4- B.C.

LUMBER WORKER

Norfiem Interior Settlement

‘THE “package” settlement placed before the IWA _ members in the Northern Interior with the rec- ommendation of the District Policy Committee represents not only substantial progress for the Interior membership, but also a creditable achieve- ment in bargaining.

It reflects credit on the Union’s strength in the Interior, when in contrast with former negotia- tions, it can this time leave the bargaining table with a settlement which in monetary value closely approximates the value of the membership’s or- iginal demands.

If the employers have taken a more reasonable attitude than on former occasions, it may be at- tributed partially at least to the improved state of the Union’s organization in the Interior. Credit must also be given to the Union’s spokesmen, whose skill in bargaining has gained through ex- perience.

Any settlement is a target for criticism. Every settlement gives rise to misgivings in the minds of those who must act for the Union at the bar- gaining table.

The Union’s spokesmen must exercise well- balanced judgment, after weighing indefinite as well as definite factors. They must press the issues to the point, where they gain the best re- sults obtainable.. They must not go beyond the point where the risks are likely to be greater than are warranted by the additional gains in prospect.

_The determining factor in this decision is the welfare of the membership. The final test, as in this instance, must be the will of the membership, as expressed in a referendum ballot.

The proposed settlement brings Interior lum- ber workers closer to the wage standards estab- lished at the Coast. To judge the improvement in the wage standards, consideration must be given to the up-grading of the category rates, before the across-the-board hike is applied, on September 1. This serves to remedy a long-standing grievance.

In the Northern Interior, improved union security has always been given emphasis by the membership. The compulsory checkoff for new members, in addition to the present maintenance of membership clause, will enable Local 1-424, IWA, to entrench itself more firmly in widely scattered operations.

As in the Coast region, this provision will yield the additional strength and stability so necessary for fulfillment of the Union’s task

Industry-wide medical services is a big item in the “package”. It is sorely needed in the Interior, where such benefits have been ‘largely ignored in the past. It is important to note that the medical plan has been made subject to contract negotia- tions.

Whatever plan evolves, it will find uniform application throughout all operations in the area. This is of great importance, where workers must move from operation to operation to seek avail- able employment.

The contract improvements which add five more paid statutory holidays, and the 6 percent vacation pay allowance after five years’ employ- ment, have permanent value, even greater than the actual monetary sum involved. In these re- spects the employers concede that greater atten- tion must be given the health and morale of their employees, to get efficient production.

This settlement marks another important mile- stone in the progress which year after year the IWA continues to accomplish, in the march to- ward its declared objectives.

Contents:

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Labour Plans To Inform Farmers

By CLIFFORD-A. SCOTTON

OTTAWA (CPA)—A concerted drive to tell labor’s story to the farmers of Ontario is being mustered by the Canadian Labor Congress and some of its affiliated-unions. A union exhibit on a continuous 11-week tour will be set up at 18 fall fairs throughout southern Ontario. The fairs last from two to five days and attract crowds averaging

level. |

from 5,000 to 75,000.

The project has been planned as a combined effort by the CLC’s departments of public re- lations, education and political education. It is designed to dispel some of the myths that have been created about the conflict of in- terest between farmers and labor and to tell organized labor’s story to the important farm section of the population.

Labor Exhibit

A large fairground tent, gaily decorated with bunting and lights, will house the labor ex- hibit. Comfortable chairs and a frequently replenished water cooler will provide rest and re- freshment for visitors to the fair.

The tent-set-up was planned by CLC staff artist Harry Kelman who also designed the 12 graphic display panels which show the similarity between the interests of farmers and labor. Give-away pamphlets will show how the price spreads affect the incomes of both the farmer and the city worker, the structure of unions and the CLC will be explained, farmers will learn why unionists pay dues, what wages they re- ceive and much other information in which they are interested. A portable film projector will run labor movies for visitors who stay awhile.

125,000 Visitors

Roadman for the labor show will be Linc. Bishop, CLC assist- ant director of political educa- tion. Line. will stay with the ex- hibit and transport it around from the beginning of August until it winds up at the Interna- tional Ploughing Match at Brook- line, Ont., in mid-October. The} Ploughing Match attracts up to! 125,000 visitors.

The participation of local labor councils is expected to help ease! some of the many problems at-' tached to the travelling labor show. A long-term advantage ex- pected to accrue from this par- ticipation is the establishment of , closer contact between unions and farm groups on the local

All the platforms, displays and other equipment have been de- signed for. easy transportation! by truck. When one fair ends, | Linc. Bishop will close up shop, !

pack the equipment into special |

Fall Fair

Labor booths at country fairs are not a new thing but the CLC’s fall fair project this-year will be the first time a concerted effort to tell labor’s story to the farmers, spread over a consider- able period, has been undertaken, In the U.S. the Michigan State CIO and the Packinghouse Work- ers have had labor booths at country fairs. The UPWA and the United Auto Workers in Can- an exhibit at the International Ploughing Match. At the 1956 Calgary Stampede, the Calgary Labor Council and affiliated unions operated a display.

CLC officials look upon the present scheme as an experiment. If it appears to be successful in getting labor’s message across to some of Ontario’s thousands of farmers this year, the scheme will be expanded in future both in Ontario and in the rest of Canada.

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Barbers Merge

NEW YORK (CPA) — A merger or reunion of former CIO and AFL barber unions in- to a single body has brought about the first amalgamation of two AFL-CIO affiliates since the 15,000,000 - member labor body was formed last Decem- ber.

The 6,000-member Barber and Beauty Culturists Union of Am- erica (CIO) has voted to re-affili- ate with the 84,000-member Bar- bers Union which was formerly part of the AFL. The merger de-

cision was made in a referendum

of the membership of the smaller group. A 93 percent vote in favor of the link-up led to immediate integration of the two groups.

The Barber and Beauty Cultur- ists Union was chartered by the CIO in 19438,

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Barrister & Solicitor Notary Public

751 Granville Street VANCOUVER, B,C.

Telephone TAtlow 6641

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MA, 2948