Gary Swann, Port Alberni, writes: Your
article and George Hewison’s analysis of
the IWA strike in the Tribune’s excellent
Dec. 17 issue, left out an important factor in
the strike’s temporary truce.

Certainly the IWA’s high rejection vote
of the Hodgson report and the B.C. Federa-
tion of Labor’s action resolution played an
important role, but the mass picket at non-
union Schoon Timber in Ladysmith was
equally significant.

While Premier Bill Vander Zalm threa-
tened to introduce legislation to force WA
members back to work, hundreds of IWA
Pickets at Schoon Timber were trampling
into the mud copies of court injunctions
designed to prevent them from picketing.

This picket put muscle into the B.C.
Fed’s action resolution. It showed that the
resolution would be carried out.

Mass pickets in defiance of the state don’t
happen overnight. This picket was a culmi-
nation of months of consistent work from
IWA activists who understood the union-
busting significance of contracting-out; who
recognized the determination of the forest
multinationals; and who knew that the
strike couldn’t be won without mobilizing

Credits due
in CSU book

Fred Wilson, Vancouver, writes: In
my review of Against the Tide, (Trib-
une, Dec. 17, 1986) it was suggested
that the publication of this excellent
‘| ‘labor ‘history was the product of a
blood, sweat and tears struggle akin
to that of the history of the Canadian
Seamen’s Union itself. Against the
Tide is an exceptional book not only
because of the outstanding effort of
Jim Green, but especially because of
the collective involvement of the sea-
men who were the makers of that
history.

i For purposes of brevity few names
were mentioned and I gave much of
: the credit to the organizer of the sea-
men’s history project, Stan Wingfield.

I have heard from Stan since and
while appreciative of the Tribune’s
review, he was concerned that some
others who played a key role in the
production of the book be named.

Notable among those is Tom
McGrath, well known in Vancouver
as the former president of the Sea-
men’s local of the CBRT, Local 400,
and now-a CBRT national vice-
president in Ottawa. In Stan’s words,
“he was from the start the one who
helped organize the three committees
of the CSU history project and hung
in there when the going got rough. It
was in Vancouver that much of the
Material and funds were raised,

_ thanks to McGrath.”

Three others that Stan considered
€xceptionally important to the project
were Sheila Linke of CBRT, Liz Par-
tington of ILWU and Geoff Meggs,
editor of the Fisherman who edited
Green’s manuscript. ; ;

Many others that could be cited
here are listed in the foreword to the
As a postcript to the review of °
_ Against the Tide, I would also highly
| Tecommend that the book not only be -
| Tead but also. be actively promoted
_ “roughout the labor movement. :

These activists spent countless hours
organizing picnics, demonstrations, rallies,
blockades, occupations, writing (some pub-
lished in the Tribune), developing briefs and
petition campaigns. They fought for a
higher level of membership participation.
The high rejection vote and mass picket
have proven them correct.

This is another important lesson to be
understood from the IWA strike: in today’s
world no union can afford to go into strug-

Job action was critical to IWA pact

the membership to more activity than three
hours a week on the picket line.

gle and leave it’s membership on the side-
lines. The entire creative militancy of the
union membership needs to be tapped.

The recent action of the forest multi-
nationals, who continue to introduce con-
tracting-out, indicates that the lessons of
trade union unity and solidarity, as well as
membership mobilization may well have to
be applied again and soon.

In the second half, the forest multi-
nationals should be greeted with the com-
bined might of all three forest unions,
working as one.

series of labor art posters
highlight workers’ issues

Bill Darnell, chair, Vancouver Centennial
Labor History Project, writes: I am writing
to you on behalf of the Centennial Labor
History Committee. Our Labor Arts Poster
set, a series of six original artists’ designs, is
now ready for distribution. These posters
are a striking visual record of issues vital to
working people and their organizations. We
have received generous support for our pre-
vious centennial year activities (labor his-
tory postcards, calendar, walking tour and
Labor Day activities) and we are asking for
your help in publicizing and distributing
these poster sets, our last initiative.

