SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER, 1974 HOUSING FOUNDATION WINS DELEGATES BACKING In line with the resolution passed demanding more housing from the Federal Gov- ernment, the regional conven- tion endorsed a resolution urging the IWA to support The United Housing Foundation. The resolution urged all local unions to support the founda- tion in their areas in any way they could. The delegates stated that it. | was obvious that more housing is needed and any effort by any group that is dedicated to providing houses for working people at reasonable rates should be supported. FOREST UNIONS COOPERATION STUDY Great interest was shown by convention delegates in the fact that contracts in the pulp section of the forest industry as well as IWA contracts in Region 3 will be expiring at about the same time in 1975. Out of this interest the convention instructed the officers of the Regional Council to take whatever steps necessary to ensure a maximum amount of coopera- tion between all the parties bargaining next year. The delegates expressed a feeling that through cooperation from all sections better bargaining posture will result and thus better agreements. International President Keith Johnson also stressed the need for bargaining coopera- tion between the pulp unions, Region One and Region Three in his speech to the convention. DEMOCRATIC CHILE DEMANDED BY MEET The military takeover in Chile a year ago has destroyed the democratic freedom brought to that country by Salvador Allende. As a result of the coup trade unions have been outlawed, wages frozen and strikes made illegal. In addition those holding to socialist philosophy have been thrown into prison for their beliefs. The Annual Regional Con- vention recognized the plight of trade unionists and social- ists in Chile and has demanded that free democracy be returned to that country. The convention demanded that all political prisoners be freed, trade union freedom be restored and that Canada open its doors to political refugees from the South American country. The convention also demanded that the Canadian Government withdraw its diplomatic recognition of the military Junta and break off all trade relations and privileges until democratic freedoms are returned to the Chilean people. —————————————————————— CONFERENCE CALLS FOR “ONE UNION IN WOOD” A more aggressive. cam- paign to realize, ‘‘one union in wood’’, was called for at the convention. It was noted that companies are taking ad- vantage of the multi-union rep- resentation of their employees and as a result are able to impede the progress of the IWA in negotiating improved agreements. A resolution was passed call- ing for merger ‘“‘where pos- sible’, or a campaign to urge the rank and file of other unions to rally around the banner of the IWA. Speakers on the resolution were ada- mant that the only way wood- workers will be able to negoti- ate improved agreements in the future is through one union in wood and that every attempt should be made to realize this goal. NS TES | UNION SEEKS ACTION FOR DISABLED WORKERS The IWA has thrown its support behind the principle that workers permanently disabled in the forest industry are the responsibility of the industry and that the industry is obligated to those workers to see that they are retrained and returned to work. Permanently disabled workers in the forest industry always have trouble obtaining Telephone: 684-3931 = DUMARESQ LOGGERS’ AGENCY 328 Carrall Street, Vancouver 3, B.C. “The Loggers’ Favourite Job Centre” retraining, pensions or just re- turning to their regular jobs the convention was told and it is time something was done about it. Referral of the resolution to the wages and contract con- ference will see the issue debated in February to determine whether it will be included in the set of demands for 1975 negotiations. NICK BRONTE ete MEMBERS OF THE IWA Ladies Auxiliaries pose for their picture at the close of their THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER two day conference which was held in conjunction with the Regional Convention. Follow- ing the conference Mrs. Nola Jones made a short report to the Convention on the activities-of . the Auxiliaries. “CONDEMNED IN DUNCAN _ ae Two union officers have ac- cused the F. W. Woolworth Company store in Duncan, Vancouver Is., of threatening to close down rather than nego- tiate a union contract for its 80 employees. ears Red Visser, business repre- sentative of the Retail, Whole- sale and Department Store Union, which has organized the staff, said the management told employees that it would close the store rather than recognize the union as their bargaining agent. The union has been certified by the B.C. Labour Relations Board and notice to bargain was given a month ago, but management has refused to negotiate. Fernie Viala, president of IWA’s Duncan local, com- mented, ‘‘If the information we have is correct, this company is not only violating the provin- cial labour code but, in a most callous way, is violating the right of workers to negotiate an agreement.” Support for the Woolworth union members has also been extended by George BROADWAY PRINTERS LIMITED printers and lithographers since 1911 SS 115 EAST 8th AVENUE VANCOUVER, B.C, V5T 1R8 Telephone 876-2101 WOOLWORTH FERNIE VIALA Local 1-80 President Popplestone, president of the Nanaimo, Duncan and District Labour Council. The manager of the store has refused to make any. state- ment. What type of gift you in advance. tion and costs immediately: Your name WE DO THE LEG WORK SHOPPING SERVICE Yes, we'll do the shopping while you are away — birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions. . Just send us the information: - Price you want to spend Person you want to receive the gift. We'll do the leg work, mailing, etc. plus we will also keep a permanent record of all your gift needs if you like and remind Fill in the coupon below and we'll send you further informa- , TO CHINA ea An emergency resolution urging the Federal and Provin- cial Governments to seek new lumber markets in Socialist countries and emerging nations won approval, on the convention floor. . ‘The resolution, submitted by the resolutions committee, commended the provincial government for extending .an invitation to Regional Presi- dent Jack Munro to accom- pany the Premier and Govern- ment officials on a trip to the - People’s Republic: of China. The primary purpose of the trip is. to seek out new lumber markets in that country. address Persons you want gifts for Type of gifts Box 3414, Courtenay Send to: TIG’S IMPORTS LTD. Phone 339-3461