Woodworkers need unity for upcoming struggles By WOODWORKER The International Woodwork- er’s of America Regional conven- tion, held in Vancouver, came to a close at noon Saturday, Oct. 12. It is appropriate now to reflect on what happened and how it will affect the entire labor movement. Deliberations showed some po- sitive and some negative results. These will obviously be the sub- ject of much discussion amongst the rank and file because they are confronted with serious problems that demand solution. The convention adopted a re- solution calling for a Trade Un- ion Forestry Council. This coun- cil would be a co-ordinating body between all the unions inthe field of wood utilization. It is a good resolution and should be taken seriously and acted upon by all other unions. It is too late in the day for a go-it-alone policy in such a highly monopolized industry as B.C.’s forest industry has be- come. The implementation of: this resolution can go a long way to protecting the interests of all woodworkers. The resolution opposing nu- clear weapons on Canadian soil was also timely and that it was endorsed almost unanimously was an indication that the I.W.A, has come a long way in this respect in the last few years. This resolution will have the greatest effect for peace if it is carried from the printed word into action in mobilizing the woodworkers and their families to participate in such activities that will make provincial and fed- eral governments aware of our opinions. When it comes to questions of labor unity and union demo- cracy, rank and file union en- thusiasm, job conditions and wages — it is here, unfortun- ately the convention deliberations left much to be desired and re- flected a crisis of leadership. * * * Through two extra sessions and four roll call votes, the con- vention came to a close and re- vealed once again the crisis of leadership and policy which has gripped the union in Western Can- ada, The issues around which this struggle took shape were on the surface minor ones, i.e. the ques- | .tion of representation on the re- gional executive board and the amount of per capita tax to the regional office. Why a major split on such **minor’’ issues? It is obviously a question of whether to have more or less rank and file rep- JENNIE’S CAFE NOW OPEN 335 Main St. Good, .Home-Cooked Meals CR i et | ROOFING | & ae METAL — i "Reasonable | | Gutters and Downpipes ) Duroid, Tar and Gravel : NICK BITZ BR 7-6722 ! resentation in leadership in the working out of union policy which affects the very existence of every woodworker and his family. To get a more rounded picture of the problem we will have to briefly review a bit of his- tory. Because if one agnores the lessons of history, one is bound to repeat its mistakes. Up until 1948 the ILW.A. had been a rank and file union. Strong, militant job organization had been the heart of its structure. Be- cause of this factor, plus mili- tant leadership, some _ great victories were produced and the. 40 hour week, which woodworkers still enjoy, was won at that time. In that period active job stew- ards had been organized and func- tioned in every local, Camp and mill committees settled griey- ances right at the job level. The union as a whole conducted an active campaign for peace, and an end to the cold war and for labor solidarity both national- ly and internationally. The union crisis in 1948 had its source in the success of big business interests to intro- duce the cold war into our union affairs—as well as the whole labor movement. +. * The leadership that took over from that time followed the cold war, red-baiting line. Where has it led? What of the present? There is now very little rank and file participation in the union. Job steward organization is prac- tically non-existent. Job evalua- tions in the plywood section has resulted in rate revision being taken out of the hands of the mem- bership and placed in the hands of an industry committee which is not responsible to the mem- bership. Automation and mechanization are introduced along side with speed-up, which is rampant. The employers have a free hand and it is difficult for the membership to fight back, More and more the adminis- tration of the union is being taken over by the regional lead- ership, where it is out of the hands of the membership and be- yond the reach of the locals. In following this line of boss collaboration, which pays off in dollars and cents for the comp- anies, the regional leadership has seriously undermined the very existence of the union and has allowed deep inroads against the conditions of the workers, Nat- urally, workers will speak up against such wrongs. In order to protect their‘‘pre- fered’’ positions, the regional leadership, true to its cold war origin, trots out the red her- ring — ‘*‘Communist, fellow tra- veller’’, they cry. Clearly, thisis no answer to solving the prob- lems of the workers, problems of labor solidarity, rank and file control, a militant policy to bring back good job conditions and a better standard of living. It is this that underlies the struggle that errupted at the Re- gional convention. The fight for democracy ex- pressed itself when the big local unions (closer to the member- PRIOR GARAGE & SERVICE 219 Prior St. MU 23-2926 COMPLETE AUTO SERVICE & REPAIRS Auto Body Work LEE, Proprietor ship) tried to get more represen- tation on the executive board and thus improve their position in policy making. More per-capita tax