aY ty ee

JACK MOORE

Regional President

JACK HOLST

Regional 2nd Vice-President

6 .

SYD THOMPSON President Local 1-217

ED HAW Financial Secretary Local 1-118

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Past Experiences Helped Develop Strong, Democratic Union .

Every IWA member is assured the right to an effective Union capable of gaining for him the best possible wages, working condi- tions, hours and security.

The primary function of the Union is collective bargining to secure a good contract. The Union supplies experienced negotiators for the bargaining table, supported by representative committees re- quired to report fully to the members concerned on terms considered.

Expert legal, research, educational and public relations tech- niques are utilized as fully as possible to support contract demands. The Union maintains its own Research Department to keep negotiators abreast of all essential information regarding the industry.

The Union retains the right to strike, with membership approval, as its bargaining weapon of last resort.

Through affiliation with the AFL-CIO, the Canadian Ldpor Con- gress, the Industrial Union Department, State and Provincial federa- tions as well as by direct representations and publicity, the Union exercises constant political pressure with regard to labor legislation and necessary social security measures. The Union subscribes to the AFL-CIO Code of Ethical Practices in its relations with other unions.

h the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions,

the International Labor Office of the UN, and exchanges with unions in other lands, IWA members benefit from world-wide co-operation

on questions of global significance to workers.

Every IWA member is assured the right to a responsible Union. The Union acknowledges its responsibility to him as a member, the collective bargaining agreements and to nation at large. To retain the good will of fair-minded employers, public officials mass of plain citizens, the Union declares that it has nothing to hide and much to proclaim. As the IWA is more than a narrow pres- its public service character. “What is good for community is good for the Union,” is more than IWA circles. ; ee promotes educational programs and pu to inform and remind the members of

THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER

:

WYMAN TRINEER President Local 1-357

1st Iss March, 1964

fi

= ey @ &

WALTER F. ALLEN President Local 1-85

S Mes ae WELDON JUBENVILLE President Local 1-80

Ae ON Co

BILL HAYES 4 President Local 1-367

President Local 1-363

their problems and responsibilities in Union affairs. The members are ”

told that the Union is not just a slot machine which may pay back a

quarter for every nickel invested. Under the constitutional provisions ,

outlined, the effectiveness of the Union is in direct ratio to member-

ship participation in its activities. Membership vigilance ensures that 2

its officials are honest servants of the organization and that any violations of the Union’s traditions are quickly remedied. The rights ‘

enumerated in the Constitution can be given reality only by full |

membership participation.

| 4

\

The Union impresses the individual member that he has the ré-_-.

sponsibility to make sure that the public opinion, which he helps to mold, is aware of the Union’s true aims. The member also has the . duty to maintain the democratic concept of respect for minorities while recognizing that the unquestioned right to criticize does not include . the right to undermine the Union.

Each union member has the responsibility to make the most of — tle democratic process guaranteed to him by the Union’s Constitution, that it may not lose vitality to serve his interests.

It is recognized that the Union is not an island unto itself but « must cooperate with other unions and like-minded sections of the com- munity for social progress.

The 26-year development of the IWA as a responsible Union is , praiseworthy as justified by an examination of the organization's records. This background gives confidence in its competency to cope , with the complex problems which now confront organized labour. The enemies of trade unionism will try to use the situation to weaken . an effective Union such as the IWA. The IWA has demonstrated that the best safeguard against the loss of opportunity for woodworkers is . a vigilant, informed, and active membership.

In the light of this estimate of the Union’s readiness for action, ‘

we turn next to consideration of the Union’s policy on the immediate

and most pressing problems. (to be continued)