CSU states reasons for withdrawal from Trades eo iaress

from the congress.
Text of the letter follows:

welfare of our own union and also

Canadian maritime industry, was
created by the men employed in
the industry. Neither the AFL nor
the CIO, nor any other central
trade union body assisted us in
the initial stages of our struggle.
We joined the Trades and Labor
Congress of Canada as a national
union as soon as the framework
of our organization was  con-
structed. .

Since ‘the first day of our af-
filiation we have remained loyal
to the TLC, shared all obligations
and responsibilities of an affiliat-
ed body and received. the full meas-
ure of general support from the
congress and its officers until the
day we were suspended.

Since the decision of your ex-
ecutive to suspend our union, we
have very carefully examined our
relationships with ‘the congress
and its officers throughout the
years and concluded that no ac-
tion of ours called for or can jus-
tify our suspension from the con-

gress.

We have come to the painful
conclusion that our suspension was
the result of arrogant and humili-
ating outside interference and for-
eign dictation in the inner affairs
of the Trades and Labor Congress
of Canada. What the shipping

companies and the Canadian and
American government departments
_ failed to achieve was accomplish-
-@d ‘by the cynical, reckless and
most offensive dictation of the
small group of union burocrats
who head the AFL in Washington.

Suspension of the CSU was,
_ therefore, not merely an attack

Score AFL

The officers of the congress, in
accord with the: decision of the
Victoria convention, defended the
autonomy of the congress and the
_ just course which the congress
was following in connection with
the seamen at the Miami meeting
of the AFL executive. But the die-
hard reactionaries of the AFL ex-
ecutive council ignored the presen-
tations of the congress, and dic-
tatorially placed their ultimatum
to the congress.

This compelled the executive
council of the Trades and Labor
Congress of Canada to state to
all members of the TLC that their
_ appearance before the Miami meet-
ing of the executive council was
“an American Federation of Labor
Kangaroo Court,” that “it is an
abominable situation when a trade
union center in a foreign country
attempts to influence delegates at-
tending a convention in this coun-
try.” The officers of the Trades
and Labor Congress of Canada con-
cluded that statement with the
now famous slogan: “Cooperation,

with that of the Trades and Labor

Congress of Canada, we have arrived at an important and far-reaching
decision which we hereby convey, through you, to the executive of the
TLC and to the trade union movement at large. We are firmly con-
vinced that our decision is in the best interests of the trade union move-
ment as a whole and therefore also in the best interests of all seamen
and their union, the Canadian Seamen’s Union. \

The Canadian Seamen’s Union, the first permanent union in the

on our umion but a body blow
at the autonomy, democracy and
national dignity of the Trades
and Labor Congress and the Ca-
nadian trade union movement as
a whole.

An exaggerated and totally mis-
leading picture has been painted
about our current East Coast
strike in order to misrepresent the
CSU and justify the otherwise un-
justifiable suspension of our union.

As to the circumstances which
led to the present strike, it is well
known to the officers of the con-
gress that our union, like scores of
other trade unions, could not ac-
cept the recommendations of the
conciliation board even though
they were unanimous, without at
least trying to eliminate some of
the most objectionable features
through the method of direct bar-
gaining and government interven-
tion. What union worthy of its
name has not followed a similar
course ?

The congress officers knew that
the.strike was part of a sinister
conspiracy of the shipping com-
panies who were aided by the gov-
ernments of this country and the
United States and who found, in
characters such as Frank Hall,
their willing tools.

A well-known fact which will
stand forever to the credit of the
congress and its affiliated unions,

jis that the Victoria convention of

the Trades and Labor Congress,
held a year ago, after the most
careful examination of all facts,
decided by an overwhelming ma-
jority to condemn the actions of
the Halls, to repudiate the SIU
and to renew its pledge of sup-

port to the CSU.

dictati

failed to resist the combined pres-
sure that came from government
and big business at home and the
foreign dictation that -came from
Washington. Thus it came about
that despite everything said and
done by the congress and its lead-.
ers up to that time, despite the
Victoria convention decisions, and
despite the March 1949 document
issued by the congress leadership
in reply to the AFL, the congress
leaders surrendered to this outside
pressure.

