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Shingle weavers need six hour day, elimination of piecework

By HAROLD PRITCHETT

‘Workers in the shingle mills have over the years been noted for their militancy and organi- zation. This is understandable because of the type of work which has always been based on Piecework like the fallers in the woods. As a result the sawing and deck work is hazardous, heavy, noisy and dirty.

There has scarcely been 2 period in history when the Shingle weavers were not Organized and struggling against the boss. One of the main issues was elimination of plece- work.

Some attempts have been made by the employers to auto- mate the shingle mills but to ‘date, without success. The personal touch in preparing, Sawing and packing shingles has not as yet been eliminated.

Another big issue is the six hour day and presently, two of the largest shingle mills are on strike in B.C. for this demand. It

-is estimated that, 90% of all Shingles and shakes produced in Canada are sold in the U-S. where our brothers in the I.W.A.

| established the six hour work | day in 1938.

In addition to the direct competition with our American brothers, Canadian employers never had it so good. Number One shingles have reached anall

time high of $34.00 per square and number fours, the lowest grade, at $9.00 per square. When

you consider the fact that

fallers are now working a 6% hour day and the building trades 35% hours per week, there Is plenty of justification for shingle workers demanding and getting the long-awaited six hour day.

The problem now is how to obtain the six hour day and elimination of piecework. Maybe we can learn something from our American brothers.

The six hour day was estab- lished in the U.S. by popular demand and full mobilization of the entire shingle industry around the one demand— 6 hour day & realizing that while the employers are usually prepared to make wage concessions they will always fight like hell to maintain or even extend the hours of work.

- It is essential therefore to clear the decks for an all-out struggle, first with a full mobilization of the entire shingle industry around the popular demand for a six hour

=o The I.W.A. Regional leader- ship should take a lesson from history, namely, that to conduct a major struggle for the six hour day requires a full mobilization of the shingle workers, backed up by the entire industry and fully supported by the entire labor movement.

The shingle operators have, down through the years, been fairly successful in frag- menting the workers on craft versus day-labor lines. It was only a few years ago they worked the white sawyers and packers against the Chinese sawyer's and packers so we must be on guard against divisions.

Unity is the key to success.

& #TIS MEANS WE HAVE To LOOK ARSUNP FOR

ANOTHER WINNER foR The Wales onreur : PER WORKER AWARD f > sie

ment in a practical way than to buy someone a S

4, B.C.

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GIVE THE PT FOR CHRISTMAS

Christmas is the time of giving and a time to reflect on Peace and the international bro and fighters in the struggle for peace.

There is no more meaningful way of expressing this senti- and to help the PT at the same time ubscription to the Pacific Tribune,

tested champion and fighter to end all wars of aggression. —

The PT is makinga special Christmas offer of 6 months for

$2 and we appeal to you to take adva cut out the enclosed couponalong w! . mail tothe PT office. Mez. 3-193 East Hastings St., Vancouver

SPECIAL XMAS OFFER "6 MONTHS FOR $2.00

Enclosed $2.00. Please send PT for 6 months to: a INA E= cavoe'c as cles eee ovis 's cee cmewicie sinmnermmceeni ay?

- Address BAAR A RIOC IDO AU SUD JOU OT FOUUO OO II

Ce did

ee

therhood of all working people

dvantage of this offer. Simply tha money order of $2, and

a

[oe aie eee

- said Union

DONALD GREENWELL, prominent trade unionist and past president of the Hastings Community Assoc., is a COPE candidate for Parks Board. Leng a fighter for better parksand recreation facili- ties for east Vancouver, Green- well polled a large vote in 1970 when he ran for Parks Board.

IN RANKIN CASE

UFAWU demands charges dropped

The United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union added its voice this wéek to the protest over the Law Society’s citation of Vancouver lawyer and alder- man Harry Rankin for alleged misconduct.

