ist Issue, November, 1961

WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER

B.C. Federation of Labour's

Unemployment Conference Report

The continuing rise of unemployment was recognized as the most pressing problem before the people of the province by the delegates in attendance at the Annual Convention of the B.C.

Federation of Labour.

Employed workers were reminded that unemployment now threatens the job security of every employed worker.

The report of the Unemployment Conference which preceded the convention stated the problem in the following terms:

“During the past five years un- employment has continued to rise. It is officially estimated that 800,000 Canadian workers will be unem- ployed this winter, and that British Columbia will have almost 100,000 unemployed.

On an average, during 1960, seven per cent of the working force was unemployed. Each year has shown an increase over the previous year. This average has not been lowered in 1961. The records do not show all those on part time employment, nor the number of the self-employ- ed who have also been idled. Actu- ally, unemployment has affected from ten to twelve per cent of the working force. All the factors in the situation are operating to in- crease this percentage during this winter.

Seasonal activity which is report- ed to have reduced the number of unemployed in recent months has no firm basis. In mid-July 40,000 workers in British Columbia were seeking work, and in mid-September the number was reduced by only two thousand. Temporary seasonal employment is almost at an end.

Aggravating Factors The situation is aggravated by structural changes in industry, the rapid introduction of labour-saving devices, shifts in consumer demand, and the general trend toward auto-

mation. Employers are not accept- ing responsibility for cieplieed workers.

The labour force is growing more rapidly than job opportunities.

Unemployment is hampering legi- timate trade union activities, and by lowering consumer spending power acts as brake on business activity.

As unemployment rises, taxation becomes a more irksome burden and governments chisel on social assis- tance and plan made-work for relief at sub-standard wages.

The present unemployment threat- ens the job security of every em- ployed worker. As unemployment rises, more and more jobs will be lost by monthly-rated as well as hourly-rated employees.

Facts Substantiated

The facts here set forth were sub- stantiated during the enquiry of the Special Committee of the Senate on Manpower and Employment.

This Committee supports the aims of organized labour in its efforts to maintain consumer spending power. It further believes that organized labour in its own defence must con- tinue to champion the interests of the unemployed as vigorously as possible.

It is known to all that unemploy- ment has brought needless and de- grading misery to the unemployed and their families. The low stan- dards of subsistence imposed upon

the unemployed and their depen- dents tends to destroy normal family life, lowers community standards, and denies legitimate op- portunities to young people.

We challenge the attitude taken by the authorities and employers that the public must become used to large numbers of unemployed. It is intolerable that economic recovery as well as recession should be ac- companied by mass unemployment. We challenge this attitude because in other countries with more limited natural resources, unemployment has been virtually wiped out by sen- sible economic planning.

Recommendations

Your Committee proposes the fol- lowing steps:

That the Canadian Labour Con- gress and the Provincial Federations of Labour be urged to continue efforts to enlist immediate public support for moneta and fiscal policies which aims at full employ- ment.

Your Committee further recom- mends that the B.C. Federation of Labour be requested to endorse and support:

An immediate and increased public investment in socially necessary projects such as: schools, hospitals, universities, dyking and drainage, forest and mining access roads, forest con- servation, highways and bridges, harbour facilities, power de- velopment, and_ recreational facilities.

2 Better provision for revival of industry in depressed areas to prevent “ghost and avoid the unplanned and un-

assisted mass migration of workers to the larger centres, “including responsibility by Government and Management for the placement of workers deprived of employment through abandonment of indus- trial plants.”

Prompt and adequate assistance for workers required to move from job to job, from one in- dustry to another, and from one area to another.

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Improved facilities for educa- tion in all fields — academic, professional, vocational, and technical—with greater assis- tance for young people showing aptitude for specialized train- ing. These provisions to extend the period of education for young people and provide more _ adequately for their entry into the labour market.

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More adequate provision for those retired from industry.

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Severance pay for those dis- placed by labour-saving and structural changes in industry with accompanying opportu- nities for re-training and re- placement.

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7 Negotiated and legislative pro- vision for a shorter work week.

8 Improved and extended unem- .ployment insurance benefits.

9 Increased social assistance for the unemployed with full medi- cal coverage.

| 0 Increased municipal and provin- cial government participation in federally subsidized plans for the reclaiming and servicing of land

as well as the development of low-rental housing projects and slum clearance; in addition to the extension of the “Municipal Improvements Assistance Act” to finance works of community planning of a permanent nature at low interest cost.

1 Stricter regulation of immigra-

tion having regard to actual employment opportunities, with removal of threats against New Canadians involved in unioni- zation and industrial disputes.

Your Committee recommends that an immediate programme of action be undertaken by the trade unions to combat unemployment. We point to the fact, that while marches and demonstrations have publicized the needs of the unem- ployed, little response has been ob- tained from the authorities. Political action planned for the future does not offer immediate relief of exist- ing distress. We must now march to the homes of our fellow-citizens and present the case of the unem- ployed in a way that ensures public support.