At the Cleveland meeting of the
executive council of the AFL in
May, 1949, they agreed to suspend
the CSU. The CSU thus became
the symbolic sacrifice on the altar
of foreign dictation.

After the Cleveland meeting of
the AFL executive, we were ask-

MONTREAL

Presenting its action as “being taken solely in the interests of the unity of Canadian labor in face of
the developing economic crisis,” the national office of the Canadian Seamen’s Union here, over the sig-
natures of its president, Harry Davis, and secretary-treasurer, T. G. McManus, has released the text of
a letter sent to Percy Bengough, president of the Trades and Labor Congress, withdrawing the CSU

The national executive board of the Canadian Seamen’s Union has given careful consideration to the
problems which have arisen as a result of the TLC executive’s recom-
mendation to suspend our union from the congress. Concerned for the

ed to resign from the TLC so

as to cause no “embarrassment.”
This we refused to do because
we felt that the issue involved
goes far, beyond the limits of
our organization and affects the
essence of autonomy and inner
democracy of the, whole trade
union movement. We could not
lend ourselves to a mameuver
which would hide from the eyes
of all Canadian workers the
crime that was being commit-
ted against all of them, their
tights and their independence.

Aware of the sentiment of the
masses of trade unionists, the AFL
executive council has embarked re-
cently on its most “abominable”
attack on the Canadian trade
union movement. It threatens to
suspend and expel] individuals and
loca] unions who refuse to obey
the voting instructions of the AFL
at the forthcoming TLC Calgary
convention. It threatens to lift
charters, disorganize unions if
their dictatorial orders are not
obeyed. :

In March this year, the congress
executive, under the signature of
President Bengough and Secretary
Buckley, asked: “Can we permit
a situation where Canadians at-

In the face of such developments
the exeeutive board of the Cana-
dian Seamen’s Union feels the
burden of responsibility which now
falls on their shoulders, Every ob-
jective factor and consideration
justifies our resistance to the sus-
pension and our appeal to Cana-
dian labor to oppose such suspen-
sion orders.

On the other hand, we are aware
of the painful fact that to bring
this issue on the floor of the Cal-
gary convention in the face of
iron-clad dictatorial orders from
abroad, would undoubtedly lead to
the most serious division and in-
ternal struggle in all congress un-
ions, and perhaps even to splitting
the trade union movement.

Having thus carefully weighed
the consequences of our action
we have decided to act in the

interests of unity of the con-
gress and its affiliated unions
by elimimating the issue of the
executive’s suspension of the
CSU from the Calgary conven-
tion. We have, therefore, reluc-
tantly decided to withdraw from
the Trades and Labor Congress
of Canada, the parent body with
which we were affiliated until
now. This letter is to advise you
that our withdrawal takes ef-
fect from this date.

We repeat that our action is
being taken solely in the interests
of the unity of Canadian labor in
face of the developing economic
crisis and the urgent need for a
united and militant trade union
movement to resist the effects of
the crisis on the Canadian work-
ers and their families.

Our decision to withdraw is
based on the hope that the re-
moval of this issue, which the
AFL burocrats are prepared to
uSe as an excuse for either dom-
inating or wrecking the Cana-
dian labor movement, will en-
able the delegates at Calgary to

unite and concentrate on the so-

-yes: domination, no!”

Unfortunately, the executive

STANTON

Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries
SUITE 515, FORD BUILDING, 193 E. HASTINGS ST.
(Corner Main’ & Hastings Sts.) MArine 6746

& MUNRO

’

‘Action taken in interest of unity

tending a corivention in Canada
and voting on national affairs may
suffer reprisals from abroad?” To-
day, this is exactly the “abomin-
able situation” which faces all the
congress unions.

It is known everywhere that
William Green issued a letter to
most presidents of AFL interna-
tional unions instructing them to
see to it that their locals in Can-
ada be represented at the Calgary
convention of the TLC and that
the delegates representing their
locals vote for the suspension of
the CSU from the congress. It is
also known that a number of AFL
international] presidents carried
out the order of William Green
and addressed special written or-
ders to their Canadian officers and
local unions to have full delega-
tions at Calgary and to, vote for
the suspension of the CSU. -

a

It is further known that a num-
ber of international presidents
have opened their treasuries to
provide the finances necessary to
send full delegations, “expenses
paid,’” on condition that they vote
for suspension of the CSU, and
have dispatched top-ranking of-
ficers to Canada to ensure an or-
ganized anti-CSU vote at Calgary.

