s ely Hi THE WESTERN CANADIAN j le ta , f] IN SRY Incorporating 7he B.C. Lumberworker Official Publication of the Jateraatienal Woedwarkers of rémercea Regional Council: No. 1 VOL. XXVII No. 12 oe June 15th Boost Rewards IWA For 1959 Struggle Wage rates in the coast lumber industry automatically rose ten cents an hour across the board on June 15th last under the terms of the two-year agreement secured by the IWA in 1959. The contract signed last Sep- tember after a 70-day strike has now raised the coast base rate from $1.72 to $1.92. Tradesmen also received an additional wage increase of ten cents an hour at that time. The average wage -rate in the plywood section of the industry has also been raised as a result of the job evaluation program agreed upon in the 1959 settle- ment, and now implemented. Deserved Increase When interviewed on the mat- ter, Regional President Joe Morris stated: “J know that this second wage increase during the present contract period is wel- comed by the members of our Union. It assures to 27,000 workers and their families a justly- deserved improvement in their living standards. This 20-cent-an- hour wage increase together with other benefits made possible by the strike settlement of 1959, such as the plywood job evaluation program, rounds out another im- portant advance in the Union's unremitting effort to safeguard and better the living standards of jts members. Action Vindicated Subsequent developments have completely vindicated the course of action taken by the Union in 1959. The united and determined struggle waged by the members of the Union achieved results which not only offset attempts to weaken existing contract terms but also secured substantial im- provements. Contrary to predic- tions made at the time the in- dustry has not been priced out of its export markets. The present two-year contract has provided the opportunity to attend to other important obliga- tions. An all-out effort now being made to raise the wage standards of our members in the Interior of the province. This year we will also give attention to our legislative needs. is No Benevolence A recent statement, presumably originating with the employers attempted to convey the impres- sion that the wage increase efiec- tive June 15th last, may re- garded as an act of benevolence on the part of the employers. Our memories are not as short as sug- gested. Every contract benefit has been won as a direct result of the Union's fight for justice. Without be this organized . and persistent battling by the Union for their rights, lumber workers would never have improved their condi- tions. The present base rate of $1.92 an hour is 97 cents better than the base rate paid in 1947, The greater strength of organization made possible since 1949 has been mainly responsible for wage in- creases totalling 84 cents an hour obtained since that time. See “REWARDS” Page 2 IWA REGIONAL President, Joe VANCOUVER, B.C. INSIDE Morris, left, and IWA International President, A. F. Hartung, attending Page the April Conference of the Inter- Newfie 3 national Federation of Building and ‘ Woodworkers in Montecatina, Italy. Editorial _. 4 Safety 2. 5 LISTEN TO 5¢ PER COPY 2nd Issue June, 1960 DEDICATING THE BUILDING fo the service of the Union’s members, United States Senator, Wayne Morse | Officially opened the new headquarters of IWA Regional Council No. 1, and Local 1-217, May 31. On the Senator's left are Rey. J. W. Melvin, D.D.; [WA International President, A. F. Hartung; Regional President, Joe Morris. When the CCF were re- turned for the fifth straight time as the government of Saskatchewan, a government- sponsored medical care pro- gram headed the list of pledges to the electorate. What did CCF Premier T. C. Douglas have in mind when he campaigned on a _ platform of health insurance? What can the people of Saskatchewan, and eventually the people of Canada, expect? : Based on the assumption that the health of many Saskatchewan residents was endangered by the high costs of medical care, the CCF proposed to introduce a new system of paying medical bills. No one should suffer hecause he can’t afford the best medical attention available, Mr. Douglas maintained throughout the campaign. Five Principles The CCF medical care plan is based on five principles. The de- tails will be worked out now that the voters have given the govern- ment a renewed mandate. ° THE PREPAYMENT PRINCIPLE — People “re- spond better” to a prepaid pro- gram, says Premier Douglas. Some portion of the cost of See “PLAN” Page 2 sad foodworkers Plan Action On International Scale Problems demanding world-wide action and which have a direct and vital significance for woodworkers in Canada and the United States were given a penetrating analysis from the workers’ point of view by the 200 delegates attend- ing the April conference of the International Federation of 7:00 p.m. Thursday | Building and Woodworkers. This feature of the conference Was emphasized in ‘his report to the Union by IWA Regional President Joe Morris, who with International President A. F. Hartung represented the IWA at the sessions of the IFBWW held recently in Montecatina, Italy. For the first time in the history of the Federation, the Canadian viewpoint was expressed, and a Canadian representative (Joe Morris) clected to a post of executive responsibility. Economic Blocs The probable effect on employ- ment in Europe and North America as a result of the group- ing of six European countries (the Inner Six) in a common trading bloc, and the “outer seven” into the European Free Trade Association was canvassed with some concern, After lengthly dis- cussion a mutually satisfactory ‘basis for co-operation hetween all trade unions concerned was de- veloped. Announcement of the retirement of the Federation's President, Sir Richard Coppeck, who is also President of the Amalgamated Union of Building Trades in Great Britain, was received with deep regret, because of his many years of efficient service to the Federation. His successor in office, elected at Montecatina was Belgian representative Smets. Upholsterers’ Union representa- tive Rota was named the Ameri- can representative on the Execu- tive Council with TWA Regional President Joe Morris as deputy. See “ACTION” Page 6 International Unions Defended Canadian Labour Congress President Claude Jodoin in a fresh defence of international unions told the Toronto branch of the American Club that most internationals spend more in Canada than they collect in Canadian dues. He said anti-labour elements were busy claiming dollars of Canadian workers are being used to line the pockets of U.S. labour leaders. “These people say Canadian workers have been dragooned into submitting to U.S. labour bosses. Nothing could be further from the truth.” See “JODOIN” Page 6 Ist and Last Thursday 6:00 p.m.