War Policy Cripples Negotiations

1941

At the 1941 convention, five active locals were reported, with
eight sub-locals. At this time wartime regulations began to pinch,
and the Union protested the pegging of wages, which allowed a
bonus for any increase of living costs above five per cent.

Lake Logging and Crofton Export crews were prevented
from taking strike action under wartime regulations, but walked
off the job, finally settling for a 50-cent an hour wage increase,
union agreement, seniority rights, leave of absence rights and the
union shop, the first in the industry.

The July, 1941, Wage Conference decided to step up the
organizational drive and force union agreements under cir-
cumstances which appeared to be favorable.

Local 1-118 reported agreements with Horton Cedar Co. and
McCarters with a $3.00 a week increase.

1942

The Fifth Annual District Convention, held January 3-4,
1942, indicated a distinct change in policy. The reasons were
apparent. In 1939, the Soviet Union had signed a non-aggression
pact with Hitler. In 1941, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. From
that time onward until the close of the war, the Union’s
leadership placed the main emphasis on winning the war against
Fascism and opening a second front in Europe to relieve the
pressure on the Soviet Union. The Union’s slogan was
“Production for Victory.”

Wage increases during the war came mainly as a result of
demands upon the War Labour Board.

The Youbou camps gained the following scale in 1942:
whistle punk, $5.90; chokerman, $5.90; chaser, $6.25; back
rigger, $5.90; scaler, $7.00; rigging slinger, $7.00; head rigger,
$9.76.

Fraser Mill employees registered a vote of 568 for a working
agreement. The IWA won a majority vote as the bargaining agent
and a Fraser Mills Local was proposed. The War Labour Board
granted an increase base rate for day shift of 65 cents and night
shift 70 cents.

An Arbitration Board gave a majority report against a union
agreement in MacMillan Plywood Industries Ltd., Bert Gargrave,
MLA, dissenting. The Union instituted court proceedings against
the Company for refusing to negotiate with the employees.

Youbou Mill won a new scale as follows: boom men, 75c;
head sawyer, $1.50; setter, 85c; edgerman, $1.07’2; head
trimmer man, 98c; re-sawyer, 90c; planer feeders, 70c: yard
pilers, 70c; car loaders, 70c; machinists, 75c to $1.00; car-
penters, 85c; millwrights, 75c to 85c; construction helpers, 75c;
crane operators, 90c.

In the same year, Local 1-357 was granted a charter. Stewart
Alsbury was elected President, and George Mitchell, Secretary.

1943

In 1943, the Sixth Annual District Convention urged
amendments to the ICA Act, and adopted the slogans,
“Production on the home front,” ‘For action of the second front.”
It was reported that wages totalling $1,500,000 had been gained
by the IWA during the last half of 1942.

Due to unconstitutional activities, the District Council was
suspended from the Canadian Congress of Labour and emphatic
protests were made.

The Union called for the establishment of joint labour-
management production committees in all operations and ap-
parently was committed to a new form of the speed-up which
previously had been persistently protested.

An IWA delegation, this year, appeared before the Provincial
Government to urge amendments to the ICA Act. Some of these
were secured later in the year, when unions were assured that a
majority in a bargaining unit would be guaranteed the right to
bargain.

Hillcrest Lumber Co. loggers had transportation trouble, but
the dispute ended when the company granted transportation
until living quarters could be provided.

It was in 1943 that Hammond-Haney-Ruskin-Mission
woodworkers were granted a charter, Local 1-367.

Most serious strike of the year involved 600 loggers on the
Queen Charlottes. It was settled with a victory which won union
recognition, maintenance of the existing wage scale, a grievance
procedure, recognition of a safety committee, seniority rules, 8-
hour day with overtime, same board rates, leave of absence, re-
hiring of employees after layoffs, observance of holidays, and a

“no strike” clause.

The negotiation of an industry-wide contract was discussed
that year with R. V. Stuart Research Ltd., representing the
organized employers. The proposal of a master agreement to
include all operations was submitted to the membership and
approved.

1944

The Seventh Annual District Convention in 1944 approved a
“no strike” pledge. “Win the war” slogans predominated. At that
gathering Local 1-80 claimed the honor of being the largest Local
in the District, and the second largest in the International. Local
1-217 started to forge ahead, when Canadian White Pine was
certified. Under authority of the War Services Act, the Loggers’
Local established its hiring hall with the support of the District
Council. Local 1-405 was granted its charter in 1944.

The District Council rejected the resolution of the Canadian
Congress of Labour which declared the CCF to be the political
arm of labor.

Negotiations for the terms of a master agreement were
opened in 1944 with R. V. Stuart Research Ltd., stating the union
shop as the main issue.

1945

In 1945, the Union approved demands which aimed at the
avoidance of strikes and forfeited any general wage increase. A
demand was made for an extra week’s vacation after five years,
wage rate revision, and a medical health scheme. Night shift
differentials were included. The 44-hour weekwas permitted in
order to speed up war production.

Internal conflict loomed as Organizer Mike Freylinger was
fired by the International for disruptive activities, and the B.C.
District Council instructed its delegates to vote for a pro-
Communist slate at the International Convention. Nigel Morgan,
International Board Member, was nominated as an LPP federal
candidate.

Continued on Page 10

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The Western Canadian Lumber Worker — Special Edition/9