CD, Galcipmaae Vol. XLVIII No. 6 VANCOUVER, B.C. CLC CONVENTION REAFFIRMS POLITICAL ACTION PROGRAM Delegates to the CLC 18th Constitutional Convention held in May overwhelmingly reaffirmed the labour movement’s commit- ment to a political action program which . focusses on electing NDP governments at all levels. Stating that the need for political action by the labour movement has never been greater, the resolution asserts that “our economy is in shambles, our resources are being plundered, and our people devastated by unemployment becuase of improper planning by old line party governments.” But unlike other resolutions passed by the CLC delegates endorsing the NDP as the DEEP SOUTH IWA MEMBERS WIN AGREEMENT Twelve hundred IWA members in Region No. 5, in the Southern States locked out by the Georgia-Pacific Company during the past seven months, have returned to work with a new three-year agreement which provides for substantial wage increases and fringe benefits. Terms of the agreement call for a ten percent wage increase in the first year with nine and one-half percent increases in the following two years. The minimum wage increases will be sixty cents per hour each year. Fringe benefits include — fully paid health and welfare benefits; a $250,000 category adjustment pool for the nine plants in the Crossett Division; and the same expiration dates of the agreement (one of the major demands of the Union). PERMIT No, 2075 | __ VANCOUVER, B.C. | 7859 Commercia! Or. Vancouver F.C RETURN REQUESTED THE LUMBER WORKER political arm of the labour movement, this resolution, in the words of one delegate, outlined the “‘nuts and bolts” of labour’s commitment. CLC president Dennis McDermott, in a press conference following the convention, said the labour movement is embarking upon “political mobilization that is un- precedented in our history.” Emphasizing on-the-job canvass as the key to involving rank and file members in political discussions, the resolution noted that the canvass must be based on the co-operative effort of the affiliates co- ordinated through the Congress’ Political Education Department. Included in the co-ordinating effort is the establishment of provincial, regional and labour council co-ordinators along with developing a network of local union can- vassers. As well, leaders of affiliates were encouraged to “address their members on an ongoing basis on important legislative issues.” Stressing the crucial role of local union leadership in implementing the on-the-job canvass campaign, the resolution notes that their responsibility is not limited to select- ing canvassers but must also entail arrang- ing training sessions to familiarize the canvassers with the political issues at hand. In addition, the CLC is not limiting its involvement to federal elections but is encouraging provincial federations of labour to be active in provincial elections and labour councils to be involved in muni- cipal elections. The resolution calls on all sectors of the movement to involve themselves in on-the- job canvass, noting that the CLC will seek changes in existing laws that prohibit the public sector from participating in political activities. ‘‘No sector of our movement should be shackled from talking frankly with the membership on the political choi- ces facing them,” the resolution states. The program of action also commits the labour movement to actively participating in developing NDP policies while at the same time it encourages increased union affiliations to the NDP and urges more trade unionists to run as NDP candidates. NEW FEDERAL FORESTRY CHIEF The federal government has taken a positive step to improve management of Canada’s forests by appointing Les Reed, considered the foremost forestry consultant in the country, assistant deputy environ- ment minister in charge of the Canadian Forestry Service. In an interview with Vancouver Sun writer Eli Sopow, Reed stated that Canada is running short of timber and the blame lies with governments, industry and foresters. He stressed, however, that with the co- operation of the provinces and adequate funding, proper management of the forests could be realized. ISSN 0049-7371 IWA International president Keith Johnson (right) congratulates Arnie Christensen, former president of Local 1-207 IWA, Edmonton, Alberta, on being the only active Charter Member of the Local Union. The ceremony took place during the Local’s Annual Delegated Meeting June 7, in Edmonton. MUNRO REBUKES WATERLAND The statement in the Legislature by Tom Waterland, Minister of Forests, questioning the integrity of the IWA in reporting that a number of forest companies were processing chips from ‘cants’, has drawn a bitter rebuke from regional president Jack Munro. In a letter to Waterland, Munro pointed out that the IWA in requesting last May for an immediate full-scale investigation under the Public Inquiries Act into timber utilization, had submitted proof in the way of pictures, of how some forest companies were destroying prime timber. He went on to say in his letter, “Your statement that the pictures which you have show the logs are in the headrig and not going into chippers is completely and totally ludicrous. Do you honestly think that we, as an organization, would send you pictures of ‘cants’ after the headrig had made its cuts if those cants were not going into chippers? Do you think that when we tour a mill we can’t tell the difference between a mill making lumber and a mill that is being used solely for the production of chips?” Munro also brought attention to an article in the Business section of the Vancouver Province, which verified the IWA charges of timber waste. He concluded his letter by suggesting that perhaps under the circumstances Water- land would reconsider his refusal for an immediate investigation. © = Canadian EX Congress ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE JUNE-JULY, 1980