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THE PEOPLE

Published every Wednesday by The People Publishing Co., Room 104, Shelly Building, 119 West Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C. Telephone: MAnne 6929.

Epiror Manacinc Eprror

Hat GRIFFIN arisen Seen At PARKIN Busnness MANAGER MINERVA COOPER

Six Months—$1.00 One Year—$2.00 Printed at Broadway Printers Limited, 151 Esst 8th Arenue, Vancouver, B.C.

‘All Labor Supports Them -

Eee final act in the three months old court dispute over the affairs of the Boilermakers Union was played out this week and now the issue will be solved at its logical source —among the men in the shipyards.

Much credit is due the membership of the union and their shop stewards’ committee for their handling of fhe situation to date. Over their protests and against the best interests of labor, the hangdog group that have been attempting for months to subvert the basic principles of unionism—the right of demo- cratic control by themselves—dragged the case before the courts. A majority of the membership were convinced there was nothing to be gained and much to be lost by such a step. They were right on both counts. But because they were sincere in their desire to straighten out the issue with a mini- mum of dispute, they submitted to arbitration before the courts. ®

As was expected, nothing was settled. Now the issue is back before the membership for a decision.

“What that decision must be is as clear now as it was in the beginning—that the Boilermakers’ Union must be allowed to decide its own affairs democratically without interference from outsiders. They want no more of McAuslane and his little group of lieutenants. They want no more action before the courts: They want to be left alone to elect their own lead- ership, to conduct their own affairs, to get on with the job of producing ships along with their brother unionists in the yards. And they intend to do this if it means driving the McAuslaneites completely out of the labor movement, where, in fact, they already belong.

Actually, what will be decided within the next few days will have its effect on the labor movement across Canada. For the issue here is one of fundamental trade union rights. Suc- cess will mean a sharp blow to all those anti-labor elements both within and without the labor movement who are con- stantly seeking to destroy the unity of the workers. And the best wishes and full support of all honest unionists will go to the Boilermakers in whatever move they may make.

Continued

Living Costs And Wages

Second, full study by the trade unions of the system of incentive wages based on an over-all increase in pro- duction throughout industry as a whole, with a view to developing a campaign to bring the incentive wage sys- tem into effect. This would have the double effect of, first, greatly increasing production, as it has already done in Britain, and second, of meeting rising living costs.

Such moves would not be out of line with labor’s po- sition under the wage-freezing regulations and its genuine desire to let nothing stand in the way of full support of the war. Labor accepted the principle of wage-freezing only where it could be shown that wages were high enough to maintain a decent standard of living, and because it was assured that prices would also remain stationary. Here in Vancouver the latter is far from the case. To the average worker, it would seem that “ceilings” have applied

only to wages—that prices have been allowed to seek any level.

Labor is fully justified, then, in demanding higher pay, both in the form of cost-of-living bonuses and incentive

wages. To fail to take such action will be to hinde® the battle for production.

Because logs are not brought to tidewater, or ships launched in the sea, by men who can’t afford to eat the necessary foods, or who are worrying because their fam-

uUies are not getting the right kind of nourishment. gee

Rationing and the W ar |

By AL PARKIN

A FEW days ago national war services officials announced a plan to transfer men now in the armed forces back into the logging industry of BC to partially overcome a very serious drop in lumber production. On almost the same day in another government department at Ottawa, outlines of the new meat rationing regulations were announced.

Wow the officials of these two departments may not have known it, but there was a very strong connection between the two moves. For if the Rationing Board fails to amend their de- cision to allow only two pounds of meat per week to eyery Ca- nadian, regardless of the type of work being performed, the re- sultant drop in production in all industries will more than offset any move to recruit more men for war work.

The logging industry has been specifically referred to because of all industries in Canada, logging as carried on here at the Coast demands the greatest physical ef- fort. For those who have worked in the woods—and the writer is one—there can be no argument on that statement. That is why the news of the two pounds per week ration was greeted with such con- sternation by working logger and employer alike.

Their reaction was summed up by Nigel Morgan, executive board member of the International Woodworkers of America, just re- turned this week from Vancouver Island, where he attended union meetings in nine of the major logging operations.

Declared Morgan: “The meat rationing question has provoked intense resentment among log- gers. They insist that again the absence of any labor representa- tion on such government boards has allowed some Ottawa official, completely ignorant of industrial problems, to take a step that will result in sharply curtailing production.” <

He referred to the fact that the latest slogan in the camps is “no meat—no production.” This did not mean, he said, that the log- gers will refuse to work unless the meat ration is increased. It simply meant that it will be im- possible for them to carry on their arduous occupation without an adequate supply of this energy food.

