2
¢

:

ae
THE WESTERN CANADIAN j
ot) UM

Vol. XXXI, No. 3

VANCOUVER, B.C.

W it

N

iN)

Incorporating Zhe &.C. amberworker Official Publication of the Ieterwatlonal Woedworkerd of Aémertea Regional Council No. 1

yi

5c PER COPY Lp? Pobtuerss een.”

“CLARIFY SITUATION”

ay

a

@

DO WE GOD
FROM HERE e

By JACK MOORE, IWA Regional President

The greatest folly that this Union can commit is to split its
ranks on the eve of contract negotiations, This danger appears
in the present situation. Controversy is being carried to un-
reasonable extremes. It is therefore my duty to present the
facts objectively and call for sensible discussion to establish
a sensible basis of agreement.

WHERE

A wise trade unionist once said, “It is more important to

_, be right than win an argument.” Certainly, it is more impor-

tant to do what is right for membership welfare than to win
empty debating honors.

Membership welfare has been endangered. Our differences
of opinion on a secondary issue have been so thoroughly pub-
licized that the employers will take advantage of the situation.
They now want to know who speaks for the Union. How

stupid can we be just before crucial negotiations? The most

vital consideration is that we develop our maximum bargain-

~, ng strength on the basis of membership unity.

Nothing has happened to destroy confidence in the pur-

, Poses of the bargaining procedures already approved by our

membership. THERE HAS BEEN NO DEPARTURE FROM
THE PRINCIPLES OF MEMBERSHIP CONTROL OF THE
UNION’S AFFAIRS. Every officer and every committee mem-
ber with delegated responsibility must answer to the mem-
bership with regard to the discharge of his duties.

In dealing with the Millwrights’ Training Program, your
Regional Officers followed the procedure laid down by the
Union in this Region. Regional Conventions laid down the
guide lines for negotiations and delegated authority to the
Regional Executive Board under the provisions of the Region-
al Constitution. The Regional Officers acted in accordance
with the majority decision of the Board and the Regional Con-
vention. Had they acted otherwise, they would have been
held delinquent in the performance of their duties. The ruling
of the International President questions the constitutionality of
procedures followed for years in the Region, and which now
require our re-examination.

See “WHERE DO WE GO”—Page 4

IWA WAGE CONFERENCE
DRAWS KEEN INTEREST

Lively interest has been
shown in the outcome of the

. IWA Wages and Contract

Conference w hich meets in
Vancouver, February 20, 21
‘and 22, 1964. The conference
will be fully representative
of ip opinion, i

At RSE a SAR EDDIE RII ERNE OST

Vice-President.

Each Local Union will have
a full quota of delegates te
support their resolutions
dealing with contract changes
desired.

The conference agenda
provides for consideration of
all proposals from all sections
of the industry. Essential in-
formation relating to the eco-
nomic position of the lumber
industry will be made avail-
able by the Union’s Research
Department. The delegates
will then finalize the list of
demands for presentation to
the employers’ representa-
tives. Bargaining talks com-
mence on or about March 16.

The negotiating team, com-
i of members of the
‘olicy Committee, will in-
clude one representative from
each Local Union concerned,
in addition to the Regional
President and one Regional

... Moore

Steps Outlined For |
Membership Approval

Immediate steps were taken by the Regional Officers to clarify the situation
created by the International President's ruling on the constitutionality of bargain-
ing procedure followed by the Regiona! Executive Board in dealing with the Mill-
wrights’ Training Program. Suspension of steps to implement the program followed
compliance with the ruling. Action by the Union to protect training opportunities
for all those facing technological unemployment will be considered by an early
and representative conference in light of all the facts. Consent by all Local Un-
ions affected to the introduction of the best program obtainable was said to be the
key to break the present stalemate. The vital consideration, said Regional Presi-
dent Jack Moore is to act promptly in protection of tradesmen now at a disadvan-
tage without an agreement under amended legislation.

The Region’s bargaining procedures for special groups between broad ne-
gotiations will now be re-examined in consultation with International President

Hartung. The full text of the ruling in question and the Regional President's reply
are published below.

— HARTUNG

In interpretation of Article XII, Subsec-
tion (d) of the Standard Local Union By-
Laws as set out in Article VIII, Section 14

of the International Constitution, which
states and I quote:

“The program for negotiations shall
be decided by majority of the votes cast
by the membership.

See “HARTUNG”—Page 2

MOORE

The officers of this Regional Council have
complied with your ruling in respect of-the
above-mentioned agreement as rendered at
the request of Local 1-217. All Local Unions
have been notified accordingly. The agree-
ment, as negotiated, will not now be imple-
mented. We acknowledge your constitutional
right to interpret the provisions of our Con-
stitution.

See “MOORE”—Page 2

It’s somethin’ he picked up in medical school before he switched to millwrightin’ ... Claims
it’s invaluable fer diagnosin’ trouble.