Other recommendations added during convention debates were;

Protection for the ownership by unemployed workers of homes, home furniture, home appliances, and automobiles.

Provision for a Canadian Mer- chant Marine.

Steps to enlist the cooperation of all employed workers in a province- wide campaign to secure the sup- port of public opinion for immedi- ate remedial action.

PRESIDENTS COLUMN

BY JOE MORRIS

New Responsibilities

HE decisions of three conventions have placed fresh responsi- bilities upon our Union. Mainly, this has resulted from eco-

nomic pressures. These developments bring us to

e point where

we must examine our acivities in order that we may make certain that membership welfare is fully protected.

First and foremost is | our responsi- bility to com- bat unemploy- ment with all

delegates spearheaded the demand for immediate action by the authorities at the recent con- yention of the B.C. Federation of Labour. We must now accept our share of the program of action approved by the Federation.

Substantial Reasons

We know that sound and substan- tial reasons support action on our part. Rising unemployment threatens every employed worker — every member of our Union. Official ne- glect of the unemployed is depress- ing our living standards, and ham- pering our negotiations for better wages and working conditions, Un- employment in a recession was bad enough, but mass unemployment during a period of partial economic recovery is intolerable. We should note that even the top-

Each employed worker is ex- pected to equip himself with the facts about the threat of unem- ployment, and the practicability of remedial measures proposed by or- ganized labour. He must seek to permeate his own community with this knowledge. Only an aroused public opinion will compel the ne- cessary action by the authorities.

At all costs, we must resist at- tempts to condition workers to ac- ceptance of unemployment as a necessary and inevitable evil. Our first attack must be made on pub- lic apathy. We are fortified with the knowledge that sensible eco- nomic planning in Western Euro- pean countries has reduced unem- ployment to Jess than 3% instead

of an idled 12% of the work force we must expect this winter if in- action prevails.

The same type of campaign is re- quired to secure the repeal of Bills 42 and 43. Each individual worker must be brought to the realization that restrictive labour laws affect him in his daily life, and not just the Union’s prestige.

The advantages seized by the em- ployers under this legislation have worked serious injustices to men and women now on picket lines. In our own Union we know what we may expect, if we determine to take strike action in our struggle for bet- ter wages and working conditions. We may soon face “the moment of truth” about the purpose of these anti-labour laws.

I ask Local Union officials and job stewards to work for a vital change in the present situation which will place us solidly behind the Federation’s program, The change must be one which enlists each in- dividual member in a crusade for full employment and free collective bargaining so necessary for his own job security.

Special Legislation Sought For Detaulting Employers

Special legislation was urged by the B.C. Federation of Labour Convention delegates to protect the wage claims of workers against an increasing number of defaulting employers. Numerous instances were cited where employees had been defrauded not only out of wages, but denied vacation pay and Unemployment Insurance bene- fits

Several proposals were advanced. One would require the posting of a pay- -roll bond contingent upon the issuance of a business licence.

Another proposal outlined an assurance fund levied upon all em- ployers. This did not meet with general favour, as it was felt that unscrupulous employers would take advantage of such a fund.

There was general agreement that existing loopholes in the law should be stopped to prevent the victimization of large numbers of workers,

Hours of Work

Emphatic views were expressed by IWA delegates with regard to em- ployer abuses of overtime permits

TION OF LABOUR

are currently on strike at Taylor, Ririe & Carson

POR OURSEL a iid

TREMENDOUS OVATION was given ag le pee the delegates attendi the BC. Fed Srp aha “a, Ait gost ctondramania tlepin 3! se, attending so

Retail Wholesale

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6thAmul Conventi

Shes i Sie ALL

Labour Convention in rtment Store Union, Retail Clerks, rsa United Steel 1 Woolworth’s, Produc ts.

and Westeel P;

under the Hours of Work Act. Such permits can be obtained too freely, it was claimed, and without proof of any definite emergency. Amending legislation will be sought.

Further representations will be made to the Provincial Government to make the forty-hour work week statutory in all industries by legis- lation.

A curb on needless overtime, and a reduction in the hours of work immediately possible, was held necessary to spread available em- ployment.

Minimum Wages The convention demanded a

suggested was $1.25 an hour.

It was réported that in some in- dustries wages as low as 40 cents an hour are now being paid.

Strikers Fired

Recent instances of strikers being fired while on strike were described to the convention. The delegates demanded a clear-cut prohibition in the Labour Relations Act. Such dis- missals could be regarded as intimi- dation.

The proposed amendment would prohibit any employer from dis- charging his employees while on a legal strike.

Pregnant Fathers?

ager, has been out of a job since June 1, but not for the reason the state of Wisconsin thinks,

The latest in his series of memos

commission, “Your checks cannot be released until you bring in a doctor's state- ment regarding your pregnancy.”