4 ie

B.C.

LUMBER WORKER

New Horizons

general trend of the proceedings of fhe 15th Annual

District Convention of the IWA may be forecast with reasonable accuracy. This trend is now being determined by the problems of the Union and the’prevailing opinions expressed in the convention resolutions,

This forecast may be made without infringing upon the policy-making perogatives of the delegates. The IWA is in the strictest sense of the word a democratic organization. Policy-making is the exclusive right of the membership in convention,

Pre-convention responsibilities of the District Officers require the preparation of information regarding the ac- tivities and resources of the Union. Submission of the offi- cers’ report provides the opportunity to review the work of the past year as the basis for future plans,

It is likewise the duty of the officers to channel all pro- posals originating with the members in the Local Unions to the convention in such form as to secure proper con- sideration.

This also involves the appraisal of the possibilities of progress for the ensuing year, and necessary recommenda- tions which may expedite clear-cut decisions.

* *

‘E responsibilities of this convention are great. The IWA now speaks for the workers throughout the entire lumber industry of the province. It also forms the largest District within the International Union. The bargaining strength of the IWA has mustered an impressive economic force. Many thousands of workers and their families rely on the IWA for the betterment of their circumstances. These considerations require the use of the Union’s in- creased strength and prestige with wisdom and vision.

The over-riding consideration for the conduct of the delegates arises from the fact that the Union’s strength is based on the unity achieved by the lumber workers in building the IWA.

Workers from logging camps, sawmills, shingle mills and plywood plants have found common ground for action in their mutual interests.

The old trade union motto, “One for all, and all for one”, has served the IWA well. Differences of opinion will be aired, as they should be in a democratic organization. The demanding condition is that those purposes upon which the delegates agree are of vastly greater importance than details upon which they may temporarily disagree.

Clash of opinion should be directed to stimulating the process of pooling the best ideas in a forward-looking pro-

gram of action, » a A

‘' primary purpose of the IWA, which is the promotion

of the economic welfare of the lumber workers of B.C. will occupy the major discussions. The requirements of the workers will shape the contract demands for 1952-53.

That the contract terms must be improved goes with- out saying. Living costs as well as the lumber corporation profits are soaring to heights which demand compensating adjustment in wages and working conditions.

Hidden wage cuts, represented by recent boosts in the cost of essential foods, electric service, telephone service, and transportation will be resisted or remedied, if the present temper of the workers is fully expressed.

New problems which arose out of extraordinary condi- tions last year will bring under examination new features of the contract to deal with such matters as fares, guar- teed daily wage, and health and welfare considerations.

Where emphasis should be placed is a matter for the delegates to decide. Some of these matters will require the most thorough investigation to make certain of future involvernents, that the workers’ interests may be fully

safe-guarded. pe eet

S the District Convention immediately precedes the

Annual Convention of the B.C. Federation of Labor, the IWA will prepare to join with other CCL unions in pro- tection of joint legislative aims.

‘The B.C. Legislature cannot procrastinate any longer in preparing amendments to the ICA Act, the Workmen’s Compensation Act, and the B. C. Hospital Insurance Act.

The employers are exerting every effort. to whittle down any proposed benefits and to hamper the legitimate activities of the trade unions. aia

The unions must mobilize their combined strength in a major effort to convince the politicians and the public, that the day has arrived for a square deal for labor.

Trade unionists are not as easily hoodwinked as in former days. Promises, whether made at election time or in the Legislature, must be fulfilled and written on the statute books. The trade unions are aware, that they have a weapon, not available to the employers in the political field, namely, numbers. Numbers count when the ballots

are tabulated. : ae

The preparations of the Local Unions indicate clearly that the IWA members are tackling these problems with the spirit which has made the IWA the leading workers’ organization in British Columbia. This is the best assur- ance that this year’s convention will open up great possi- bilities for progress that will substantially enrich the lives of those represented by the IWA.

The IWA Moves In

Interior Workers Praised

The Editor:

Congratulations and saluta- tions to fellow-workers in the In- terior on winning your up-hill fight to have the IWA recognized there. Now that you have been wise and successful in establish- ing the IWA as your bargaining agent, let there be no more rot- ten Camp and Mill conditions such as the District Secretary re- ported on the front page of De- cember 20th Lumber Worker.

Believe me, as one who came up through the same putrid and corrupt conditions and other ob- stacles out here on Vancouver Island, both above and below the ground, having served seven years in the coal mines, I am con- fident that the IWA will never again tolerate such conditions,

Therefore, folks, it is up to every one of us to give full sup- port to those who are giving so much of there time to the Cause, once and for all, cleaning out any bad odors.

Here is a good clean thought, once we have put our seal of ap- proval, which is the Union Stamp, on all products we turn out, that mark shall signify a first-class product. This should, in turn, indicate excellent work- ing conditions in all departments.

And finally, be assured that we of the IWA on the Pacific Coast are with our Interior brothers one hundred percent, Belonging to a Union we are proud of, we will go on until all of us have achieved that which so many have worked for.

Fraternally yours, AUSTIN BOURN, Box 595, Courtenay, B.C. Book 139, Local 1-363.

The CIO has called for a broadened federal social security program, pointing out that 5% million Americans- are now on relief and that a fourth of the nation “lives on the fringes of want”, The CIO Economic Out- look declared “the defense of America is not a matter of guns and atom bombs alone”.

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