This is, of course, the most
brazen foreign interference in
the inmer affairs of Canadian
unions. It alone is ample proof
that our suspension is not due
to any fault of ours but to for-
eign dictation. The American
bosses of the AFL have made it
quite clear that they will de-
,Stroy if necessary rather than
permit their Canadian member-

6

ship to defy them.

Seek to avoid division

lution of the many serious prob-
lems which now confront Cana-
dian labor.

We also wish to make it known
that the Canadian Seamen’s Un-
ion, the only legitimate and bona-
fide union of Canadian seamen,
will continue its battles for the

fulfillment of its mission, namely,.

the organization of all unorganized
in the maritime industry, the elim-
ination of company unionism from
the industry and the winning of
the highest possible wages, living
standards and working conditions
for the Canadian seamen.

We are confident that in this
effort, which we will pursue with
undiminishing energy, courage and
determination, we will receive the
wholehearted moral, political and
financial support of all Canadian
trade unionists regardless of their
affiliation, and of all fair-minded
and forward-looking people in our
country,

While deciding to withdraw
from the Trades and Labor Con-
gress of Canada in the interests
of the movement as/a whole, we
are, nevertheless, hopeful that the
time is not far away when the
Canadian trade unions will be
united in an autonomous trade un-
ion center, free of all foreign dic-
tation and interference but in fra-
ternal relations with our brothers
in the U.S., and that we shall re-
occupy our rightful place in such
a united, autonomous and demo-
cratic congress of Canadian labor.

|

Union forces
redress of
layoff ‘error’

TORONTO

More than 1,300 workers have
been Yaid off from Toronto’s Mas-
sey-Harris farm implement plants
since March. The union, Local 439
United Auto Workers (CIO), has
that many cards on hand.

Recently, in an attempt by the
company to violate the seniority
clause in the contract by laying
off workers with 27 months — even
three years—seniority while re-
taining on the payroll men with
less than 18 months, was met with
vigorous opposition by President
Steve Anco and the union leader-"
ship.

As a result, the company ad-
mitted it had made an “error” and
sent out wires to more than 60 of
those wrongfully discharged. No
compensation wag made for loss
in pay.

Meanwhile the union’s PAC
committee is drafting plans for
continuance of the fight for new
markets in Canada and through-
out the world for Massey-Harris

farm machinery. It is planned ~
to carry the fight directly to Ot-

tawa. Several local MP’s have
already been seen by the com-
mittee.

Union officials said no decision
has yet been handed down on the
arbitration hearing on the dismiss-
al of Steve Anco by the company
—which resulted in the recent
strike.

Board favors
4c increase —

Longer vacations with pay will
be one of the gains made by em-
ployees of Pacific Drydocks. and
Burrard Drydocks this year if em-
ployers accept the unanimous re-
commendations of a conciliation
board. ,

Under the old contract, workers
were grianted one hour a week
for 49 weeks, providing they work-

ed a full week. Maximum. holiday
time with pay was. 40 hours.
The recommendations this year
allow three percent on straight
time earnings. This adds up to 60
hours vacation with pay for a nor-
mal work year; a 50 percent boost
on the previous. set-up, without
qualifications. oh

William L. White of the Boiler.
makers’ Union, represented the
men in negotiations as spokesman
for the Joint Shipyard Union con-

ference,

Other recommendations of the
board include a boost of four
cents an hour in the basic wage
rate; and three statutory holi-
days with pay. Reduction of over-
time to 30 hours a month was:
advised. :

Labor Picnic
SUNDAY, SEPT. 11

MIKE RAINES
RANCH

CEDAR

CHILDREN’S RACES
Tug O’ War
Horseshoe Contest
Bus leaves Rest Riooom at 11
am. and 1 p.m.—Route: along
- Nicol Street

Sponsored by Nanaimo LPP

; GREETINGS

from

MOBERLEY CLUB

LPP
% rs
LABOR DAY.
GREETINGS _
TOTHE ~—
WORKERS OF B.C.

from
NIILO MAKELA
CLUB, LPP

PACIFIC TRIBUNE — SEPTEMBER 9, 1949 — PAGE 6

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