicians have proposed am- putation. The workman in ques- tion has been advised that sur- gery to remove both legs would endanger his life, or leave him a helpless cripple. Condemned to Starvation The treatment of a shipyard welder and burner was also related as typical of unfair decisions rendered. This workman’s occupation exposed him to noxious fumes and smoke in confined spaces. The Board decided that after treatment he was fit for work, al- though suffering from “chronic upper respiratory infection which has secon- dary effects on the lungs” veal rejected -few are reported volume of complaints brought to During the course of the debate on Workmen's Compensation, _ it was noted that trade union members of the Legislature had on hand extensive evidence of claims which they alleged had been ted. The cases stated in the House, of which only a here, constituted a part only of the tremendous their attention. westigation Of W.C.B. y Opposition Members The | Board stated that it had com- ete ‘disch. scharged its obligations mg elaim”’. No pension was Daagike this decision the workman hon ‘since been quite unable to return work. Any exposure to fumes aia severe illness. Although in the “tg hee a week at $11.20. Not Allowed was placed by the trade bers on cases where the wated or activa- largely ignored. Because of this fact many workmen are reluctant to re- port the disability, so they risk haz- ards for themselves and their fellow- workers. It was contended by Mr. Turner that workmen who are exposed to sharp and repeated percussion noises over a long period of time suffer a degeneration of the nerves which determine hearing. earing aids which can be worn conveniently at work are costly, he said. Frequently the expenditure of more than $500 is demanded for an appliance which requires almost con- stant servicing. Provision should be made for this by the Board, he argued. The speaker advocated that steps should be ordered to minimize noises Jin industry, by acoustically designed temporary panelling. Awards 1943-1952 Too Low Leo enmie sig (Cranbrook) total paid of $120, 727. Some receive very low pensions. Railway Workers Also Complain George Hobbs, M.L.A. (Revel- stoke), a railway diesel engineer, re- lated the difficulties encountered by railway operating employees exposed’ to a combination of oxide of nitrogen and carbon monoxide. This exposure results in serious respiratory diseases, he stated, which are not re- cognized adequately by the Work- men’s Compensation Board. Silicosis Again a Problem Members of the Legislature con- tended that glaring injustices had been shown in awards dealing with silicosis in its various forms. It may be reported that the subject of Workmen’s Compen- sation was given thorough treat- ment by the CCF members, on the only occasion when the rules of the House made such discus- sion possible. The trade union members stuck to their guns on the issue although subjected to many interruptions, and faced with an indifferent attitude on the Ministerial benches. It can be said that the views so fre- quently expressed by organized labour were presented in a way that could not be successfully challenged. Arm at shoulder or upper half PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITY SCALE Arm at lower half or elbow Forearm, upper or middle third Forearm, lower third or hand Stiff shoulder joint Stiff elbow joint, full extension e Stiff elbow, right angl Thumb, with metacarpal Thumb Thumb at distal Thumb at half distal Finger, index Finger, two phalanges Finger, one phalanx Finger, middle Finger, two phalanges Finger, one phalanx Finger, ring Finger, two phalanges Finger, one phalanx Finger, little Finger, two phalanges Finger, one phalanx Thumb, at M.P. joint, with index finger Thumb, at M.P. joint, with index and middle fingers . Exploratory talks on greater safety in the construction and use of steel towers and steel spars, were held by the B.C. Work- men’s Compensation Board and the Washington State Accident Prevention Division, Department of Labour and Industry, March 16, in Olympia, Washington. The meeting was attended by a number of unionists and included A. Steel Spar Talks Held L. Hartung, IWA International Pre- sident; IWA Regional Safety Direc- tor, John T. Atkinson; Gil Ingram from Local 1-85, IWA, Port Alberni; Harvey Nelson, IWA Region 3; Red Fadling, IWA Region. 3. Murray Clarke attended the meet- ing for the B.C. Workmen’s Compen- sation Board. Safety Meet Held By Local 1-217 Second Annual Safety Seminar was held by Local 1-217, IWA, March 4, at Woodworkers’ House in. Vancou- ver, attended by delegates from the Local Union and speakers from Man- agement, Workmen’s Compensation Board and the Union. The Seminar Chairman was Art Ferrall, Safety Director of Local 1- 17 Syd Thompson, President of Local 1-217, welcomed the delegates and was followed by Regional Safety Director, John T. Atkinson, who in- troduced the management speaker, W. M. (Scotty) Allison, who spoke on the B.C. Lumber Manufacturers’ As- sociation programme for 1961. Arthur Francis, Director of Acci- dent Prevention for the Workmen’s Compensation Board then followed with a brief review of the history of accident prevention and the Board’s aims and objectives. After a lunch provided by the Local Union, John T. discussed the accident prevention policy of the IWA, which he pointed out was being followed by other unions across the country. Art Ferrall then discussed the Structure and Organization of the Local Union’s Safety Council. The rest of the afternoon was then given over to general buzz sessions, Tead by John T. on Labour-Manage- ment Safety Committees. The parti- cipation in these groups was keen and many worthwhile recommendations were acquired from these delibera- tions. Moving Butt Log Kills Faller A verdict of accidental death with no blame attached to Albert Ruttan, faller, age 54 years, killed February 24, at Copper Canyon Camp. Ross Rian Safety Director of Local 1-80, IWA, visited the acci- Wear eye where there Ever stop to think of the things you'd miss it you lost your of foreign bodies entering your eyes. BRITISH COLUMBIA WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION BOARD | P VP Mery Git ete RT ee iy ec iee protection is likelihood