B.C. LUMBER WORKER

New Program

[wa members in British Columbia are being given the

opportunity this month to back the future of the Union. The referendum for approval of a $2.00 assessment this year, which is now under way, will determine whether im- portant steps may now be taken to consolidate the position gained by the IWA since October, 1948.

Delegates attending the 1951 District Convention, after, reviewing the financial position of the District Council, realized that a weakness in the bank account might result in a weakness at the bargaining table. They were also aware of the demands of the membership for an expanded program of activity in organization, education and safety. Accordingly, they carefully calculated the minimum amount required and the least painful method of raising such a sum.\The referendum is the result, and an empha- Ties vote will solve some urgent problems for the

The average lumber worker has never been known to quibble about a $2.00 contribution for his Union from his year’s earnings if he knows that it will be applied to his advantage and that of his fellow workers. An examina- tion of the projects to be made possible by the assessment, will quickly remove any lingering doubts. The proposed investment in IWA progress will pay rich dividends in the months ahead. 3

‘HE administrative responsibilities and work of the Dis-

trict Council have become vastly greater due to the rapid increase in membership. As it has become impossible for two full-time officers of the Council to keep pace with the increasing volume of work, provision was made to place the 1st Vice-President, Joe Morris, on the District payroll.

This step will enable the District Officers to give more adequate attention to the needs of the Interior organiza- tion, and assist the Interior Local Unions in the develop- ment of facilities to service their growing membership.

The wisdom of this step is apparent when it is noted that the membership has doubled since 1948. This in- crease has been an important achievement which has brought with it added responsibility in administering the affairs of the doubled membership. The District organiza- tion should have the Biatl to do ane job efficiently.

*

NLY one of the four Teeter reer Unions has found it possible to maintain full-time business agents. The other three cannot hope to reach a self-sustaining basis without help from the District in organizational work. With such help, they have the reasonable hope of securing independence. An immediate requirement is that the Interior field staff should be strengthened by subsidies from the District Council.

This becomes an urgent responsibility of the District Council in view of the pending contract battle. A well- organized Interior this year will enormously improve the possibility of gaining parity with the Coast.

* ee

*

N effective safety program is now recognized as a major responsibility of the Union. Sufficient progress has been made to demonstrate that such a program can sub- stantially lower the accident rate among the workers in the industry.

To realize the full value of this program it will be necessary to appoint a full-time District Safety Director. If this is made possible, he will assist in the organization of ee, committees in all operations and co-ordinate their wor!

x OF

J[MPROVED opportunities for IWA members to gain a

sound working knowledge of trade union administration, grievance procedure, collective bargaining, and labor legis- lation will develop sound leadership. An educational pro- gram with these purposes is essential for a thriving trade union democracy.

Such a program is in prospect, if the assessment is approved. It must be co-ordinated through and assisted by the District organization. It will require such facilities as film programs, instructors, educational material, and week-end classes. It will require more financial support than has hitherto been possible.

*

PPROXIMATELY three thousand Chinese workers are included within the [TWA membership. Hitherto their requirements have been serviced through an agreement with the International which has now expired. This special phase of IWA organization should not now be dropped, and will not be dropped, if support is rendered through the

assessment.

The District organization is as much a victim of the rising costs of living as the individual worker. The costs of supplies, rent, telephone, stenographic help, light, and extra clerical assistance required have all risen, adding to administrative costs. In order to maintain efficiency in administration it is necessary to make provision for these rising costs.

These are practical considerations which require the practical action of practical people. Consent for a $2.00 assessment will result in still more important practical achievement for [WA members. An emphatic “Yes” vote today will ensure a bigger and better IWA tomorrow.

*

ZiZj\ wrERIOR

WORKER

The Editor:

It is with interest and a good deal of amusement I read a news report in the morning edition of

May 16th News-Herald. The news | | now getting restless and are get- | ting anxious to get back into the

item reports on the’ discussion that took place at a meeting of the Vancouver & District (TLC) Council.

The discussion was centered ayound a letter sent to the Goun- cil by W. Sands, President of the Okanagan Labor Council (TLC). From the report it is quite evi- dent that in letter to the Council, Bill quite bitterly com- plained about his organization in the Okanagan being raided by the CCL affiliates.

May say that I have a great deal of personal experience with what happened and is happening within the labor circles in the Okanagan Valley. I am amazed that Bill who revelled in the dirty game of raiding only a few short "s ago, should now be so bit-

complaining. It is quite ap-

parent that the workers whom Bill has bluffed for the past few years are getting fed up with his fancy dancing and are now only too anxious to get back into the ranks of honest trade unions,

For the record and speaking from personal knowledge, here is what happened. Bill Sands was for a number of years a promi- nent official of the Okanagan La- bor Council (CCL). He was also at the same time an official of the CBRE (CCL) organization in the Okanagan and for a period in 1947 was on the staff of UPWA (CCL).

However, for reasons quite ob- vious, Bill decided to throw all that overboard and strike out in building an empire for himself not without assistance from the various employer groups in the Okanagan.

Bill proceeded to sabotage the CCL organization and in particu- lar the UPWA in the Okanagan early in the summer of 1947 and finally the battle came out in the open. with Bill in the leadership making and being granted a charter from the AFL. A series of raids took place on all or most of the CCL affiliates in the Oka-

nagan. Bill was immediately as-"

sisted by Wm. Page of the Car- penters & Joiners, a fellow by the name of Baker and others. Through the medium of the Rand Formula and a great deal of assistance from the employer interests everything seemed quite rosy for a time. However, the

Sekora Raps Former CCL Official

workers in the Okanagan in the past few years, watching workers members of genuine trade unions marching forward to greater benefits such as wages, etc., are

ranks of militant (CCL) trade unions.

No one need fear that any raid- ing is being contemplated, how- ever, it is my belief that the rank

and file worker is going to be given a chance to become a mem- ber of an organization that ne-~ gotiates its agreements after a legitimate request of the workers on the job. Instead of the prac- tice of signing an agreement through a backdoor method, and then telling the workers to get in or get out of the job.

MIKE SEKORA,

International Organizer,

tt

Youu ev

money!

So don’t lose your pay-cheque. Soon as you get it mail it to us for safekeeping. If you wish to cash all or any of it, we will do this by mail, too. “Baaking-by- Mail” with us protects your money until the time when you need it.

CLIP THIS COUPON».. Send me all information about protect= ing my pay against Toss, and “Banking by Mail”.

Name,

sexo ro-> BANKeTORONTO

Incorporated 1853 Vancouver Branch, Dept. B. 3, Vancouver, B.C. 14 branches to serve you in British Columbia,

ANS

B. C. COLLATERAL LOAN BROKERS LTD.

771 EAST HASTINGS, Cor. COLUMBIA

On DIAMONDS, JEWELRY, SILVERWARE, FURS AND

ALL VALUABLES Immediate Cash! No Red Tape? Unredeemed Diamonds for Sale

PAcific 3557-8