rime id mah 1) tld a dBi)

‘

Photo shows Tor°nto jobless demonstrating for work and Avages during one of the “minor
recessions” a few years ago. Now that the 1957 “recession”threatens to become a 1958 “de-

pression” trade unions from coast to coast are organizing

meetings on

unemplcymenet to

force Ottawa to ac. Rallies have been held in Windsor and Vancouver, and Toronto Labor
Council is sponsoring a conference on unem »loyment this month.

‘We want jobs’ cry at VLC rally:
Tory MP panned for platitudes

A demand that the government speed action to create work was unanimously endorsed
by 1,000 unionists at a meeting on unemployment in Georgia Auditorium last Friday spon-
sored by Vancouver Labor Council. And the temper of the employed and unemployed was
clearly demonstrated when groups of workers shouted “Sit down!” at Tory MP John Taylor
(originator of the “Follow John” slogan in the recent federal elections) as he tried to skirt
the issue of jobs and wages by claiming that under the Diefenbaker government “employment

is at an all-time high.”

“Never mind that! How
about jobs for the unem-
ployed?” shouted members of

the audience.

Chairman Lloyd Whalen,
VLC ‘president, sprang to the
microphone and warned
“disturbances,”
pointing that the MPs,
MLAs civic representa-
tives invited as guest speakers
must be given a fair hearing.

Mood of the audience, how-
ever, was for fewer platitudes
from the platform and more
action by Ottawa to stem the
rising tide of unemployment.

Labor’s program for the un-

against further
out

and

Y
let form and enthusiastically
endorsed by the meeting, call-
ed for an increase in unem-
ployment insurance benefits,
home-building projects, pub-
lic works, and increased trade.
Said the VLC leaflet:
“Thousands of workers in
Vancouver and the lower
mainland are faced
with the threat of losing their
homes, furniture and auto--
mobiles because of the unem-

district

ployed crisis.

“To the boss and his elected
representatives, this is a slight
recession or a_ levelling-off
period, but the worker who
has saved and scratched for
years to get the down-payment
on his home now faces the pos-
sibility of losing it, sees it in
its proper light; catastrophe to
himself and his family, and a
disgrace to our community.

“We propose:

“1, There is $862 million in
the unemployment insurance

fund. Labor demands that
benefits be increased 100 per-
cent, payable as soon as the
worker is laid .off his job and
payable until his job is avail-
able again. Eliminate long line-
ups at National Employment
Service offices by mailing
benefits to the workers’ homes.
“2. There are 163,542 houses
needed in Canada. According to
the latest figures in popula-
tion increase in relation to
housing needs, in the period
December 1, 1956 to June 1,
1957 Canada dropped behind
23,542 housing units. This is in
addition to the 140,000 already
needed, according to the sur-
vey made by Canadian Labor
Congress. Lahor demands that
additional money be made
available immediately for the
building of low-cost homes.

Toronto Labor Council
calls jobless parley

TORONTO

A city-wide trade union con-
ference on unemployment will
be called by the Toronto Labor
Council shortly.

Delegates attending council’s
last regular meeting endorsed
the report of the Political Edu-
cation Committee which pro-
posed such a conference “to
talk about unemployment and
demand action on the prob-
lem.”

A representative from the
Canadian Labor Congress and
both the federal and provin-
cial ministers of labor will be
invited to attend.

“3. Public works, Schools:
B.C.’s population under five
years of age in 1956 was 25
percent greater than in 1951,
indicating need for 25 percent
more schools in next five years
than in last five. Labor de-
mands that these schools. be
built now as a means of al-
leviating unemployment. There

‘is still a great shortage of hos-

pitals, roads and bridges as
well as the need for a slum
clearance program and labor
says, ‘Let’s do it now.’