The letter, sent in response to a statement issued by the Citi- zen’s Committee and sent to all trade unions, urged Attorney- General MacDonald to ‘‘use his good offices to order with- drawal of a complaint laid by Deputy Attorney-General Gil- bert D. Kennedy.’’ The letter also called on MacDonald to examine the structure of the B.C. Law Society with a view to “stripping the Society of its ‘law- unto-itself’ powers, limit its disciplinary powers and impose a responsibility to the public.”’

Charging that the Attorney- General’s department under the Socred government, includ-

' ing Mr. Kennedy was guilty of

gross indifference to the public outrage generated by the Fred Quilt case, the Unionstated that “Kennedy must share the blame for the deplorable situation that developed but undaunted he has the gall to lodge a complaint with the Law Society.”’

‘Mr. Rankin is involved in a

civic election campaign and _

won’t be muzzled by this organ- ized attempt to discredit him,”’ Secretary Jack

Nichol.

OBITUARY

Walter Stockand Veterans of the labor move-

ment will mourn the passing of —

Walter Stockand, 78, who died on Monday, November 27 in Cumberland after a long illness.

Born in Nanaimo, Walter played an active and leading role in bringing trade unionism to the coal mining industry on Van- couver Island. The Stockand family were pioneer builders of the union movement on the Island. Walter also took an active part in the unemployed struggles of the thirties.

A long-time active member of the Communist Party, Walter was a strong supporter of the PT. He is survived by his three sons, Alan, George and Howard, a daughter Louise and his wife Harriet.

The PT expresses its con- dolences to members of the family... sdpe a

a CED St 7 eee ED A ae LAvch ahs é ES tPA

LIKES ANGIE

Alice Hamilton writes: A Na- tive Canadian is going torun for the position of Mayor, or per- haps more correctly, Mayoress of Vancouver. Angie Dennis is on the Committee of Progres- sive Electors that includes alder- man Harry Rankin. Let us all get together and back up Angie and Harry and COPE candi- dates and put to rout the old McGeer palace-guard of big busi- ness at City Hall.

The NPA are having political problems keeping their party machine together. Next on the political stage is TEAM, organ- ized to try and save the day for big business in case the NPA fails to pull the political wool over the eyes of the people. We also hear that there are some Mighty Socialists of the New Democratic Party whose slogan is no unity with COPE and Rankin.

We believe in Angie Dennis for Mayor and Rankin and all other COPE candidates. Let us work for more unity todefeat big busi- ness at City Hall.

BACKS COPE

The following letter, sub- mitted by John Nebot, was sent to the Vancouver Sun who re- fused publication. We offer it here for our readers.

I could explode with anger to see how unscrupulous elements of the NDP organization which I respect in essence, but not for

the latest political tactics, could ~

Qeere FORUM

climb, nonchalantly, the echelons of leadership, and little by little destroy it without giving offence.

This kind of ability and specula- tion I find most shameful. Shameful to try and steal the fine accomplishments of Mr. Rankin and COPE or atleast having that intention.

Now that the rugged job has been done by COPE, Mr. Campbell appears — not the “Terrific,’’ but the other, the opportumist, and just like that— he wants to be mayor of Van couver. He is assuming that the same is going to happen in Van- couver as it did across the prov- ince. People had enough of Mr. Bennett but Vancouver wants more from COPE and Mr. Rankin.

I have heard Mr. Campbell talk and I have seen how hard he tries to borrow from Mr. Rankin; he robs some of the ideas, stereotypes them, and then poses as the proud con- queror. Wrong Boy! If it were in a book it wowld be called plag- iarism. First, Isay, goon learn

the intricacies of building your- self a much-needed class conscience. And remember, while you are at it, not to forget the meaning of the word unity.

Who are you kidding Mr. Campbell? You are appearing on the mayoralty scene like a polaroid picture, which is finished in a minute, but after the civic election you will befor- gotten.

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IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of a dear husband and father, a loyal Comrade and staunch fighter for the rights of labor, the family of CORAY CAMPBELL donates $10 to the Pacific Tribune in his

Mary Campbell & Family

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