Fight for 17-cent raise, keep 40-hour week, says LPP labor committee British Columbia woodworkers must stick together to win a |7-cent increase this spring and keep the 40-hour week, declares a statement issued in leaflet form this week by the labor committee of the Labor-Progressive party. Published “in the interests of strong, united organization among B.C. woodworkers,” the leaflet, dis- tributed in camps and mills, says: “One thing stands out clearly in the woodworking industry ne- gotiations: the bosses are out to carry through a sweeping attack against wages, hours and condi- tions. The proposals of Stuart Re- search to return to the 48-hour week is the thin edge. of the wedge to restore the 48-hour week for the whole industry and later for all B.C. workers. It is also aimed to divide the woodworkers, just as the proposal for four sup- plementary agreements instead of one is aimed to sectionalize the industry. “Divide and rule—that is the bosses’ game, and the workers must stick together to defeat it. “The bosses are not content with | | waiting for the outcome of ne- gotiations cr conciliation. They have already begun. their attack. In many operations on the coast the boss loggers have put on prés- sure for the 48-hour week. In New Westminster, at Canadian Forest Products Pacific Vaneer plant, the attempt to chisel on hours ran up against the united, militant opposition of the workers, “Speed-up is the order of the day. On every hand the com- panies are openly violating the contract, the mest recent ex- ample being the North Shofe Lumber Company, where work- ers were fired in open violation of.the seniority provisions of the contract. These attacks are not accidental, They are part of a well-planned offensive by big business, with the full backing of the Canadian Manufacturers’ Association. nt a Fight for pensions, ‘These determined-looking women were among the 200odd people who jammed a San Francisco court room where consti- tutionality of the California pension law was being contested. Adopted at the last election, the sons from pension rolls. law drops 63 and sodgle: -per- Miners’ peace banners are seized by RCMP DRUMHELLER RCMP seized three peace banners from miners marching in the| ” May Day parade here, just as the parade was ling up. The con- fiscated banners bore the slogans: “ ‘Fight for Peace,” “Ban the Bomb,” and “Workers of the World Unite.” Ignoring the RCMP'’s “war on peace” more than 500 men and women marched in the parade and other hundreds attended the rally addressed by John Brown, secre- tary of subdistrict one and two, United Mine Workers. Brown lab- elled the police action “shameful.” HILLCREST Marching behind the Michel- Natal 85-piece band, hundreds of coal miners and their families from Fernie, Michel-Natal, Coleman, - Blairmore and Belview celebrated E. H. SKEELES Transfer & Fuel CEDAR, B.C. May Day by parading through Hillcrest and holding a rally at the ball diamond. UMW members carried banners reading, “Vote for the four-day week with the same take-home pay.” Mayor Enoch Williams of Blairmore chaired the open-air meeting, which heard speeches from union leaders Angus J. rison and Edward Boyd. A resolution condemning the Steel raid at Trail” was passed aERUESURY. : Mor- | “The companies’ provocations are all aimed to take the eyes of woodworkers off the main ques- tion—a 17-cent wage _ increase. Woodworkers need this 17-cent boost. There has not been a wage increase for two years. “Meanwhile cost of living has risen steadily. Today it is higher than ever before—and still going up. The cost of living index on food stands at over 200. Added to all this is the fact that the log- ging end of the industry has suf- fered longer lay-offs this year, which has seriously lowered an- nual earnings. “Yes, wages is the main ques- tion, And what's more, the bosses can afford to pay, because pro- fits are sky high. In 1949 H. R. MacMillan made net profits of $5,771,605; Canadian Western Lumber Company made $2,409,- _ 488; and Seaboard Lnmber Com- pany made $5,028,466. There you have it. Three companies made a combined profit of $13,209,554. > That ain’t hay! “United action is the key to vic- tory. Woodworkers can win 17 cents this year. The attempts of the bosses ,to return to long hours and open shop conditions can be stopped. But this’ requires unity of al] woodworkers and a militant, fighting policy. “No honest trade unionist is happy about the present division between the IWA and the WIUC. The woodworkers look toward the day when they will have one united, militant union in the in- dustry. The welfare of the work- ers demands this. The Labor-Pro- gressive party fully supports this