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IWA SUPPORTS FIRED LENKURT EMPLOYEES

The Regional Executive Board unani-
mously pledged active province-wide sup-
port of the demands made by the B.C.
Federation of Labour and the Vancouver
Labour Council for a judicial public in-
quiry into all the circumstances relating to
the dismissal of approximately 200 em-
ployees at Lenkurt Electric Ltd., Burnaby,
and the incitement caused by RCMP and
Pinkerton agents provocateur, to create
disturbances in the vicinity.

The Board took strong exception to
legal proceedings exposing Union mem-
bers fo serious charges at which they were
not represented.

The Regional Executive Board unani-
mously recommended to all Local Unions

to support the B.C. Federation in its appeal
for financial aid for the dismissed Lenkurt
employees. The Federation will also use

the money to provide defence for those
accused by the RCMP of offences.

Regional President, Jack Moore, said,
“The members of the Council were highly
indignant over employer and police ac-
tivities which suggest incitement to
violence in order to penalize trade union-
ists in sympathy with the plight of the dis-
charged workers.

"All circumstances leading up to the
disturbances should be fully aired in jus-

tice fo the accused. The evidence on which
ex parte injunctions were issued should be
disclosed before contempt proceedings are
commenced.

“Normally the law grants a preliminary
hearing to persons charged with criminal
acts. Action has been taken to brand as
criminals, unionists who have led law-
abiding lives, and are of good repute in
their communities.

“A judicial inquiry conducted in public
will ensure impartial justice to all con-
cerned and avert the danger of still more
serious labour protests.”

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