Vol. XXXIX, No. 6 VANCOUVER, B. c. 5c PER COPY JUNE-JULY, 1971 MISS IWA ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS of the Fecent Lake Cowichan Centennial Celebrations was the crowning of Miss: June Viscko as ‘Lady of the Lake.’’ The pretty 17-year old brunette was chosen from a field of eight candidates and was sponsored by the Lake Cowichan IWA Ladies Auxiliary. June’s father, John Vicsko is a PLIB inspector (Local 1-288) at the BCFP Youbou Sawmill, near Lake Cowichan. NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE BLASTS FIR'S SUBMISSION The IWA Coast Negotiaing Committee has blasted Forest Industrial Relation’s sub- mission to Professor H. C. ‘Wilkinson, which advocates no changes should be made in the Plywood Evaluation Programme. The Committee meeting June 11, instructed Regional i PERMIT No. 2075 VANCOUVER, B.C. , KER .» Vancouver, B.C. RETURN REQUESTED 3335 CUMBER Wor ‘the . President Jack Moore to wire Professor Wilkinson advising him that the industry’s sub- mission would lead to the destruction of the present plywood evaluation programme and to the in- dustrial peace now enjoyed in that section of the industry. Copies of the wire were sent to the Minister of Labour James Chabot and the Hon. Mr. Justice Nathan Nemetz. Following is the full text of the telegram: “The IWA Coast Negotiating Committee have studied the submission of Forest Indus- trial Relations to yourself regarding proposed changes to Plywood Evaluation Program. The Committee are greatly disturbed that Forest Industrial Relations have, in effect, presented a document proposing no change what- soever in the present plan, notwithstanding Judge -Nemetz’ Report that you make recommendations on change. We feel that the position of the industry can only lead to the destruction of not only the existing plywood evaluation plan but also the abortion of the sawmill program presently under study. The Nemetz Report was accepted by the plywood workers on the understanding See “COMMITTEE” P-3 NOTICE Publication of the July issue if the Lumber Worker will be suspended to allow the staff to take their annual holidays. Normal publication will resume in August. e Leave AT CHURCHILL FOREST INDUSTRIES MANITOBA IWA MEMBERS WIN MAJOR CONTRACT GAINS The IWA has won a significant breakthrough in improved wages and working conditions in the new two-year agreement negotiated for its members of Local 1-324 employed by the Churchill Forest Industries in Northern Manitoba. Highlights of the settlement included — 60 cents an hour increase on the base rate retroactive to April 1; a further 15 cents an hour April 1, 1972; and a final 15 cents an hour October 1, 1972. Piece workers gained a three percent increase retroactive to last April 1; a further three percent on October 1, 1971, and an additional five percent on October 1, 1972, which will raise their daily earnings to approximately $75.00 per day. Substantial rate increases were won for a number of other categories ranging from $7.71 per day to $9.90 on the final increase. Other improvements negotiated included: e An additional Statutory Holiday bringing the total to nine. e A reduction of the work week from 44 to 40 hours. e A Health and Welfare Plan fully paid by the Company. e Travel time paid in excess of one half hour. e Seniority provisions cluding job posting. e Contractors and_ sub- contractors working in the area must become sig- natory to the Agreement. of absence provisions. e All hours worked in excess of 12 paid at double time. e All hours worked on Sunday paid at time and one half. e More facilities for the camps including recreational facilities. The Union during the talks gave top priority to convincing the Com- pany to knock off one year of the atrocious agreement the in- IWA inherited when it won jj certification of the operation || from the Labourers Inter- national Union of North America. negotiators | iTV The Labourers Union had gained certification of the operation through a back door agreement with former com- pany officials. This sweetheart agreement provided low wages and no protection to the crew who finally rebelled and joined the IWA. Unfortunately, the labour laws stipulate that an existing agreement must remain in force until its termination date unless the parties mutually agree to dissolve it. The Labourers’ contract: didn’t expire until March 31, 1972. Another major gain won by the Union was changing the wording for the probationary period from 30 calendar days to 30 working days. Heading up negotiations for the IWA were Regional officers 2nd Vice-President Jack Munro and 8rd Vice-President Stan Parker who were ably . assisted ‘by Local 1-184 Business Agent. Art Friske, John Tremblay from the Wabowden operation and Octavio Buddai from the Cran- berry Portage operation. In charge of negotiations for © the Company was Mr. W. D. Stothert, P.Eng., who in- dicated in his opening remarks that the Company was _in- terested in amicably settling the agreement and maintain- ing good working relations with the IWA. Mr. Stothert and his fellow associates had been appointed to manage Churchill Forest Industries when the Manitoba Courts placed. the firm in receivership following an investigation into its financial activities by the Manitoba New Democratic Party govern- ment. oF EAS Sorel w= a Ee a Pa Sa CT a , SRT a er) i EMBER THANKS IWA i | { Box 135, Savona, B.C. | Jan. 11/71 | The. Sec’y., | IWA Local 1-417, Salmon Arm, B.C. | | Dear Fraternal Brother: I As I was officially retired on Dec. 30 /70, I wish to apply | | for retirement card as I would like to leave in good stan- | ding. The particulars on my identification are: i} Joseph A. Proud, S.A., 3020, | Savona Timber Co. ‘Ltd. | At this time I would like to thank the ‘Negotiating | Committee’ for the excellent settlements they got in our |)_ recent wage negotiations. Especially considering the tough | bunch they had to talk to. 4 I would like to say that of the various unions which I have | belonged to (9 altogether) the I.W.A. has been the most | democratic and with the best fraternal feeling. - | | Thanks for the many benefits. Keep up the good work. I | will be following you. | Good luck. 1 Yours faithfully, | JOE PROUD. | ce | »B| REGIONAL PRESIDENT JACK MOORE installing the new officers of Local 1-417 IWA at the Local’s Executive Board meeting June 4 in Salmon Arm. Group from left, Art Fast, Warden; Herb Sadorski, Conductor; Ted MacDonald, Recording Secretary; Kevin Kelly, Financial Secretary; Ray Hutchison, 3rd Vice-President; Jack Kerssens, 2nd Vice- President; Bill Hobbs; 1st Vice-President; Sonny Alexandre, President; Jack Moore.