THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER. OCTOBER-NOVEMBER,1977 vie thewestern canadian [Wor A) copies nm this issve lumber worker Published once monthty as the official publication of the INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS OF AMERICA Western Canadian Regional Council No. } Affitiated with AFL-CIO-CLC 2859 Commercial Orive, Vancouver, B.C. Phone 674-5261 Pat Kerr Business Manager — Wyman Trineer Forwarded te every member of the 1WA in Western Canada in accordance with convention decisions. Subscription rate for non-members $2.00 per year GUEST EDITORIAL WHO’S FIGHTING INFLATION Canadians were not promised a rose garden when wage and price controls were introduced on Thanksgiving Day, 1975. But even if the controls are being administered with a kind of rough justice, the justice doesn’t always seem fair. And that casts a shadow on the whole system. Witness the sad story of Jack Munro’s salary. Mr. Munro is the president of the western regional council of the International Woodworkers of America. He leads about 50,000 forest industry workers, most of them in B.C. The forest industry is the backbone of B.C.’s economy. He earns $27,424.80 a year, including a $28.80 weekly pay raise just voted him at the union’s annual con- vention. Some of the union members wanted to give him a raise of $51.40 a week. But the majority felt he had to stick to the union constitution rules which allowed him the same increase that he had helped negotiate for them, that is, $28.80 per week. But for him than mean an increase of less than the guidelines — 5.7 per cent, to be exact. Well, that wasn’t the guidelines’ fault, was it? True, but the point.is that one of the more important figures in provincial industry, who is underpaid to start with, is being tied down to less than the guidelines permit. At the same time the Anti- Inflation Board has been approving increases for some executives in industry which are way above the guidelines and which, even in a system of rough justice, are wildly out of line. For instance, the AIB has found pay increases of $60,000 for some executives have not contravened the anti-inflation regulations, Kaiser Resources Ltd. president Edgar Kaiser Jr. being a case in point. There were others of over $17,000 and $22,000 among oil company executives which were also found to have been within the regulations. Under the controls program —execut aren't supposed to get nore than the $2,400 maximum. But tong as the executive raises in a yup average no more than $2,400, 2s violation of the rules. In eu; other words, some can get hefty increases beyond the guidelines if other get less than the guidelines. Well, maybe these special cases are all above board. But they are a distortion of the spirit of the anti- inflation program which surely must | be based on the notion that we’re ali in this fight against inflation together. It’s not rough justice if some of us are carrying a heavier share of the burden than others. A survey of 1977 executive salaries by H.V. Chapman and Associates Ltd., a Toronto management con- sultant firm, shows a downward trend in executive salaries due to AIB rules. But executives in com- panies not subject to the AIB were still getting higher increases than those in AIB firms, in many cases 20 per cent higher. But even in some of the AIB companies there were above guideline increases. As an English judge once said, the appearance of justice is as important as justice itself. That should apply especially in an economic situation in which, we’re told, we must all tighten our belts or see the country go down the drain. There may be arguments justifying these higher executive increases. It may be said, for instance, that the decisions to be made at the top are more difficult because of AIB regulations that make business tougher to run. And - there’s no doubt business should be looking for ways of expanding even in a period of cost restraint. But Mr. Munro faces an equally tough time as the leader of a union whose members are vital to the B.C. economy. His salary is confined to less than the guidelines. He didn’t even ask for an increase beyond the controls, even though many of the people around him thought he was worth more. We have no doubt that many, many executives are in the same boat, perhaps even a majority. But their position and that of Mr. Munro are a revealing contrast with that of those other industry leaders on whom the guidelines have put no strain whatever in terms of financial compensation. THE PROVINCE You guys had it easy in th’ old days . . . two days to sober up comin’ in on a boat! Eee THANKS HIS UNION Eiditor’s note: The following letter written by a young IWA member ex- presses his emotional relief after ten years of unnecessary suffering because some person at the WCB turned down his claim for compensation in 1965, when his back was injured ina “felling’’ accident while he was working for an _ in- dependent. He was forced to cease work in 1974 when faced with definite paralysis arising from his injuries. His dismal economic situation resulted in losing his wife in 1975. The IWA followed through on his claim with two appeals and finally won a substantial back pay award and a good pension. Dear Sirs: I would like somehow to express my gratitude to the members of the I.W.A. Safety Committee, especially Mr. Max Salter, for the patient and understanding way in which these last three years were handled, concerning my claim with the W.C.B. The mental and physical torment of being completely rehabilitated to a new way of life and, lifestyle is in- describable. The many barriers encountered by the W.C.B. were only endured by the understanding and- per- sistent hand of Mr. Salter and the staff of the I.W.A. Safety Committee. The continuing work of Mr. Salter will be forever respected by me and the people whom he has helped. It is gratifying to know that there are people to turn to who represent with dignity the. name of the I.W.A. in helping its members, not only on the job, but off the job also. I hope these few words can express with sincerity my true feelings of overcoming my change of life. I can only hope that Mr. Salter and his staff continue their forever demanding toils in assisting the members of the I.W.A. in their time of need. As a forever grateful member, I wish continued ae to Mr. Salter and his staff. Sincerely yours A.W.A Joseph Convention . delegates charged that the Socred’s plans to bring in legislation to creafe a B.C. Development Corporation without first consulting with interested organizations was bound to have an adverse effect on present crown corporations. The delegates stated that the governement has made it known the public through its elected representatives will have no control over the new corporation. Crown corporations, the Convention argued, must be directed to benefit and protect ne. interests of the people of BC. The delegates moved that the government halt further consideration of the bill, pending consultation with employee-organizations, communities and companies immediately concerned.