34 Years of
Notable
Progress

We mark the occasion with the publication in this issue of
the Western Canadian Lumber Worker the story of the IWA in
B.C. This story will refresh the memories of many old-timers, for
many charter members of the IWA are still active in the work of
our Union. It should impress those members who have more
recently joined our Union with the fact that present-day benefits
were won only through the struggle and sacrifice of IWA

pioneers.
The history of our Union, the largest in Western Canada, is
packed with exciting drama — the drama of unrelenting

struggle against powerful employers and anti-labour govern-
ments. It has been a constant battle to win the right to organize,
to bargain collectively and establish trade union democracy for
the woodworkers. Part of this drama was the ideological conflict
within our organization which precipitated a crisis in 1948.

Organization of the woodworkers was born in the “hungry
thirties,’ when men slaved for as little as 25c an hour in the.
woods and the mills. The enslavement of poverty and op-
pression, then endured, is now hard to believe.

Men worked long and hazardous hours for a bare pittance.
Workers who talked trade union organization were hounded,
persecuted and blacklisted out of employment. Reckless speed-
up methods of production took a heavy toll of human lives. The
Union brought lumber workers out of dark days of misery and
degradation. The courage and stamina shown by the loggers
who fought the early battles for our trade union rights deserve
our warmest tribute. It was the loggers of British Columbia who
laid the foundations of our Union as it now exists.

The remarkable progress made. is seen in a contrast bet-
ween the conditions established in the 1970 master agreements
and those which prevailed before 1937, the birth year of the
IWA.

Men who once worked for 25 cents an hour, or for their
board, are now assured of a base rate of $3.42 ($3.72 June 15,
1971) an hour, with a much higher average rate in the Union’s
wage structure.

Those who were fired for Union membership, now enjoy
such membership as a condition of employment, with security.

The 70-80-hour work week has been displaced by the 40-
hour week. Overtime for nothing or merely straight time is a
thing of the past. A 35-hour work week is just around the corner.

The only vacations known in 1937 were compulsory layoffs,
with no pay, at the whim of the employers. Today vacations
range from two weeks to five weeks, with full pay.

In 1937, holidays were seldom ever observed, much less
awarded pay. Now the paid statutory holidays number nine.

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In the bad old days, the employers laughed at any seniority
proposals. Now those with length of continuous service have
rights which we may defend.

Once the industry killed two workers every week of
production. Now hazards of their employment are shielded by a
widespread safety program, promoted by the Union.

In the past, loggers were impoverished, exhausted and
under-nourished by arduous and expensive travel to their work
sites, poor grub, unsanitary camp conditions, disproportionate
board rates and commissary robbery. Today, they may claim fare
allowances, travel time, decent food, sanitary bunkhouses and
stabilized board rates.

The loggers and mill workers who survived incredible and
back-breaking toil were a proud and hardy breed of men. But
the skidroad was crowded with broken-backed and burnt-out
men while thousands of destitute families were forced to accept
relief. In 1971, the sick or disabled lumber worker and his family
may maintain self-respect and protection through a Health and
Welfare Plan providing medical coverage, and a measure of
insurance against disaster.

In the dark early days, the man who stated a grievance was
promptly fired and sent ‘“‘down the road.”” He may now process
his grievance, through channels, and even demand arbitration.

Any form of collective bargaining was at first fiercely op-
posed by the employers aided by succeeding provincial
governments. A union agreement was a distinct rarity. The
individual worker was lost in a mad scramble for the available
jobs at the employer’s terms. The employer kept him on his
knees. In 1971, every worker may work under a collective
agreement with the individual employer, with stated rights
upheld by law. In addition, advent of industry-wide bargaining
has backed his demands with the combined strength of 42,000
ae workers through three master agreements won by the

nion.

We may well pause, as we enter our 34th year of growth and
review this drama of struggle, sacrifice, enterprise and fortitude
with pride in the Union’s achievements. The IWA stands in the
foremost rank of Canada’s labour movement. The rewards of
struggle have been well worthwhile and have evolved from
steadfast adherence to policies which placed the advantages of
long-term and steady progress before those of short-term
opportunism. Working conditions, job security as well as wages
have been given equal emphasis.

Legislative protection secured in concert with affiliated
unions, has been demanded as firmly as the economic
protection made possible through IWA membership solidarity.

Although, at this time, we may point with pride to past
achievements, we dare not grow complacent and rest on our
hard-won laurels. We must march with the times, and face new
problems bringing new crises with which we must grapple in the

best traditions of the IWA’s “magnificent journey” from 1937 to.

1971. We are confident that the next 34 years will be as fruitful.