WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER TWENTY -THIRD ANNUAL IWA REGIONAL CONVENTION ' From Page 1 ~ Cyne og table with his representatives, and bargain collectively for an agreement governing wages and working conditions. He Says “No” Now The IWA is the legal representative of a large section of these employees. On all sides our Union will be urged to be conciliatory in our approach, to be reasonable, to examine all the facts, and to have open minds. Evidently, however, there is one standard of conduct for the employees and quite another for the employers. In this instance we have the dominating figure in the employers’ group sounding a most belligerent “‘No”, five months before the event. It is Mr. Clyne who has pre-judged the case who has admitted a strong prejudice in the matter, and who has shown a closed mind toward any democratic “sive and take” in amicable discussion. Perhaps, he doesn’t care, but he should know what workers in the industry said when they read his remarks. They placed the only honest interpretation that could be placed on such remarks. They wonder if Mr. Clyne and his associates are as usual saying “No” before the Union has even decided what its programme is going to be. Is this the usual pre-conditioning of public opinion against our Union? | Are they preparing for a fight before there is any reason for it? Members’ Welfare Disregarded I agree with this interpretation. Mr. Clyne leaves me no alternative. It will be my duty to advise my fellow- members on a course that will safeguard their welfare. I am bound to say that they cannot trust Mr. Clyne with their welfare. The policies advocated by Mr. Clyne exclude con- sideration of a fair deal for the workers in the industry. It is also my duty to direct public attention to the situation created by Mr. Clyne’s remarks. Not only has he taken an uncompromising attitude with reference to any contract improvement, whether of monetary value or not, but he has in addition proposed lower wages as a remedy for the present down-turn in business activity. Conciliation or mediation between conflicting views has no place in Mr. Clyne’s thinking at the present time. It would appear that he prefers the tactics of the prize ring. What Mr. Clyne Really Means If we are mistaken about Mr. Clyne’s views, he should tell us so. When bargaining time comes, he speaks through professional negotiators. As his remarks now stand on the record, he has, in effect, stated: 1. Wage increases have been mainly responsible for the present unemployment. 2. Further wage increases must be refused. 3. Reduced wages are necessary to improve export trade and build domestic prosperity. Surely he does not expect the Canadian public to believe that a wage freeze or wage cuts provide the answer for the present unemployment problem. He offered these measures as a sure panacea for a crisis which threatens this country with one million jobless persons in the next three months. Unemployment in staggering dimensions is on our doorstep now, and is not something remote. . Proposed Remedy Too Late We know just as clearly as Mr. Clyne knows that any change in economic policy that would stimulate export trade as to wipe out unemployment could not have effect in any measurable degree for almost another year. His proposals would in the meantime consign the unemployed only to protracted misery not shared in any degree by the investors in Mr. Clyne’s Company. Even if they could be made to work, there just isn’t time to test the validity of Mr. Clyne’s economic theories. This disregard of human distress is not i dit. s ates Clyne ignores the advice of nearly all the reputable economists and the facts supplied by the Dominion Bureau see ““CLYNE” page 6 Swedish President States Political Action Vital For Trade Unionists “Our experience in Sweden has been that it is not possible through trade union efforts alone to achieve social justice.” This statement highlighted the address of fraternal delegate Charles Winroth before the recent Annual IWA Regional Convention. The guest speaker, who is Presi- dent of the trade union organiza- tion, which in Sweden corresponds to the IWA, outlined the relations between the trade union move- ment in that country and the Social-Democratic Party. & CHARLES WINROTH The Swedish trade union move- ment, L.O. or Lands Organiza- tion embraces 44 different unions, with a total membership of 1,400,- Winroth of Sweden said: I bring States. 000 out of a population of 7% million persons. Civil servants, office workers and others have formed an organization with an- other 350,000 members. All Workers Organized Three organizations exist in the forest products indust:y. A 42,000- member union includes the log- gers, river drivers, and raftsmen. Sawmill, plywood and furniture plant workers belong to a 65,000- member organization. Workers in the pulp and paper section form another union. All three join in what is called a cartel, through which they take joint action in dealing with contracts and mutual problems. The speaker claimed that in his homeland, virtually all the workers are organized in trade unions. When. presented to the IWA Regional Convention, Charles the warmest greetings from my colleagues at the Union office in Gavle, Sweden, and our Union officials, who at their last meeting before I left for America, begged of me to bring you their greetings and well wishes. I thank you personally, your officials, and your Local Unions for your kind invitation, your many courtesies, and your generosity, received by me here both in British Columbia and in the United I have had the privilege of meeting many of my countrymen, and some of their descendants. This has given me many happy interludes, much to remember, and a great deal to think about. I have received much information of value regarding the forest techniques you have developed here. I owe you my deepest gratitude. At the outset, bitter opposition at the hands of the employers was experienced. Sail President Winroth, “During the 20’s and 30’s, many tougn battles were fought. The resistauce is now broken, and the unions are march- ing forward. The employers as well as the workers have strong organizations, and they both have great respect for one another’s strength.” Evidently, Swedish trade union problems are akin to those of unions in British Columbia, as the country is largely dependent on export trade. For this reason re- liance is placed on the work of a well-established Conciliation Board to avoid the repetition of conflicts for labour and manage- ment. Political Action Vital Winroth expressed the belief that only through political action could a situation be righted under which glaring differences in living standards existed. The Social-Democratic Party with which the trade union move- ment is associated, enjoys a mem- bership of over 90,000 members, Local 1-85 B.C. Fed. Delegates Local 1-85, IWA, delegates elected to attend the B.C. Fed- eration of Labour Convention in Vancouver, October 24, to 28, are as follows—W. F. Allen, J. A. Moore, J. Squires, M. Cor- biel, G. Erickson, D. Van Appe- lin, G. Ingram, T. Barnett, M. Landry, Alternate delegates are E. Foxcroft and B. Ander- son. ee f ART DAMSTROM President of Local 1-405, IWA Cranbrook, the Convention host Local. and has ruled the country with- out an absolute majority in the upper and lower houses of the Swedish Parliament. In the recent election however, a clear majority was gained at the polls. Results Beneficial L.O., the trade union federation, and the Social Democratic Party are distinctly separate organiza- tions. As described by Winroth, “The nature of the two is such that the interest of the one is the interest of the other. As a rule those active in the party are also active in the Unions.” | “Cooperation is excellent. Co- operation between the two is a must to be able to solve our prob- lems and maintain a solid Jabour front.” “The trade union movement has profited by this ideal situation Loth as to wages and employ- ment.” Nothing wears like oy (fz LEADING STORES REAL leather