HEALTH AND WELFARE PROGRAM EFFECTIVE OCT. 1 The following statement has been issued by the [WA Trustees for the Health and Welfare Plan. The Health and Welfare program for the Coast lumber industry to benefit employees in operations cov- ered by Forest Industrial Relations Ltd. will become effective October 1, 1961. All existing plans will be discontinued on September 30, 1961. Numerous meetings have been held between the Trustees representing the Union and the employers. Meetings were also held between the Regional Officers and representatives of Forest Industrial Relations Ltd. to negotiate points on the application of the plan. Some difficulty is expected in implementing this plan by October 1, but all eligi ble employ- ees will be covered as of October 1, 1961. Processing of claims may be delayed in October, pending the completion of administrative machinery. However, all valid claims will be paid effective October 1, 1961. The membership will be supplied with detailed information on coverage as soon as possible. Employees in operations not covered by Forest Industrial Relations Ltd. will be covered by a plan identical in welfare benefits. This plan will be implemented as soon as employee data can be obtained. CONVENTION ISSUE CL ALAN N THE WESTERN CANADIAN no Incorporating Ve SZ. Lumberworker Official Publication (Signed) Fred Fieber Joe Miyazawa IWA Trustees for Health and Welfare Plan of the Denes Waadicerken. of ee Regional Council No. 1 VOL. XXVIII, No. 18 > VANCOUVER, B.C. 5c PER COPY Douglas Inspires Labour's Hope For Needed Social Objectives The objectives of the New Democratic Party as eloquently explained by Hon, T. C. Douglas, newly-elected Leader of the Party won enthusiastic approval from the delegates attending the recent IWA Regional Annual Convention. A standing ovation, with prolonged applause, followed a forty-five minute address which was punctuated with telling and laugh-producing witticisms. The speaker was heard at his persuasive best. Mr. Douglas, who was _ intro- duced to the audience as Brother Tommy Douglas (a member of the ITU) recounted the early struggles of trade unions in Great Britain and the steps which led to the formation of the British Labour Party. He said that Canada is now following the pattern developed in Europe sixty years ago. The British Pattern The Taff Vale decision and the Osborne judgment had compelled British trade unionists to unite with other groups to form a great poli- tical movement, the British Labour Party, with direct parliamentary representation. As a result unjust decisions had been set aside by the British Parliament. Similar anti-labour legisla- tion had not been enacted any- where in the British Common- wealth until placed on the sta- tute books in British Columbia and Newfoundland by the two most reactionary Premiers in Canadian history. — WHAT'S Adherence by trade unions on the American continent to the out- moded political philosophy “to punish our enemies and reward our friends” had handicapped labour, he said. “Unions would fight the boss for every year, but on the fourth year would scab at the ballot box”. The speaker traced the develop- ments which led to the formation of the New Democratic Party. “We are witnessing something which is long overdue, but which has come at the right psychological mo- ment”. “Support for the New Democratic Party is sweeping across Canada with amazing en- thusiasm far beyond our fondest hopes.” Booms and Busts The Party Leader outlined the objectives of the New Democratic Party at length. “We believe that this unplanned economy has failed to meet the needs of human be- ings”. “It is not our business to defend our aims but the onus rests on those who have upheld the present system and its miserable failures.” “We have gone from busts to booms and from booms to busts with the busts getting longer and the booms getting shorter”. The speaker declared that a sys- tem which cannot provide full em- ployment in a land of abundant resources sadly needs overhauling. “We have won a degree of politi- cal democracy, but have lost eco- nomic democracy”. “Those who own the corporate wealth of Can- ada are responsible only to their own hunger for power.” He stated that Canada’s Gross National Product had dropped as See “DOUGLAS” Page 2 President In Charge Of Paper A constitutional amendment approved by the IWA Annual Regional Convention places the direction of the Union’s public relations, including the Western Canadian Lumber Worker and Green Gold broadcasts, under the Region- al Director, subject to the approval of the Regional Exe- cutive Board. The convention resolution pro- vides: That Article VIII be amended and rewritten as follows: 1. The Regional Director shall direct the Public Relations Department of the Regional Council, subject to the ap- proval ‘of the Regional Executive Board. . A Managing Editor shall be appointed who shall be re- sponsible for the publication of the Lumberworker and Green Gold broadcasts. See “PAPER” Page 2 nN NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER, T. katchewan, outlines the aims of the New Democratic Party to a September 9, at the IWA Regional Convention in Woodworkers’ House, Vancouver. 2nd Issue, September, 1961 ure Doug, Premier of Sas- capacity audience B.C. Forest Fire Hazard Seen By Gordon Sloan IWA Regional Convention delegates were reminded that the late Gordon MacGregor Sloan had warned British Columbia that it was ill-prepared to deal with a forest fire emergency such as experienced last summer. President J. Holst, Local 1-424, Prince George, was asked by television stations to tell the story of his district. Television viewers learned that Sloan had reported the Prince George district as requiring 44 additional lookouts, instead of the 19 then provided. In the same district a forester had 44,135,000 acres under his supervision, and a ranger 4,646,000 acres. Sloan said, quoted Holst, “We are still required to build 1,307 miles of new access roads, and 1,476 miles of new trails.” He commented on the fact that in one fiscal year 290 miles of access roads had been built by contrac- tors at an average cost of $28,000 nieea LISTEN TO Green Gold—CJ0 7:00 p.m. 1 Thursday 3 :CKPG Ist and Last Thursday 6:00 p.m.