> = — a Io~. - ee 2nd Issue August, 1961 WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER From Page 1 \\ Al Increase fire season and will remain in effect for the duration of the current Coast Master Agreement. Signing of the Memorandum brings to an end a long-standing grievance of the loggers over the severe cut in pay suffered while fighting fire. Their complaints to the Local Unions were thoroughly investigated by the Re- gional Officers and meetings were arranged with Forest Industrial Re- lations Limited. As a result the issue was firmly pressed in negotiations and an agreement reached of which the details are given below. _ Fire Rates The following are the fire fighting rates negotiated: (a) The basic rate shall be $2.13 per hour and shall apply to all em- ployees engaged in fire fighting ex- cept those performing one of the fol- lowing fire fighting jobs: Crew Boss $2.69 per hour; Cat Operators $2.66 per hour; Power Saw Operator $2.50 per hour; Mechanics, Mechanics’ regular job rate; Slip on Tank with Pump Driver or Opera- tor $2.55 per hour; Water Tank Truck with Pump Driver or Operator $2.25 per hour; Service Truck and Bus Drivers $2.20 per hour; Pump- man $2.23 per hour. (b) Straight time rates will apply to all employees throughout the per- jod during which the said employees are engaged in fire fighting in accord- ance with Art. V, Sec. 1 (c) of the Master Agreement. (c) Regular job rates will apply only for the duration of the regular production shift started. (d) Where employees are working in job classifications during fire fight- ing, other than those set out herein, job rates shall apply. Board and Lodging (a) Employees who commute from home or camp are expected to “carry a lunch”. Additional meals where re- quired will be at Company expense. (b) Employees required to live away from their private residence will receive board and lodging at Com- pany expense. (c) Employees living in fly camps will receive board and lodging at Company expense: Travel Time Travel time will be paid for all time travelling in excess of 1% hours from the marshalling point and re- turn. Slash Burning (a) All employees engaged in watching or controlling slash fires which have been set by the Company will be paid their regular job rate and overtime conditions will apply. . (b) When a slash fire is out of con- trol and emergency. suppression measures are required, then fire fight- ing rates will apply together with other conditions set out herein. (c) The arbitration award of the late Chief Justice Gordon McG. Sloan handed down on the 23rd of Feb- ruary, 1948, shall apply to (a) and (b) herein. From Page 1 “Vital Task” than to any revival of out-worn con- troversies. The recent disastrous forest fires will likely provoke pointed comment from the delegates, because of their great interest in forest conservation. The subject of unemployment will be, in all probability, one of the major themes of convention declarations. With this will be linked consideration of the welfare of workers displaced by structural and _ technological changes in the industry. Once again, the delegates will un- doubtedly give voice to their indigna- tion regarding restrictive labour legis- lation, which has hampered IWA negotiations in the past. The administration of the strike fund will be fully reported upon and discussed, that membership views re- garding this large trust fund may be made known and clearly established. The usual amendments to the Con- stitution and By-laws will be pres- ented, and rumours are to the effect that some of these will receive wide- spread support. The four days alloted for conven- ton business will be packed with hard work for the delegates in order that satisfactory plans may be charted for the next year. To this end the Regional Officers have made ‘careful preparations. Convention committees will meet in advance to expedite the work of the assembly. The customary Convention Ban- quet will provide an evening of relaxa- tion and sociability, and this year will present some new and attractive en- tertainment features. in which the fire + MAYOR CHARLOTTE WHITTON addressing opening session of the jammed with 2200 delegates of which over 700 represented the trade union movement. Ot: install dt ¢ - ria tor bp i er” RN, i he A WR it, aM MMe a A ’ bag 41 > ae Weare a)