B.C. LUMBER WORKER > May 17, 1951 LONGER WORK WEEK NO INFLATION CURE Geo. Mitchell Reports Tt NION’S B it Vital To Win Interior AZ all points visited by me in my recent trip through the Interior prior to the Cranbrook Wages and Contract Con- ference I found evidence of the pressing need for a determined and organized effort to improve the lumber workers’ wages and working conditions. I found the workers every- where eager to put up a real! struggle this year to gain the same conditions as at the Coast. This was con- firmed by the de- cision of the con- ference on May 6, to demand the same contract terms as at the been prolonged for over four months, because of the attitude taken by the Bell Tie and Pole Co. Compromise offers made by the Local Union“in a reasonable bargaining attitude have proved fruitless. It is now apparent that more drastic action must be con- sidered. While in this area I also visited a number of new operations, ee eeeie which have just started, and a which will need the attention of tontract, no an organizer within the next few work. : weeks, Travelling through the Green- wood-Grand Forks-Midway dis- I believe that we should warn trict I found many small the operators that the [WA mem- A telegram of protest to Finance Minister Abbott was authorized by the delegates at the May 8 meeting of the Greater Vancouver and Lower Mainland Labor Council be- cause of his statement that in- flation could be cured by means of longer hours of work. The Minister’s statement’ was denounced as “infamous” and one calculated to cause confusion. Price increases had not been caused by the wage demands of organized labor, it was declared, as any wage increases had never overtaken spiralling prices. Price control, with subsidies and excess profits tax were urged. President Lloyd Whalen re- ported raiding by the AFL Operating Engineers at the Van- couver Division of B.C. _Forest Products Ltd. He stated flatly that if the AFL Union is certified in this plant, that members of Local 1-217 would refuse“to take their steam. Fight trict organization. would back their struggle, they took fresh heart and displayed a much more militant attitude with re- gard to job grievances. An examination of prices throughout the Interior revealed that food, clothing and shelter, and all necessities of living, have shown a marked increase in cost. It is amazing that the workers’ families have been able to eke out any kind of existence with the poor wages and deplorable working conditions. Bad Faith The employers have given no consideration to seniority pro- visions of the contract. On many points they have refused to ob- serve the contract terms. This spells trouble. The membership has spoken, bers in the Interior are not going to stand by this year with noth- ing but promises of consideration which they donot get. By visiting as many operations as possible in the company of Local Union officials I gained first-hand knowledge of their problems. After a conference with the officers of Local 1-423, Kelowna, I accompanied President Rene Bourcette and Plant Chairman Bill Fox to Lumby where we in- spected the operations of Bell Tie and Pole Co. and Interior Pole Yard. Negotiations with both these companies over a wage scale has jable to address a well attended operations which have not yet been organized. The larger opera- tions near Greenwood are just getting into full production. At Nelson I was met by Inter- national Organizer Pete Ber- kosha, and attended a Sub-Local meeting. I also met with the em- ployees of the Match-Block Plant. Glacier’ Lumber Co. was also visited by us. En route to Cranbrook I was meeting of lumber workers at Jaffray, and inspected the opera- tion of Galloway Lumber Co. at Galloway. Fresh Hope When the workers at these plants were assured that the Dis- and have told their negotiating committee that they want Coast terms, and that they are pre- pared to fight for them, ‘We should, therefore, pledge all the resources of the IWA to support Interior Local Unions in their fight to gain desperately needed conditions for these workers. Protest Continues Announcement was made that all local M.L.A.’s would be re- quested to attend a meeting under the auspices of the joint steering committee at the Labor Temple, May 29. will be expected e position with regard to the ii crease in Hospital Insurance pre- charges. Expulsion Instructions received from Canadian Congress of Labor garding the expulsion of the Fur and Leather Workers for betrayal of Congress policies were acted upon. It was made clear that delegates from the Union could not be seated upon any.chartered body of the Congress. Lost Trails Will Kjetel Thompson or anyone knowing his where- abouts please communicate with O, Hommen, Box 114, 205 Carrall St., Vancouver, B.C, Any person with knowl- edge of the present where- abouts of George Ferguson is requested to communicat wth his father at The R treat, Nanoose Bay, B.C. SP. ECIAL WEEKLY RATES RECORDS WESTERN Shotgun Boogie Rhumba Boogie There's Been a Change in Me On Top of Old Smoky Chew Tobacco Rag POPULAR Mocking Bird Hill How High the Moon Sparrow in the Tree Top Beautiful Brown Eyes L.P.’s - 45's - 78's POSTAGE PAID ON ANYTHING OVER $5.00 <> Wilbeck's Radio RADIOS, RECORDS, APPLIANCES and REPAIRS 2258 W. 4th Ave. Vancouver BA, 4523 3364 Cambie St. Vancouver FA, 8521 2 Stores to Serve You Publication date of the next Issue of the B.C. LUMBER WORKER is Jume 7. Deadline for ad copy is May 31, and for new copy June 1, Workers of B.C. PUBLISHED TWICE MONTHLY BY INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS OF AMERICA (CIO-CCL) B.C. DISTRICT COUNCIL No. 4. DISTRICT OFFICERS: J. Stewart Alsbury Joe Morris Stuart M. Hodgson Fred Fieber President ...... Ist Vice-President . 2nd Vice-President . Brd_ Vice-President Secretary-Treasurer Sates SC Mlcahalt International Board ‘Tom G. MacKenzie Address all communications to GEORGE H, MITCHELL, Secretary-Treasurer 45 Kingsway - Phone FAirmont 8807-8 Vancouver, B,C. Subscription Rates...........$1.50 per annum Advertising Representative... A. Spencer Authorized as Second Class Mall, Post Office Dept., Ottawa 26,000 COPINS PRINTED IN THIS ISSUE MArine 7235 1221 GRANVILLE STREET VANCOUVER, B.C, Under New Management Sarre 106, rer 159 ©1951 Fx Gl Care “When I'ma civilian again, I'll sure appreciate union bargaining power anda good grievance committee!” Cash Waiting For Adkins The Prudential Insurance Co. is seeking information regarding the present where- abouts of Leonard W. or William L. 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