Each poster was designed by a Van-
couver artist, selected by jury competition.
Their fees were sponsored by labor organi-
zations and the Vancouver and District
Labor Council is providing mail and con-
signment order distribution. Because these
posters were designed as a series and
because .of the necessity to. keep volunteer
distribution tasks within reasonable limits,
these posters are only available as a set.

Each poster is approximately 18 inches
by 24 inches. The prices for the set of six is
$40 for employed, $25 for unemployed and
$75 for unions and other organizations.
Postage and handling is $5 for up to two sets
and $10 for three or more. Please make
cheques payable to VCLC/Posters and
mail to: Vancouver and District Labor
Council, 206, 33 East 8th Ave., Vancouver,
VST 1R5. (Copies are also available at
People’s Co-op Book and other bookstores
— Ed.)

Proceeds from sales will be held in a labor
history arts fund by the VDLC. This fund

«

REMEMBER

PACIFIC TRIBUNE
READERSHIP CONFERENCE
Friday, Jan. 16
2681 E. Hastings St.
Refreshments & snacks
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

~ RANKIN
&
COMPANY

Barristers & Solicitors

4th Floor, 195 Alexander St.
Vancouver, B.C. V6A IN8

682-2781

Offers a bread range of
legal services including:

Personal Injury & Insurance claims
‘ Real Estate & Conveyancing
Divorce & Family Law
Labour Law
Criminal Law
’ Estates & Wills

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mf

COMPARABLE.
WORTH ?

will be used to sponsor further labor arts or
history projects, designed to continue the
work of building greater public awareness
of the issues, public achievements and his-
tory of working men and women and their
organizations. The Vancouver and District
Labor Council will call for submissions (by
either individuals or organizations) and
selection will be by an independent jury
under the direction of the VDLC.

People’s
Co-op —
Bookstore

Annual Sale
Jan. 19 to 31, 1987

-e Hardcovers e
25% off lowest price

_e Paperbacks
» 20% off
_ New Releases
: . Children‘s .
Imported books and periodical:
~ Gift Certificates
©1391 Commercial Drive ©
Vancouver, B.C. V5L-3X5 -
, Telephone: 253-6442.

Classified
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COMING EVENTS

JAN. 19 — Meeting to initiate preparatory
committee for the World Congress of Women
(Moscow). Family activity room, Britannia
Community Centre, 8 p.m. All welcome. For
info. 254-9797.

JAN. 25 — Robbie Burns Peace Concert and
Dinner. 5 p.m. Sunnyside Hall, 154 St. and 18
Ave., Surrey. $7. Under 12 free. Phone:
536-6065. 941-3913, 531-0106. Sponsored
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FOR SALE

STEEL RADIAL SNOW TIRES 165SR13,
used only 500 km, on Lada rims, $130 obo. Cliff
at 327-5203.

SHARED ACCOMMODATION

ONE ROOM in bottom suite of house in PNE
area for female student. Fully furnished, desk
and piano available. Just bring a bed. $200 all
included. Call Ruth 5 p.m. to midnight
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NOTICE

COQUITLAM CLUB bazaar raffle scheduled
to be drawn Dec. 1, 1986 will be postponed
until Burns Night. ’

COMMERCIAL
GRAMMA PUBLICATIONS. Complete print-
ing services. Brochures, menus, leaflets, etc. A
union shop. 1595 W. 3rd Ave. Vancouver.
Hoursz Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 733-6822.
ELECTRICAL PLUMBING, appliance repairs.
Don Berg 255-7287.
GENERAL INSURANCE, home, business,
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VICTORIA
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LEGAL SERVICES

RANKIN, BOND, McMURRAY. Barristers
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682-3621.

DIRECTORY
COMMUNIST PARTY OF CANADA offices
located at 102, 2747 E. Hastings St. Vancouver.
Phone 254-9836. Office hours: 9:30-12 noon;
1-5 p.m. Mon to Fri. For information on political
issues or assistance in political activity.

HALLS FOR RENT

RUSSIAN PEOPLE’S HOME — Available for
rentals. For reservations phone 254-3430.

UKRAINIAN CANADIAN CULTURAL
CENTRE — 805 East Pender St. Vancouver.
Available for banquets, weddings, meetings.
Phone 254-3436.

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PACIFIC TRIBUNE, JANUARY 14, 1987 ¢ 11