September 19, 1942

THE B.C.

LUMBER WORKHR

Page Five

IWA Protests Proposed ‘Labor Battalions’

LABOR CONFERENCE HELD IN VICTORIA

, VICTORIA, B.C——More than 80 trade unionists, representing 50 labor organiza- tions, gathered here recently at a trade union legislative conference called by the Vancouver Island Joint Labor Conference to discuss wartime problems and seek

amendments to legislation regarded ‘as against labor's interests.

Many important resolutions were passed. Among them was the demand that the B.C. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act be amended to make it compulsory for an employer to bargain collectively with officers or agents of a union with which the majority of the employees belong, regardless of date of formation of the union,

To promote a greater war effort, dele- gates issued a call for greater unity in the ranks of labor, without regard to af- filiation. The conference also emphasized the need for labor's cooperation in for- ‘warding ideas for post-war rehabilitation, Opposition was voiced to a certain section of the Unemployment Insurance Act, which, delegates felt, injured labor by de- priving those participating in a labor dis- pute from enjoying the benefits of the plan.

The conference called on the Do- minion government to lend its support to a move for a second front and asked that labor's part in that action be facili- tated through representation on war commissions, boards and similar bodies.

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he conference urged immediate re- lease of all anti-fascists and lifting of the ban on anti-fascist and working class organizations and publications.

Amendments were urged to the Work- men's Compensation Act, asking that all occupations be covered by the Act, abol- ishing the three-day waiting period and payment of workmen from the time of the accident.

In answer to proposals of a committee headed by R. J. Filberg, Bruce Farris and R. V. Stuart, representing the B.C. logging and sawmill opera- tors, officers of the IWA B.C. District Council last week forwarded a letter

to Prime Minister Mackenzie King, Elliott Little, and Timber Controller

National Selective Service Director | A. S. Nicholson, protesting the pro-

posal of “labor battalions” to solve the problem of manpower shortage in

the lumber industry.

Pointing out that the very phrase “labor battalions” has an ugly sound, reminiscent of enchained Europe, the IWA letter reiterated its pledge to any program which will bring about the speedy defeat of Hitlerism.

“We say this,” the letter continued, “if labor battalions of troops, might bring about maximum production of desperately needed lumber, we of the International Woodworkers of Amer- ica would swallow our natural repug- nancé to such methods and would stand with that program, no matter what bit- ter sacrifices must be ours.

“But against such proposals, we speak with a united voice, born through years’ of experience in B.C’s most hazardous industry, that maximum lumber produc- tion cannot be so achieved. The forming of army labor battalions cannot solve the problems of lumber production at this time. We who work in the woods and mills know it; our government must know it, and the apparent fact that cer- tain employers do not know it, merely emphasizes the gravity of the complex situation facing the troubled industry of which we are a part. Only an Axis supporter will argue that ‘forced labor’ can out-produce ‘free labor.’

“We of the IWA believe that the lumber industry can be brought to maximum production and to achieve that end we willingly dedicate our hearts and our hands, because we know full well what a Hitler victory holds in store for labor. But we fight a losing battle, as things stand, against the obstinacy of certain employers who resist attempts to stabil- ize working conditions and wages throughout the industry; who, even in this hour of national peril, ignore and evade the recommendations of our gov- ernment embodied in PC 2685, thereby resisting the efforts of our government

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to win this war.

“While lumber production declines daily, there are many concerns that still do not recognize the right of their em- ployees to join a union of their own choice, to bargain collectively; that lay- off or provoke workers into quitting their jobs in order to interfere with legitimate legal union organization or that flatly refuse to even discuss the adjustment of grievance with elected representatives of their employees. This has constituted one of the main reasons for the high labor turnover in the past. Coupled with it has been the entire lack of consideration of the men’s needs, wages, conditions, safety, recreation and other union demands for agreements and recognition similar to that granted in the surrounding industries which have en- ticed numbers of our woodworkers away.”

As a solution to these problems, and as the best means of ensuring maximum production immediately, the IWA in its letter to the government reiterates the demand for joint labor management “pro- duction for victory” committees, posed of equal representation from em- ployers and workers, with a government chairman, which would be able to get to the root of many problems in camps and mills.

Secondly, the IWA recommended the elimination of sub-standard wages and establishment of minimum rates at a level -commensurate~ with the workers’ needs,

Thirdly, the IWA urged that collective bargaining be instituted by law, to make it compulsory for employers to meet with the elected representatives of their employees, and fourthly, acceptance by the government of labor as an equal partner in the war effort, so that labor is consulted on all matters necessary for an all-out war effort.

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“We realize we are fighting for the very existence of this nation today,” the letter concluded. “We realize we are fighting to prevent the utter destruction of civilization by the fascist forces. We realize that this war will decide whether we will live as free human beings or exist as oppressed slaves. We have given our sons, our brothers, our meagre sav- ings to aid that effort, wherever our men work ,they axe prepared to give more; yes, every man-jack of us stands ready to make any sacrifice necessary to

“The greater the difficulties are, the stronger we resist, The final victory must be ours.”—Dr, P, D. Chang, in “China Today.”

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NEW HOSPITAL AT CUMSHEWA

QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS.—An Emergency Hospital is now nearing com- pletion at Beattie Anchorage, Cumshewa Inlet, B.C., which will be one of the most up-to-date of the small hospitals on the” coast. The hospital, which covers three camps, Allison Logging Company, Kel- ley ogging Company and J. R, Morgan's Logging Company, is well equipped with operating table, an X-Ray machine and six hospital beds, :

Dr. Patterson, who is in charge, is en~ deavoring to complete blood tests of all employees in these camps. This will en- able him, in cases of serious accidents where blood transfusions are found neces- sary, to know at short notice whose blood is of the same type as that of the injured man.

This method will greatly hasten the recovery of the patients and all employ- ees in these three camps are urged to volunteer to Dr. Patterson for an im-. mediate blood test.

destroy the fascist Axis.

“This is the people’s war! We of the International Woodworkers of America, B.C. District Council, seven and a half thousand strong, respectfully ask to be heard, and that the above proposals be given full consideration to the end that Canada’s lumber production problems may be solved’ *

(Signed) IWA-CIO B.C. District Council, Nigel Morgan, Sec'ty.

Further representations in regard to this question and also the matter of the Queen Charlotte Islands agreement will be made. to government officials at Ot- tawa by Int'l Executive Board Member Nigel: Morgan, and IWA District Presi- dent, Harold J. Pritchett, who are at Present in Ottawa attending the CCL Convention,

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