2nd Issue December, 1961 WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER AFL-CIO Convention Marks New Labour Milestone The recent AFL-CIO convention in Miami Beach, Fla., marked a great stride forward for the Jabour movement on this continent, stated IWA Regional President Joe Morris in a report to the Union. The policies and programs fashioned during the five day session will bring a fresh resurgence of strength and unity to trade unions on the continent, he declared. The Regional President based his conclusions on the following steps taken by the 980 delegates in attend- ance: @ “Organizing the unorganized” will be the immediate goal of top- level conferences. The way was paved for co-operative organizing campaigns by affiliated unions. Par- ticular attention will be given to the necessary assistance for unions responsible for organizing the larger sections of unorganized workers. @ Overwhelming approval was given a new constitutional plan for the settlement of internal disputes. This plan is based on mediation, de- termination by an impartial umpire, and if necessary appeal to the Execu- tive Council. Sanctions will be im- posed on non-complying unions. @ Former affiliates. expelled in 1957 on findings of corrupt leader- ship were advised that by satisfying the Federation they are in compli- ance with its constitution, rules, by- laws, standards, and policies they may be re-admitted to affiliation. @ A broad civil rights program was adopted which will strengthen the Federation’s machinery for en- forcement of its non-discrimination policy. A new feature of this pro- gram is the authority conferred on the Civil Rights Committee to in- itiate complaints of violations on the part of unions, and to refer unre- solved ees to the Executive Council. @ Higher wages and_ shorter hours were set as bargaining goals to help eliminate mass unemploy- ment and increase buying power to stimulate the economy to a faster rate of growth ‘@ The Federation’s political action campaign will be stepped up to secure the election of an addition- al number of liberally-minded Sena- tors and Congressmen in 1962. @ A number of resolutions called for strong government policies to get the economy “off the roller- coaster of frequent recessions and aborted recoveries”. The conven- tion’s program will be urged upon Congress following a conference scheduled for January 22 to urge acceptance of labour’s proposals. @ The delegates backed a completely revised trade program with a new emphasis on expanding two-way trade. @ Organized labour’s support for large-scale economic and technical assistance for underdeveloped nations was renewed. This called for a new shift from scattered projects to the promotion of sound long-range devel- opment programs. @ An appeal was made to all nations to renew efforts to achieve a system of disarmament’ with adequate controls and inspection. It was stressed that the resources so released should be devoted to a ‘massive effort” to raise living standards everywhere. @ Emphatic protest was made against employer-led attempts to gain further restrictive labour legislation. work” laws will be intensified. The campaign against “right-to- @ Housing, education and health resolutions indicated labour’s urgent desire for long over-due reforms Commenting on the deliberations, the TWA officer stated that they completely refuted the ugly rumours of disunity which had been circulated by the American press. The two hundred resolutions adopted indicated clearly that the Jabour movement was continuing faithful service to the workers as well as to the free world. B.C. Federation Brief Seeks Action To Relieve Current Unemployment The need for immediate action to relieve the unemployment situation was high lighted in the brief recently presented to the Pro- vincial Cabinet by the Executive Council of the B.C. Federation of Labour. Vigorous and sustained efforts to ensure that there is work for all who want it, and to rehabilitate workers left destitute by tech- nological changes was urged. Among other proposals relating to unemployment, the Federation’s brief proposed: 1. That a special study be made to investigate the plight of young job seekers (age 17 to 24 in par- ticular), in order to help resolve their predicament. The forma- tion of a special Legislative Committee to report its findings every few months is also worthy of consideration, A modified program of for- mal and vocational training, with participants receiving financial assistance during the training eriod. Provincial Government participa- tion-in the Winter Works Incen- tive Program, to the extent of paying 50% of the cost to muni- cipalities, A co-operative Provincial and Federal Government program tr w ~ to provide additional funds for social capital including schools, university facilities, technical schools, chronic hospitals, low rental housing, senior citizens housing, forest access roads, pro- vincial park and recreational de- velopments and other necessary and desirable projects. rrogant Employers In submitting a demand for the repeal of Bills 43 and 42, the Fed- eration’s Council declared — ‘“Em- ployers have grown more arrogant and unapproachable knowing that they are in a more favoured legal position and are constantly making a mockery of collective bargain- ing”. “The overall effect of the legis- lation has been to cripple the trade union movement of the province and to render it less effective in dealing with employers, thus depriv- ing many. workers of an effective voice in resolving their problems”. The brief covered the full range of the resolutions adopted at the last convention of the B.C. Federa- tion of Labour. th Annual Delega v7 1, ‘at listen intently to one of the asin speaking Local Meeting held December 20-21, in the They are Tete: President, Bill Wilson; Financial Secretary, it, Jimmy Ray. OFFICIALS of the Retail, Wholesale & Depertmant Store Union examine the vast quantity of canned goods piled on tables in the auditorium at Woodworkers’ House which were donated -by firms around the City in aid of the strikers at Taylor, Pearson & Carson Limited. Supreme Court Upholds I.W.A. Power-House Jurisdiction IWA certification in ten Vancouver plants has been upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada. The decision ends the attempt of the Operating Engineers to claim jurisdiction over eighty-five power- house employees in IWA-certified mills. In August, 1960, the Labour Re- lations Board refused to certify the Operating Engineers as bargaining agent for the power-house employees instead of the IWA. At the hearings, the Operating Engineers’ application was opposed by the IWA, as well as Forest Industrial Relations Ltd. The Operating Engineers took the case to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and lost the case again. However, upon appeal to the B.C. Court of Appeal the decision was reversed. The IWA joined the Labour Re- lations Board and FIR in a joint appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada and won jurisdiction. Alex Macdonald MLA appeared for the Union before the Ottawa tribunal. International Elections All of the incumbent officers of the IWA International Union were re-elected by membership ballot and have been installed for another two-year term. International President; Claude Ballard as International ist Vice-President, Ronald F. Roley as International 2nd Vice-Presi- dent, and William Botkin as In- ternational Secretary-Treasurer. The International Officers were installed at the December meet- ing of the International Execu- tive Board by Harvey Nelson, President of Western States Re- gional Council No. 3. DAYTON SHOE MANUFACTURING CO. VANCOUVER, B.C. 2250 EAST HASTINGS ST. HUNTING FOR THE BIG ONES? GET ON THE TRACK WITH DAYTONS THE BEST BOOTS MONEY CAN BUY TRACKS ~ ~ - Yea, nee DAY TOUS! (B.C.) LTD.