aim.,and we will do all in our power to help the woodworkers unite, “In the méantime, however, the way must be found, now, in the present struggle, to unite all wood- workers to win 17 cents and to hold the 40-hour week. The bosses must not.be allowed to capitalize on divisions. Because of the ur- gent need for unity, the Labor- Progressive party welcomes the recent statement of the WIUC na- tional board calling for full co- operation on every level between IWA and WIU memberships. We | Wea the growing signs of joint action in fighting the boss. That’s the only way forward. —“To- bring victory in the present struggle the LPP proposes the following course of action to all woodworkers: . —“Keep your eye on the ‘Vi-cent wage demand. Resist ¢very at- tempt to sidetrack this main is- sue, no matter who? tries it. —“Demand that your leaders keep all woodworkers fully informed of developments in the current negotiations. Insist that prepar- ations for strike action be pushed more energetically and that ac- tion committees be set up every- where. — — “Steps should be taken to ac quaint the entire B.C. labor movement with developments ‘and to rally the full support of all unions and citizens behind the woodworkers’ demands. —“Where there are IWA and WIUC members in a single op- eration, local forms of joint ac- tivities should be established so that the full weight of all wood- workers is brought to bear “against the boss.” “STANTON Barristers, Solicitors, Notavies SUITE 515, FORD BUILDING, 193 E. HASTINGS ST. |. (Corner Main & Hastings Sts.) MArine 5746 & MUNRO MORGAN WIRES GOV'T Demand for immediate emer- gency measures to prevent grave disaster ‘from hitting the Fraser Valley, now threatened by a worse flood menace than in 1948, was voiced by the pro- vincial executive of the Labor- Progressive party this week. ‘Urs FOR NIGEL MORGAN ‘We still have time’ Urges joint action on B.C. flood threat flood threat would constitute a -| criminal neglect of duty. We \ In a telegram endorsed by the meeting and sent over the signature of provincial leader Nigel Morgan to provincial and federal authorities and those municipalities affected, the LPP called for immediate action, “A calamity trivalling the Win- nipeg disaster is now in the making,” the telegram read. “Nothing but prompt, united ac- tion by all governments can save the day. Your govern- ment’s reports warm of grave dangers. In face of facts, fail- ure to take immediate action to strengthen dykes, arrange adequate dyke guairds, and or- ganize -full battle plans against still have time; there are plenty in need of jobs and a job here which will save B.C. taxpayers money. We urge convening of joint meeting of all government authorities to cope with prob- lems and prevent: another un- necessary and costly disaster like 1948.” IWA man fined $1000 for returning to U.S. SEATTLE A fine of $1000 has been imposed here on Pete Nelson, Everett, Wash., IWA official, for retuming to the United States last October after U.S. Immigration officials had barred his return from Canada. Federal Judge Lloyd L. Black declined to impose jail sentences as suggested by the U.S. attorney’s office and immigration authorities. Nelson has until May 26 to pay the $1000. On that date Judge Black will formally pronounce sen- tence. Judge Black is remembered in the U.S. Northwest as the chief prosecutor in the Everett massacre frameup. In that case the govern- ment sought to railroad 100 TWw members to the gallows. ; In sentencing Nelson, Judge Black went far beyond issues in the case to assert that he felt the lumber union leader deserved a prison sentence and deportation to Norway, the land a left at the age of two, Judge Black threw in allusions to alleged “dual interests” of Nel- son. He predicted that it would take longer to deport Nelson “than those who wish him out of as country would like.” Nelson faces ceedings on an deportation pro- ‘iNegal entry” EAST END 24-HOUR E SERVICE $11 FE. HASTINGS. ST. charge. His application for citi- - zenship has long been pending. ~ He has lived with his family in Everett for many years. .Brother’s Bakery Specializing in Sweet and Sour Rye Breads 842 E. HASTINGS ST. PA. 8419 UNION HOUSE ZENITH CAFE 105 E. Hastings Street VANCOUVER, B.C. Hastings Steam Baths OPEN DAY amd NIGHT Expert Masseurs in Ailtendance ‘Vancouver, B.C. HA. 0340 766 E. Hastings Highest Prices Paid for DIAMONDS, OLD GOLD Other Valuable Jewellery STAR LOAN CO. Bet. 1905” 719 Robson St. — MA, 2622 PACIFIC 9588 FERRY MEAT | MARKET © 119 EAST HASTINGS VANCOUVER, B.C. FREE DELIVERY - Supplying F ishing Boats Our Specialty Jack Cooney, Mgr. Nite Calls GL. 1740L PACIFIC +TRIBUNE—MAY 12, 1950—PAGE 2