Vol. XLVIII No. 9 | 2 ti vw thewestern canadian Wor A SHORTER By DOUG SMYTH Regional Research Director During the past few years many IWA members have expressed strong interest in securing additional paid time off. There are a number of programs which may provide the most suitable form of shorter working time for the wood products industry. The advantages and disadvantages of these options are discussed in the report below. It | SEE “WORK WEEK” — PAGE TWO | | VANCOUVER, B.c | 75 PERMIT No. 20 2859 Commercial Dr.. Vancouver. F.C. RETURN REQUESTED THE LUMBER WORKER VANCOUVER, B.C. lumber worker AT REGIONAL CONVENTION ISSN 0049-7371 REGIONAL OFFICERS RE-ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION Delegates to the forty-third Annual Regional Convention held September 29- October 3, in Vancouver, showed their support for the present administration by re-electing the officers to another two-year term of office. Re-elected were Jack Munro, president; Bob Blanchard, Ist vice-president; Neil Menard, 2nd vice-president; Ernie Clarke, 8rd vice-president; Wyman Trineer, secre- tary-treasurer. The convention was one of the quietest on record. The over two hundred delegates were obviously more interested in hammering out the Union’s priorities for the coming year than fighting over trivial matters. This showed in the manner in which they dealt with the numerous resolutions and policy matters brought up during the five- day meet. Chief among these was the report on shorter working time presented by Doug Smyth, the Union’s research director, which will be dealt with at the Wages & Contract Conference next Spring. A major step was also taken at the conven- tion to put the wheels in motion for the Union to have its Health & Welfare Plan administered in the same manner as the IWA-Forest Industry Pension Plan. The delegates demonstrated their concern over the mounting unemployment by demanding that the federal and provincial governments immediately initiate pro- grammes to create more jobs. a we . or > > - —_— “ Sos , ee | | Members of the Office and Technical Employees Union who have been on strike for the past three months againstCrownLife - Insurance were given some moral support by delegates from the IWA Regional Convention who visited the picket lines. Housing was also the centre of attention and the convention pressed for the provin- cial government to embark on a massive programme of good quality low-cost public housing to relieve the present housing shortage. During the discussion on political action the delegates showed their strong support for the New Democratic Party by reaffirm- ing their support to the Party. Other resolutions called for: e Governments to embark on a comprehen- sive and adequate reforestation and silvaculture programme. e The federal government to amend the Income Tax Act to provide Tax exemption for weekly indemnity payments. e The IWA to inform the provincial govern- ment that the Union was totally opposed to having user fees applied to medicare. Canada’s Constitution also came in for debate and a motion was passed calling on the political leaders of Canada “to give the interest of the country as a whole the first priority and that the provisions of the new proposed Constitution be a subject of exten- sive national debate before any move is made to adopt it and that the views and interests of the trade union movement and other democratic forces be sought and heeded in the process.” The convention also bitterly opposed the question of western separation as proposed by Premier Bennett by stating that “‘it represents nothing more than narrow and cheap regional economic opportunism.” Shown in the front row fourth from left is Roger Stanyer, president of Local 1-80; sixth from left is Erich Ewert, financial secretary of Local 1-217; and just behind, Jack Munro, regional president. OCTOBER, 1980