“We feel very strongly about these absurd proposals and will meet with local Wartime Prices and Trade Board officials immedi- ately to lodge a protest similar to that already made by the BC Log- gers Association, whose stand we endorse. There are Many jobs in the woods so physically arduous

that meat is a prime necessity. In most camps meat is served at all three meals. Officials of the rationing board must be made to see this—must be made to see that special allowance will have to be made for certain industrial categories. If they fail to heed, we warn them now that a situation will result that will critically slow up production of vital timber products.”

What applies to logging applies almost equally as seriously to a whole number of other important war industries in Canada. It is

patently absurd to expect that -

workers in heavy occupations, such as shipbuilding, steel] manu- facturing, or mining, can get along with the same food ration as, for example, a stenographer doing the lightest of work.

This fact has already been rec- ognized- by other countries. Great Britain has for years allowed workers in certain industries extra rations. So has the Soviet Union and United States. Just last week the US government granted loggers in Washington and Oregon special food allow- ance, with particular reference to meat. Assurances were given that “adequate allowances” would be made for the more arduous oc- cupations. Eyen Hitler Germany grants special rations to its war workers, has done in fact since before the war.

Ration Board officials take refuge behind their so-called nu- trition experts, who are supposed to have declared that two pounds of meat per week is adequate in all cases. There are many work- ers in ‘Vancouver today who would like to put those same “ex- perts” to work for eight hours on the end of a bucking saw, or hanging onto a pounding rivet gun. They believe from that there would be some hasty revi- sions of nutrition lists.

The governing consideration-in such a question should be, of course, the effect it will have on war production. There is over- whelming evidence that the pro- posed rationing system will be definitely harmful to production. Since that is the case, fovern- ment officials would be well ad- vised to make the needed changes now, before the actual effect of the proposals creates further ob- stacles to an all-out war effort.

Give Blood and Sweat

Members of the International Fur and Leather Workers Union (CIO) continue to give blood to save lives of men on the batilefield. Above, union member Jack Schneider signs up as other members of his union await their turn.

royal assent. For some pe

who made the amendments

~SHORT JABS”

by OV Bill

Change 3 HE effects of the amendn to the ICA Act are begin’ to show already—were alr) showing in fact before the had become law by receiving

they have acted like quick — ing poison. They are the br

cessary.

The outstanding change to ~ has taken place at Trail w the show-window company u has been functioning nicely the Consolidated for a quarte a century. Sweet and hon words about- loyal and ur standing workers and plea relations, etc., etc., were br east from the office of the ~ solidated during these twe five years and they may 7 fooled some of the bosses they did not fool many worl

The grave is generally not until the corpse is ready tr placed in it, but the ICA | first dug the grave and the cc was provided after—though much after in this case.

Obituary! .

N the 23rd of March,

same day on which Sir ward Beatty, the best dre bachelor in Canada, passed in chips, notices posted at Trail nounced the passing of the w men’s Cooperative have

The death may not have

graceful but there was no dying kick, which accordin: the story books is supposei accompany the death throes.

If there is any angle of death that should bring reg to the Trail workers, it is memory of the death of Gi Goodwin, shot and killed ! birelinge of the Canadian bo Ginger organized the Trail ¥. ers into the Mine, Mill and S$ ter Workers’ Union during last war.

All the forces of the Cor dated were organized to sr that union and they succe in the strike of 1917. It was ~ that that was their purpose when the union was wrecked granted the demands of the s ers—the 8hour day for the chanics and the chain gane

Old-timers in the labor m ment know that the killin: Ginger Goodwin was a direct come of the strike, vengeanc the CMA, for daring to show Trail workers how to better » standard of life.

There is a monument to memory today in Cumber There should be another on hill at Trail. Let us hope ¢ will be soon. There may be the company union, with the amendment, has been snuffec and the star of a real unic rising. ~

Placed! EVERAL workers were ing with one of their gai his hotel bedroom.

Their topic was the state ¢ fairs in the local shipyards. individual who had been ca a great deal of disruption ir of the unions was mentione name.

“What do you know about bird?” asked one of the boys. of the others answered: “W don’t know much about him sSonally, except that he was i: out of the Communist party

“That’s enough for me,” the questioner, “That places |