THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER 2nd Issue Dec.. 1965 ORGANIZATION REPORT By WALTER KOZIJ 2nd Vice-President, Local 1-71 The IWA _ organizational drive at Skeena Forest Pro- ducts Limited and DuMont Lumbering Limited, Terrace, B.C., ended with representa- tion votes conducted at both operations on November 12th, 1965. The results at Skeena For- est Products Limited were disappointing: E Eligible Voters _.__. _ 162. Terrace & District For- estry Employees’ Union IWA 12 The majority of the employ. ees at DuMont Lumbering Limited voted for the IWA and we have received certifi- cation for this Company. TERRACE The Terrace & District For- estry Employees’ Union held a certification and agreement in both operations and in com- pliance with the Labour Re- lations Act the IWA could only apply for certification during the months of Septem- ber and October. In the case of DuMont Lumbering Limit- ed, the IWA will now inherit the “sweetheart agreement” until it expires. The Local Union applied for certification at Skeena Forest Products Limited on Septem- ber 7th, 1965, with 104 mem- bers signed up. A long waiting period began at that time which saw some members ter- minate and numerous new employees hired. Twenty-six of these new employees joined the IWA. INCREASE | ~On November ist the em- — ployees were given a 14 cent an hour wage increase, in ac- cordance with their collective agreement. The car loaders were given an additional 8 cents an hour. It must be pointed out that the agree- ment in these two plants was for a 2-year period from No- vember Ist, 1964 to November Ist, 1966, with a 14 cent an hour wage increase in 1964 and 1965. This is 44% months behind the IWA agreement and substantially benefits the employer, Nas abe Immediately the wage in- ~ crease went into effect, many employees were lulled into a false sense of security and fell prey to the scare campaign regarding strikes, plus a smear campaign on per capita being paid to keep our affiliation with the International Union, which was deliberately falsi- fied to infer that the Union was controlled by highly paid U.S. IWA officials. DELAYS It is the opinion of numer- ous members of the Union in the Terrace area and the Local Officers that a more favour- able result would have emerg- ed had the Labour Relations Board acted promptly on our applications. This is not the first time our Local Union has been faced with these undue delays. On July 30th of this year we applied for a certifi- cation for all employees of Mayo Lumber Company Lim- ited. We did not receive a cer- tification until September 21. BOARD It is unfortunate that the Labour Relations Board acts in ways which frustrate and hamper the efforts of a legiti- mate trade union. The employ- ees of Skeena Forest Products Limited are now not only stuck with an agreement which provides inferior wages, hours of work and working conditions, but are also repre- sented by a Union which will not enforce any issues which could be enforced. To explain further, a portion of the “sweetheart agreement” at Skeena Forest Products Lim- ited reads, quote: “The regular hours of work shall be eight (8) hours per day and forty (40) hours per week, Rate and one-half shall be paid for any hours worked over eight (8) hours per day and forty (40) hours per week. Rate and one-half however, shall not apply to half an hour per day paid on a regular basis to Employees over and above the normal eight (8) hours per day or forty (40) hours per week for changing saws, eare of machines, etc. Produc- tion work shall be paid rate and one-half for Sunday re- gardless of the number of hours worked during the week, with the exception of Watchmen and Firemen.” The labour laws of this Province provide for an eight (8) hour day and a forty-four (44) hour week and overtime payment for work in excess of these hours. Why the Department of La- bour allows the Employer and his “Sweetheart Unions” to make a mockery of these laws is a question we are not able to answer. FROM PAGE 1 “CONFERENCE resolution on Automation and Mechanization was given strong support. Elected to represent the Local at the Regional Wage and Contract Conference were: E. Ollenberger, F. Mil- lar, W. Kozij, Ben Thompson, G. Davis, R. B. Pickering, W. H. Wilson, W. Penner, J. Pope, D.. Otto, C. Munson, J. Leh- man and O. Watson. Elected as Alternates were: G. Phil- lips, G. Borg and R. Walker. The successful meeting was closed on a note of relaxation as delegates were reminded of the Annual Loggers’ Ball scheduled for that evening. “LOOK AT IT THIS WAY, CHUBB~YOU'RE DAMAGING THE COMPANY IMAGE. LOGGERS' BALL About 700 people attended the Annual Loggers’ Ball sponsored by Local 1-71, IWA. - Outside it was cold, snow and wind, but inside it was the warmth of the Scotch polko, Jamacian melodies, the Italian grape song, and Com- ing Thru’ the Rye. (Didn’t notice any Japanese or Rus- sian “melodies”). It was an evening to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends as everyone gath- ered attempted the wide var- iety of music from the Congo line, to the waltz. Spot prizes were awarded throughout the evening. Three young ladies won prizes for showing us how to do the Twist. (Boy! What hooker wouldn’t want them working on his side?) Fifteen tickets were drawn during the intermission with prizes going to, in order, tic- a number, name, donated y: 3127, Hugh Astle, B.C. Air- lines Ltd. 915, Harold Forsman, B.C. Forest Products. 2351, W. Simpson, Dave Bod- dy’s Employment. 1799, Wayne Beecroft, Cana- dian Collieries Resources. - 3221, James E. Ray, Canadian Forest Products. 477, L. J. Babuin, Crown Zel- lerbach. 2354, W. Simpson, Dayton’s Shoes. .2405, Wm. Dubinsky, Heads Boot Mfg. 1277, Ken Kroeker, - Tent & Awning. 1228, Doug Davidson, “Madil Sales. 2181, Joseph Johnson, McCul- loch Chain Saws. 2213, Tim Ford, MacMillan, Bloedel & Powell River. 902, Bob Hurst, Pierre Paris & Sons. 3282, Ellen Morrow, Rayonier Canada (B.C.) Ltd. 986, G. Johnston, Tailors. Jones Regent PRESIDENT WALTER ALLEN of Local 1-85 IWA, Port Alberni, presents Union member J. R. Thomas, employed at the Sproat Lake Division of M.B. & P.R., with the Union’s Diploma and pin awarded to members having twenty-five years or more service in the IWA. Brother Thomas has worked at the Sproat Lake Division since 1946. Previous to this he worked at B. & K. Logging at Vedder Canal. 1-217 DUES INCREASE The membership of Local 1-217 IWA, Vancouver, in a referendum ballot, approved a 50 cent per member per month dues increase. The increase now brings the Local’s monthly dues to $5.00 per member per month start- ing January, 1966. bca Wie ‘FLY B.C. AIR LINES’ a >