“WA DOCUMENTARY — PART 12 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER ’ - PAST EXPERIENCES HELPED DEVELOP remark, “Our Union has become ‘big business’,” is often heard at IWA conventions. By that, of course, is meant “big business” union standards rather than corporation standards. It may refer as much to the usual heavy agenda as the financial statements. It ” expresses confidence that the IWA operates as a business-like organi- ” zation to perform the various functions required by its members. However, “bigness” merely for the sake of “bigness” is not enough. IWA members invariably ask whether this tangible evidence of growth and stability also gives evidence of the Union’s structural fitness to deal with new and urgent problems presently of concern to them. ~ Comparisons between financial statements and reports submitted _ to conventions during the period. 1937-1941 and those now presented , give impressive evidence of greater trade union competency and _ maturity. The revenues annually raised and disbursed total large . sums which reliably indicate a steadily increasing tempo of activity. _ Out of the early debt-ridden period, when it was exposed to attack ~ from without and dissention from within, the Union has emerged as a firmly established International Union. - Under the pressure of unemployment, recessions and techno- . Jogical change, the membership figures have fluctuated as in other < unions similarly affected. The level of membership maintained reveals _ that losses have been largely offset by expanding organization in new * ferritory. In the Union's records there is ample proof that the IWA has developed continuous and dependable unionism commanding + the confidence of the woodworkers served. } Adherence to trade union principles under adversity and em- ~ ployer hostility has given the IWA the reputation of being a “good ' ynion” in organized labor circles. It is so judged, not only by statistical < reports but because of the manner in which it has performed the func- tions expected of a trade union. Like an individual, the IWA has developed a “character’ of its - own with distinctive features shaped by past experience. The de- - velopment of these features, as they relate to the Union's main re- sponsibilities, has been the theme of this documentary. Past perform- ance is a reliable indication of competency in the present which is now the concern of every member and prospective member. In their spontaneous desire and desperate need for unionized . strength in 1937, the woodworkers then determined to found an In- térnational Union. It was to include woodworkers in the United States « and Canada. The IWA now spans the international boundary with strong organization in the areas of key importance. The Union con- . tinues to reap substantial benefits by reason of the fraternal ties between American and Canadian woodworkers. 4 The interlocking relations between the lumber corporations which dominate the lumber industry in both countries has required inter- * national co-ordination of action and policy to forestall exploitation of woodworkers prompted by artificial national rivalries. Loggers and * sawmill workers in Oregon have common cause with loggers and sawmill workers in British Columbia. Acting together, they can accom- ’ plish more in their joint interest than is possible through divided organization. Every suggestion of a division of their interests has been “drowned out by the commonsense realization that they have common _, objectives and a common enemy. The pooling of their resources -* through an International Union has had a profound regulatory effect _ throughout an industrial complex prompted by international financing for a world consumer demand. , Restrictive laws in both countries have originated with related employer groups and have required co-ordinated defensive tactics. . This will be seen in every important function of the IWA. Each section has enormously strengthened every other section in the struggle for + bargaining advantages of benefit to the entire membership. Any account of the major phases of the Union‘s past performance * indicates clearly the underlying struggle for power — power to curb the ruthlessness of an industrial autocracy and power to demand and secure a fair share of the rewards derived from an expanding lumber . This accumulation of power has been necessary because SO omens relations in modern industry are power relations. _ The employers wield power derived from the control of job oppor- tunities; the public through political control exercises power to enforce legislation; and the Union, through collective membership action, “accumulates power to compel recognition of the workers’ rights to , self-respect and a satisfactory economic status. inet hold labor supply when faced with ployment, no union can function effectively ing agency. Some results from the exercise of membership objectives have already e ? i Sn ie ae RS fe eas __ STRONG, DEMOCRATIC UNION been outlined. The international structure of the IWA has increased this power to act on behalf of its members. The IWA record demonstrates that membership unity, which de- fermines power, has resulted from steps to safeguard membership rights scrupulously. Union membership bears a close resemblance to national citizenship; of which indeed it is a part. IWA members-under the Union's Constitution, have rights and duties as well as privileges and responsibilities. What are some of these rights and privileges and what has the IWA done to preserve them? Every IWA member is assured the right to share in the democratic control of the Union’s affairs. This right was insisted upon at the First Constitutional Convention in 1937. It was given further emphasis at the 1941 International Con- vention. A special International Convention, called in 1958 to revise the Constitution, drew on the Union’s experience to embody member- ship control of administration and policy firmly in the Constitution and the by-laws of subsidiary units. As a result of years of deliberation by a representative study committee, the existing District Councils were merged into five regional councils with geographical boundaries. This simplification of union administration was approved by mem- bership referendum. The convention discussion of the revised Con- stitution gave abundant evidence of a determination to maintain membership self-government. The revised Constitution apportioned defined administrative re- sponsibilities at three levels, local, regional and international, in an obvious effort to decentralize control as much as possible and meet economic necessities. __ The principal constitutional safeguards for membership control may be listed as follows: Local Union members elect and instruct their delegates to all policy-making conventions and conferences. All officers are elected and major policy decisions are made by membership referendum. To ensure majority membership decisions at conventions, the delegates may demand a roll-call vote with each delegate voting his proportionate share of the membership represented. Incumbent officers are subject to provisions for the Initiative, Re- call and Referendum upon petition of five per cent of the membership. Strict rules are laid down for charges, trials, penalties and ap- peals, as well as for balloting procedures, to prevent abuses. Responsibilities of officers are clearly defined with provision for observance. The biennial International Convention is the supreme governing authority and is comprised of delegates elected directly by the Local Unions. Annual Regional Conventions determine policy within the regional jurisdictions. Regular membership meetings govern decisions within the local’s jurisdiction as determined by approved by-laws. Each region enjoys autonomy in the control of its negotiations and strike fund. Regional organizing activities are conducted with such degree of international co-ordination as.may be required and mutually agreed upon. International and Regional Executive Boards are constituted of members elected directly by membership. No discrimination in membership privileges by reason of race, color or religion is allowed. The above is not a complete list of safeguards for membership control but it indicates those which are outstanding features of the IWA Constitution. Every IWA member is assured the right to a clean and honest Union. Detailed and audited financial statements are at all times avail- able to the membership. All officials with financial responsibility are bonded. Salaries and expense allowances are. fixed by membership de- cision and bear reasonable relation to the responsibilities assigned. No IWA official drives an air-conditioned Cadillac at the expense of the Union. All officials are required to report on their activities to the mem- bership at regular intervals. Contract demands and commitments must gain membership approval. No “sweetheart agreements” are allowed. “On the job” elected committees and stewards police the enforce- ment of contract provisions. The Union’s leadership stems from such job activities. See “PAST EXPERIENCE” — Page 10