é 0 4 ‘ 8 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 “Union Strength first, in some isolated instances, groups of woodworkers secured insurance and medical coverage schemes from the larger companies. The Union’s bargaining succeeded in welding these schemes into regional plans of benefit to all employed woodworkers. This consolidation has resulted in variations relating to contributions and bene- fits as between different areas but the principles are similar. Management has been persuaded to accept a larger and larger share of the financial responsibility. for the protection of health among employees and their families. Provisions have been made for life insurance rang- ing from $3,000 to $6,000; increased insurance in case of accidental death and dismemberment; weekly sick- ness benefits up to $50; and prepaid medical and hos- pital services to cover dependents. While both non-con- tributory and contributory features are found in these plans, the Union has invariably insisted on the right to police administrations and trusteeship arrangements. The record shows that this contract health and welfare protection has been of incalculable benefit to wood- workers and their families. A decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1949 required employers to bargain with unions on pension plans. The IWA in the Western States immed- iately commenced bargaining which has resulted in contract provisions for retirement pensions for workers reaching the age of 65. IWA bargaining in Canada has been clouded by uncertainties over national legislation, though pension plans have been negotiated with some companies. In the development of a satisfactory pension plan, the Union faced a formidable problem. It was clearly evident that a woodworker’s wage income did not permit accumulated savings to provide for income when retired due to age or disability. A pension of $1,200 a year for life for a male person, starting at age 65, requires an actuarial reserve of at least $14,000. Few workers are able to accumulate such a reserve and a retirement income of $1,200: is scarcely adequate. This also illustrates the Union’s problem upon the introduction of a pension plan for workers of varying ages and length of service. It is not possible here to give a detailed description of any single retirement pension plan now in operation. The Union provides full information regarding rights and benefits to every woodworker covered. The important fact to be noted here is that the Union has successfully established the principle of portable retirement pensions to provide an additional measure of security. Additional benefits will accrue as financial reserves accumulate, it is claimed. Management's responsibility for the pro- vision of pensions has been written into the contract, with the continuing right to negotiate necessary im- provements and administrative safeguards. In the United States, such plans are mainly non-contributory as the employer can deduct contributions for income tax pur- poses whereas the employee may not. Non-contributory plans also automatically ensure full participation by all employees. The Union’s determination to establish satisfactory day-to-day job relations is reflected in the development CREDIT UNION DIRECTORY IWA Credit Unions and other Credit Unions supported by IWA Local Unions in B.C. Alberni District Credit Union, Head Office: 211 Argyle St., Port Alberni, B.C. Alberni Branch: 280 Merrifield St., Alberni, B.C. IWA 1-217 Savings, Broadway & Quebec Streets, Vancouver 10. IWA (N.W.) Credit Union, Room 21, 774 Columbia Street, New Westminster é Local 1-118, IWA (Victoria), 1114 Blanshard Street, Victoria Chemainus & District Credit Union, Box 229, Chemainus Courtenay Credit Union, Box 952, Courtenay Clearwater and District Savings and Credit Union, Clearwater Duncan & District Credit Union, Box 717, Duncan Prince George & Distnict, 1046 - 4th Avenue, Prince George Nanaimo & District Credit Union, 499 Wallace St., Nanaimo Ladysmith & District Credit Union, Box 154, Ladysmith, B.C. Lumber Inspectors Credit Union, 315 Richmond Street, New Westminster, B.C. Salmon Arm Credit Union, Shuswap Ave., Salmon Arm, B.C. United Labour Credit Union, 1475 East 43rd, Vancouver : Chamber Won Victories — over the years of a clear-cut grievance procedure in all agreements. This enables job stewards and job com- mittees to demand immediate attention for and adjust- ment of violations of the contract and its correct inter- pretation. Care has been taken to provide for finality of adjustments. In the United States, if the final step of the grievance procedure fails of satisfactory settle- ment, the pressure of a work stoppage may be exer- cised. In Canada, final arbitration is made compulsory by law, and work stoppages during the life of the agree- ment are illegal. For this reason, the Canadian section of the Union has borne a heavy financial burden in the arbitration of grievances to police the agreement effectively. On occasion, heavy penalties have been paid when un- settled grievances provoked work stoppages held to be illegal. Whatever the risks or expense, the IWA has proved its mettle in righting. wrongs on the job. _ IWA bargaining has reaped rich dividends for woodworkers. (TO BE CONTINUED) Plays Old Tune The Canadian Chamber of Commerce played a familiar tune in urging a _ balanced budget and a larger voice for business when it made its an- nual submission to govern- ment. The organization represent- ing 125,000 businessmen — naturally — was opposed to the proposed contributory portable pension plan which would permit Canadians to build additional retirement benefits beyond the mere sub- sistence level now covered in government social legislation. The chamber in that it rep- resents employers resents the fact that employers would also contribute to this mea- sure. Chamber President How- ard T. Mitchell of Vancouver praised the government for cutting as many costs as it has, apparently a reference to reduced defence spending and some measures from the Royal Commission on govern- ment efficiency and econo- mies. 7 pocket books, mystery 7 assorted men’s magazines 7 true detective type mags 3 spicy pocket novels - - OR: Coming to Vancouver? STAY AT THE NEWLY DECORATED AUSTIN MOTOR HOTEL WONDERFUL COMFORT AT LOW PRICES Right in the heart of down- town Vancouver — Granville at Davie Completely refurnished, with TV, dining and lounge facil- ities. 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