WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER

Automation Problems Fault Of Employers

Canadian industrial leaders have been accused of lethargy in treating the question of coping with the impact of automation.

Sir Robert Watson-Watt, a key figure in the development of the Religion-Labour Council of Canada here, stated the country faced a new displaced persons problem. .

Unless the questions of retrain- ing and re-educating workers were tackled vigorously, he sug- gested, the problem would rank in severity if not in numbers with the refugee problem con- fronting other countries.

Ethical Laziness “There is either an undue pro-

the prospects and effects of auto- mation,” Sir Robert declared.

“There.is no limit to the tasks we can entrust to the control of machines.”

Sir Robert said he was un- moved by the fears of those who think machines will take charge of society but he was concerned by the rising number of dis- placed persons in a society that

will depend on the use of mental

process rather than manual dex- terity.

“If we allow machines to take charge of us, we'll have only ourselves to blame,” he told the delegates.

The convention adopted a reso- lution urging the federal govern- ment to conduct a continuing

portion of optimism or an undue; study of manpower displace. ment by automation.

amount of ethical laziness about

Agreements Signed In 1-417

Cliff Michael, financial sec- retary of IWA Local 1-417, Salmon Arm, B.C. reports that agreements have been signed recently with the newly organized retail yards of Parkinson Building Sup- plies and Inland Building Supplies in Kamloops, B.C. Some of the provisions in- clude a 44-hour week, 50-50 pension plan, pay for all de- clared Statutory Holidays and extra weeks vacation with pay if annual holidays are taken in the winter months.

The agreement gives all employees an immediate in- crease of between 22c and 35c per hour.

IWA INTERNATIONAL Secretary-Treasurer, Bill Botkin right, presenting a certificate to a student who completed the IWA Union Training Pro-

¢ gramme. Presentation was made during the Annual Meeting of Local 1-85, IWA, Port Alberni, March 13.

Port Alberni

Local 1-85 Reports Membership Rise

Officers’ Report submitted to the Twenty-third Annual

Meeting of Local 1-85, IWA,

Port Alberni, March 13, dis-

closed a healthy 1959 membership increase over the year 1958. A strong membership interest was noted too in the numerous educational courses conducted by the Local Union.

In the nominations held for Local Officers those nominated

posed; 2nd Vice-President, Len Randell and Dick Van Appelen; 3rd Vice-President, Gil Ingram and Al Freeman; Financial Secretary, Maurice. Corbeil, un- opposed; Recording Secretary, John Squire, unopposed.

Other Nominations

Nominations were also held for the election of District Con- ference delegates, election of Local ballotting committee. Presentation of the year-end audit and Union Training Pro- gramme Certificates were also made.

Guest speakers were William Botkin, IWA International Sec- retary-Treasurer; Joe Morris, Regional President; E. P. O’Neale, Secretary - Treasurer, B.C. Federation of Labour.

In its review of the past year’s activities, the Report stated in part:

“In the past year we have been successful in organizing a number of small operations .. .

“Your Executive Officers ex- press their deep apreciation to Sub-Loeal Officers, Cothmittee Members, Job Stewards and the faithful Members who attended most meetings, for their efforts in guiding the conduct of the

Local Union's affairs during the

- Education _ “During the past year 21 Job Stewards and Committeemen a CLC Weekend

Labour Institute held in

were: for President, Walter} Courtenay... F Allen, unopposed; ist Vice- “Once again we gave a $500 President, Stan Parker, unop-| bursary which was set up to

help young people in our Local Union’s area to gain higher education ...

“Brothers John Squire, Gil Ingram and Maurice Corbeil at- tended instructors courses on the Union Training Programme put on by Brother Elwood Taub, Director of the International Research and Education Depart- ment . 3;

Finances

“The Auditor’s Report for the year 1959 has been given to each member at this meeting and your Table Officers request that you take this report home to study and ask questions of your Financial Secretary at the next Local meeting .. .

“The Local Union donated the sum of $1,375.00 to other Unions on strike...

Safety “Contrary to statement made by the Minister of Labour, this Local Union experienced the best safety record ever during 1950) 0:

Administration

“Our Local President, Walter Allen, once again served on the Regional Negotiating Commit- tee. Our First Vice-President, Stan Parker, was placed on the Local payroll for a period of 5%2 months to assist in Local administration ...

“During the past year the Local Union Office helped pro- cess many contested WCB claims and UIC claims.”

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NAN, THAT FELT LIKE A

DAYTON

NO OTHER BOOT

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