“4.-Trade. Asia’s one biliion
peoples, inéluding the People’s
Republic of China and India
stand as the greatest potential
market in the world today. In
accordance with the policy of
the Canadian Labor Congress,
the B.C. Federation of Labor
and the Vancouver and Dis-
trict Labor Council, labor de-
mands the immediate recogni-
tion of the People’s Republic
of China, the opening of trade
with all Asian countries so
that Vancouver port , once
again, will blossom forth as
the true Gateway to the
Orient. ;

“This means jobs.

“Jobs for the lumber worker
producing build
millions of homes for these
people, ties for the
tremendous railway building
program of both India and
China. Jobs for the longshore-
men who load the cargo, and
for the shipyard worker who
builds and repairs the ships.
This means jobs and pros-
perity for all.”

lumber to

railway

De ORs. a
Job slump alarms}

SEATTLE
With the job situation, :grow-
ing steadily worse, the Pacific
Northwest and the Territory
of Alaska face the bleakest
holiday season in years. Here
are highlights as concern
grows in certain sections of
U.S, labor and government.
@ An emergency conference
of all general organizers of
the Teamsters union was held
in Seattle with unemployment
and the union’s organizationai
drive as two main points on
the agenda.

@ The Alaska Federation of
Labor declares that the Terri-
tory faces “tough going” this
winter and warned that any
influx of job seekers from the
states would “raise havoc.”

@® The number of jobiess
drawing unemployment com-
pensation in Washington jump-
ed another 4,500 in a week and
has now reached the 43,000
mark. The department pre-
dicts total unemployment will
be 100,000 by Jan. 1.

@ Gov. Albert Rosellini told
the Industrial Safety Confer-
ence in Olympia that the eco-
nomic situation is “serious”
and jobs must be found.

@® Cutbacks in government
employment have added Kit-
sap county to the areas of
serious unemployment. The

ing 18” x 12”.

copies 30c each.

‘Vancouver, B.C.

For an insight in to New China Subscribe to

China Reconstructs

An illustrated monthly in the English language.
Articles on industry, mining, science, archeology,
conservation, science, education, art, drama, lit-
erature music, cinema etc.

Richly illustrated with photographs, drawings etc.
Pictorial and Cover pages in colour.
Regular Features—Special large supplements.

: \

SPECIAL OFFER — to subscribers. Free—a ;
|
|

production of “Two Sung Dynasty Paintings” A»
960-1279 handsomely mounted on a folder measv*

SUBSCRIPTION RATES —- All subscriptions received
before Jan. Ist., 1958 will receive old rate of $2.0 &
year. After that—annual rate will be $3.00. Individu®

Enter Subscriptions through

People’s Co-op Bookstore Ass’t

337 W. Pender St.

December 6, 1957 — PACIFIC TRIBUNE—PA®

: Northwest, Alask

Bremerton Navy Yard is
county’s main industry. Un
ployment is more than douv
that of a year ago and is §
ting worse. — }

In announcing the confél
ence Teamster President Da®
Beck said that, “unempld/
ment is growing all over
country.” He said every §
eral organizer had been ¥
structed to bring in a detail@S
report on the situation in
area. (The Seattle daily pape |s
suppressed any mention of
employment: as an issue bef
the conference.)

Governor Rosellini has
nounced a five-point jobs PM
gram which calls for quid)!
starts on every possible stat!
highway and building prog!”
and a request to the fede
government for a “shelf” ™
jobs projects. This week ©
charged discriminatory frele”
rates are responsible for hal
pering development of 2
versified industry in the st@ 4

|

tt

It is too early to seé
holiday spending will prov Jr
any apyreciable number
jobs. Nationally retail
slipped during November.
ports from Seattle stores V
greatly. Some say they ona
business to compare with }
year. Others complain
persons crowding the st
are mainly “lookers.”>

CHINA RECONSTRUCTS will be increased in si# |
with the New Year, so this is an excellent chance fot 4a
splendid bargain at only $2.00 per year. ]

||

MA. 5836

(B.C. Residents add 10c additional for sales tax)