to the region without chang- ing representation would mean greater control of the unions by the regional leadership. * * * In about four months the union will be entering what could be a decisive round of negotiations. Everything must be done to un- ify the I.W.A. membership for the struggle around: * Higher wages and improve- ments in health and welfare clauses. * Answering the employers at- tacks through mechanization and speed-up. * The right to negotiate the number of workers doing any job. * Shorten the hours of work to six hours per day with the same take home pay. * Adequate wage adjustments for new skills and neepmete bilities. * Eliminate Aiteiices of ply- wood evaluation. * For an adequate employer paia pension. To achieve these things and to mobilize our union for action on the broader questions of peace,’ development of B.C.’s ownnatur- al resources, increasedtrade and friendship with all countries ‘ending of the cold war—to achieve such a program we must change the atmosphere that existed at the Regional convention. The new at- mosphere must become one of unity and democracy within our union and unity in struggle for our rights on the job. How this struggle is solved will have far reaching effects on the whole B.C. labor movement. This giant machine is claimed by its builders in the U.S. to be the biggest of its kind. The stripping shovel, shown with two pick-up trucks in its giant mouth, can move 200 tons at a single bite. The work it does has replaced may miners and is part of the pattern of growing automation in the U.S. New features to highlight annual Ukrainian bazaar The annual bazaar sponsored ‘by the Association of United Uk- rainian Canadians will be held November 14, 15, 16 from 5 to 11 p.m. daily, at 805 E. Pender Street, Vancouver. Many new features are part of this year’s preparations, Ukrainian meals will be served each day at dinner hour. The tea room will serve Ukrainian bak- ing and pastries as well as sell FORD WORKERS PROTEST SPEEDUP OAKVILLE, ONT: Some 4,700 angry Ford Workers ignored go easy pleas of their union leadership to stage a two-day walkout over the company’s three-day suspension of 20 men. Ford has announced the suspensions as a disciplinary measure against workers who took partinasimilar strike October 9-10. While the second strike was triggered by the suspensions, the underlying cause of both walkouts was the same—speedup, The men want the company to ease offon production demands or hire more workers. The men unanimously refused to go in to work. many traditional recipes in bak- ing, pastries and cooking. The usual games of chance will offer beautiful gifts which have been donated by business firms and merchants of Vancou- ver, A white elephant sale, sewing as well as a ‘‘hat-bar’’, crochet- ing, knitting articles will be available and -interesting for those looking for a special and different Christmas gift. Many Ukrainian embroideries will be on sale. This year a display of inter- national folk handicraft and a Hobby Show will be of interest. A good selection of English and Ukrainian titles will be featured at the book table. The proceeds will go towards promoting the cultural work of the association within the Ukrainian Canadian community. Classified Advertising NOTICE DURING THE CURRENT CIR-, CULATION DRIVE THE PACI- FIC TRIBUNE OFFICE WILL. REMAIN OPEN ON SATURDAY from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. COMING EVENTS NOVEMBER’ 10 — Meet DR, JAMES ENDICOTT at a DINNER from 5 to 6p.m.SUN- DAY, NOVEMBER 10th, at the FISHERMEN’S HALL — 138E. Cordova St. Supper $1.00. Hear Dr. Endicott speak on ‘THE TEST BAN & DISARMAMENT” at 8 p.m. All welcome. NOVEMBER 17—Come and hear OXANA BIGELOW (with color slides), SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, at 8p.m. 2991 VICTORIA DRIVE (Victoria and 14th Ave.) Refreshments will be served, Admission 50¢, Auspices King- sway Club. DON'T do your Xmas shopping now! Wait for Annual Pt. Grey Bazaar November 30. Pottery, plants, toys, preserves, etc. 4590 West 8rd, 1 p.m. on. COMING EVENTS ‘BUSINESS PERSONALS November 15 — See RECENT SLIDES OF: CUBA, and com- mentary by Roger Prentice. FRIDAY, NOV, 15 at 8 p.m., BOAG HALL (54th and Elliot), _in AID OF HURRICANE VIC- TIMS. Everyone is invited to attend. _ BUSINESS PERSONALS’ “34 TRANSFER — 1424 Com: - mercial Drivé. Call Nek _ AL 3-0727. SASAMAT-SHOES & REPAIRS 4463 West 10th Ave. Phone CA 4-1017 a PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES — $14.95. A;; Optical Prescrip tions filled, Standard bi-focals $5.95 Additional. SEAL OPTI- CAL, 102 Ford Bldg. , 198 EAST HASTINGS ST., MU 38-8819. = REGENT TAILORS LTD. — Cuis- ‘tom Tailors and Ready-to-Wear ° 324 W. Hastings St. . MU 1-8456 or 4441 EF. Hastings - CY-8-2030. ‘See Henry Rankin for personal service. Maveiiber 8, 1963—PACIFIC TRIBUNE—Page & WEST END RADIO—Special? izing in TV Repairs. Latest’ precision equipment used. (Formerly OK’ Radio: Ser’. vice). Now at 1721 Robson ‘St. MU 3-2618. IS YOUR CAR, HOUSE or BUSI- ° ‘NESS INSURANCE DUE? Call Ben Swankey to-get the best possible policy, for your money. 433-8323. ‘HALLS FOR RENT ‘CLINTON HALL,. 2605 £. Pender. Available for ban- quets, meetings, weddings,! «etc: Phone AL 3-9964.° RUSSIAS PEOPLES’ ome) ' —Available for meétings;: banquets and. weddings at reasonable rates. 600 Ca)- bell Ave. MU 4-9939: PENDER” Auditorium (Marine Workers? — ‘339 West Pender Phone. MU 1-948% ‘Large and Small Halls .for Rentals se!