THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER FROM PAGE 7 ‘REGIONAL OFFICERS’ REPORT’ The Officers feel that while the Wilkinson Report will initiate a number of improvements in plywood evaluation, it leaves many long-standing problems unanswered, and generally falls short of ex- pectations. - As negotiating committees negotiate additional evaluation programs and changes to the existing plans, the work load becomes impossible for the existing staff, and additional people are necessary if we are to perform the best possible job for the members that we represent. POLITICAL EDUCATION The major political events of the past year have taken place in the Prairie Provinces, with provincial elections in Alberta and Saskatchewan both providing changes of government. This organization was especially pleased with the results of the Saskatchewan election, since it resulted in a landslide victory for the NDP. The task of the Trade Union movement there has already been made lighter by action of that new government — Bill 2 (the ‘Essential Services Act’’) has been repealed, a forty-four hour week has_ been established, a Minimum Wage Board has been set up, and an additional statutory holiday has been added. We believe that further changes to the Labour Relations Act,-designed to protect working people, are contemplated. Perhaps even more important than _ these legislative matters, we find, as we found earlier with the Manitoba government, that we are able to work closely with the Saskachewan government and its officials — if not always in complete agreement, at least with a sense of common goals and mutual respect. Such.an atmosphere is especially refreshing to trade unionists accustomed to the hostility of the B.C. government. Unfortunately, we have not yet noticed similar changes arising out of the Progessive Conservative victory over the Alberta Social Credit government. We will be watching developments there, giving par- ticular attention to the problems created by the legal presence, in that province, of so many company unions. We believe that Alberta is the only jurisdiction in Canada that allows company unions, and that Albertan wage earners pay the cost. Our organization continues to enjoy a con- structive relationship with the Government of Manitoba. Your officers are currently co-operating with that government’s determined and imaginative program to ensure that job opportunities arising out of industrial development_in Northern Manitoba go - to residents of that area, and especially to Native Indians. Developments in British Columbia are less dramatic and less encouraging. The Government did reshuffle its cabinet so as to provide for a Minister of Labour who has no other portfolios. This is a measure which has long been urged on the govern- ment by the B.C. Federation of Labour, and as such can be taken as a modest success. The new Minister, Mr. Chabot, has made a number of public statements about his willingness to meet and consult with labour, and we applaud that. However, we do not believe that Mr. Chabot’s appointment reflects any important change in the government’s attitude toward organized labour. Indeed, we continue to believe that such a change . will await a change in government. As regards making that change, your Officers must agree with the general view that organized labour in B.C. has not been sufficiently active. Un- fortunately, this union has not been an exception to that rule. The B.C. Wederstion of Labour has suggested that this unsatisfactory state of affairs will continue until our movement undertakes a fundamental change in priorities, and in particular until permanent arrangements in finances and personnel are made to accommodate growing political action. Without in any way trying to limit our responsibility for past shortcomings, we want to express our full agreement with that analysis. The Federation has launched a program centered around the concept of ‘‘political action stewards”’ to overcome the difficulty of reaching the, rank and file membership with our political objectives. We un- derstand that you will be dealing with a resolution on that subject. We hope that this convention can find the basis for ‘a program that will effectively reach our membership and be translated into differences in provincial election ballot boxes. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION The Department assisted in seminars held in Locals 1-71, 1-85, 1-118, 1-357, 1-417, and 1-424. Sub- jects included Shop Steward Training, Collective Bargaining, Problems in the Forest Industry, and Pollution. More of these seminars are scheduled for this fall, and Locals are urged to take advantage of them. In addition, we have prepared materials for Locals who do not want to undertake the expense of holding seminars. The Department once again visited a number of schools with general information on organized labour. On the research side, the Department’s major activities have been in preparing the pension report that is to be submitted to this Convention, a logging wage and productivity study for the up- coming Wages and Contract Conference, and providing technical assistance for negotiations. FINANCES Considering the additional service required by the Local Unions and in checking the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1971, it becomes obvious that the Regional Council is under-financed to do the job that is required. We had an excess of expenditure over revenue for the year of $21,339. Salary for the officers and staff ge this period was increased in the amount of 23, se Car eultaint fees for evaluation amounted to $20,495. Under organization and travel, which includes per diem, hotel, travelling, etc., there was an in- crease of $20,413. The reason this expenditure is so high is patially due to the jurisdictional dispute in Local 1-424. The increase in per diem and hotel also are factors to be considered. In 1972, it will be necessary for the Regional Council to assist Local Unions in the Northern and Southern Interior and the coastal area in negotiations. In checking audits back to 1965, we find a variation in negotiating expenditures from $6,887.21 in 1965 to $41,293 in 1968. While we received excellent co-operation from the Local Unions on expenditures in our problem of raiding by the Canada Pulp Union in Local 1-424, the Region spent an additional amount of approximately $8,000. IN SESSION ARE LOCALS 1-405, 1-217, 1.357 JANUARY TO AUGUST 1971 EXPENSES re P.P.W.C. CAMPAIGN : Jensen, E. $ 806.70 Larson, F. L. 476.50 McCrae, T. J. 5,807.00 “gare “McEwan, K. 2,010.84 ae a McGaffin, P 130.67 we Pelletier, G. 153.30 yar Sloat, L. 829.10 ‘een Viala, F. J. 3,747.80 ay, Worhaug, N.¢ 7,685.68 $21,647.59 * Salary Refund deducted at INCOME re P.P.W.C. CAMPAIGN : = Local 1-71 $ 600.00 - Local 1-80 500.00 ‘ Local 1-85 2,400.00 % Local 1-206 100.00 4 Local 1-217 1,300.00 .. Local 1-357 1,500.00 ag Local 1-367 300.00 Local 1-405 600.00 Local 1-417 700.00 Local 1-423 600.00 Local 1-424 3,000.00 IWA Portland 2,000.00 SAFETY The Officers of the Regional Council commend the Officers of the Regional Safety Council, and the Safety Committees on the job, for the splendid work | that is being done in the field of safety in the vor working industry. The Safety Council officers along with na Regional Officers, are submitting a recommendation _ to the Convention which we hope will improve the effectiveness of the Safety Council and result in — further reductions in the number of accidents and — fatalities. LADIES AUXILIARY The Regional Officers again wish to record ap- | preciation for the assistance rendered by thé members of the Ladies Auxiliary. We have noted with satisfaction their continued effort to play i important role in our organization. It has been the practice of the Ladies Auxiliary wi EP rotate the host Local among the delegates a the Ladies Auxiliary meetings. This year Local 1-217 * is the host Local, and the officers of the Regional — Council wish to. express appreciation to the Ladies > Auxiliary for their excellent co-operation in making © their meetings successful. +g CONCLUSION a We urge the delegates to this Convention to devote — their efforts in this Convention to full consideratic of the membership’s many problems. We have difficult year ahead, where it will be necessary to negotiate agreements for most of the membership in _ the Regional Council, and if we work as a team the will be no doubt as to the outcome of ihe negotiations. Respectfully submitted by the Regional Officers J. A. Moore, President T. W. Trineer, 1st Vice-President J. J. Munro, 2nd Vice-President S. Parker, 3rd Vice-President Fred Fieber, Secretary-Treasurer. .? “ | | | } | | { ( | 1 = =