Snare of ‘compulsory arbitratio HE UNITED Fishermen and Allied Workers Union is facing a major battle to maintain the right of fishermen to strike. A joint federal-provin-— cial committee on price dis- putes in the fishing industry has recommended that compul- sory arbitration be imposed on West Coast fishermen. The joint committee proposes that the government of Canada or the province of B.C. or both enact legislation to provide for: (a) compulsory proceedings for disputes; (b) compulsory super- vised voting on mediation pro- posals (c) compulsory arbitra- tion to finalize prices and work- ing conditions where terms of settlement proposed by a média- : -_ tor are rejected. The joint committee further proposed that the Combines Act be invoked against fisher- men to prohibit picketing or publication of unfair lists, and that sympathy strikes by fisher- men be outlawed. While not proposing these compulsory proceedings against fish plant and fish transport workers the committee suggests that these workers should nego- tiate earlier in the year. “Earlier in the year’ no doubt means before fish runs are on. This of course would take a good deal of pressure off the fish- ing companies. Taken in their totality the recommendations, suggestions and implications of the report of the joint federal-provincial committee boil down to stripp- ing the fishermen and allied workers of their collective bar- gaining power, The joint committee argues its anti-labor case on the pre- mise ‘that as a common pro- perty resource the government must see that the fish are har- vested.” * * * At almost the same moment that this unjust report was tabled, Labor Minister Rowntree began piloting an act to pro- vide for the settlement by arbi- tration of labor disputes in hos- pitals through the Ontario legis- lature. The act provides for compulsory and binding arbi- tration and prohibits strikes. Labor Minister Rowntree ar- gues his case for compulsory arbitration on the grounds that “the uninterrupted operation of hospitals is obviously the type of social interest . .. needing legislative action.” * * * It could be said that both arguments are only shabby at- tempts at rationalizing highly unjust actions. But this would be too simple an explanation. Rather they should be viewed as legal snares set up to trap the various sections of the trade union* movement when and if such trapping is consi- dered timely by the monopolies. For, if fish are a “common property resource,” so are all natural resources. If compul- sory arbitration will facilitate the “harvesting” of fish on the companies terms it should ren- der equally . good service in “harvesting” wood products, ores and so on. Tf hospitals are a “social in- terest” (and they are) so are all public utilities. Name one that isn’t. For that matter basic steel is a “social interest”. So are other branches of industry. * « * The trade union movement must defeat any and all at- tempts to limit the right to strike no matter what the pre- text. If it should so happen “See ... if it wasn't for me you’d drown!” that compulsory afm, laws are enacted, no effotty be spared to secure Wh peal. For the right to 7) the very essence of ¢ bargaining. It is to be hoped thal® cal unions, central labor cils and federations, UY J and the CNTU, enter the! off it “intends to fight for! tence with all the 1") strength and unity” i a sesses. 3 (The Fisherman “e : These frisky thoroughbred yearlings show signs of spring fever on a horse farm in the Albion Hills north of Toronto. Planning a trip? LET US MAKE ALL YOUR ARRANGEMENTS TRAVEL 615 SELKIRK AVE. - WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - JU. 6-1886 | a UZ AGENCY Wr Peareon-calls the White Hous By MEL COLBY HE Prime Minister hesitated a moment and then made a direct dial call to the White House. “Mr. President, this is Lester Pearson.” “How are you, Les?” boomed the president. “And how are things over at Office and Sup- ply?” “Office and Supply?” asked Mr. Pearson. 5 “Of course. You’re the admin- istrator for governmental Office and Supply, aren’t you?” asked the president. “You know, pen nibs, blotters, paper clips and that sort of thing.” “Tm the premier of Canada,” snapped Mr. Pearson. “Oh, that Lester Pearson,” said the president. “I remember now. You visited the LBJ ranch not long ago. You’re the fellow who wears the bow tie and al- ways says ‘yes’ even before I’ve finished a suggestion. Right?” “Well,” admitted the prime minister. “I do wear a bow tie.” “That’s settled then,” said the president. “Now what can I do for you? Always happy to oblige a satellite. If you’re having trouble with Quebec I can al- ways send a couple of divisions of marines.” “No, no,’ said Mr. Pearson hurriedly, “It’s a fellow we want extradited, a man who lives in Washington.” “What’s he wanted for?” ask- ed the president warily. “Extortion, fraud, conspiracy,. bigamy, plus mopery and gawk,” explained the prime minister. “Quite a list of misdemean- ors,” admitted the president. “He sounds like someone in your official government circle. What’s his name?” “Elmer Fosco,”’ Mr. Pearson told him. “Fosco,” mused the president. “That name rings a bell. Let me glance through the papers on “my desk. Ah, here it is, Elmer Fosco. Say, are you sure you have the right name?” “No mistake about it,’ Mr. Pearson told him. “Well,” said the president slowly, “he has a good record here. Intimate of J. Edgar Hoov- er, reformed member of the White Citizens Council, resigned fromthe Ku Klux Klan, friend of the China Lobby. Staunch anti-Communist, chairman of the Christmas Fund for Home- less Cats. You’re sure he’s the man?” “Pretty sure,” faltered. “Now look, Lester,” said the president, ‘“couldn’t we forget about this matter? After all, if he’s guilty the charges are only misdemeanors. Bigamy, fraud and the rest of it happen every day.. Now if he’d been guilty of teaching Marxist philosophy to a Boy Scout troop, well, we’d just hav to turn him over.” “We'd still like to have him,” said Mr. Pearson weakly. “Of course you would,” sooth- ed the president. “But in any case it’s impossible; he left to- day on an important mission to South Vietnam as financial ad- visor to the present government. Mr. Pearson I think it’s the same at tration that was in pow’ | terday.” iq “Financial advisor?” nm Mr. Pearson. “But the my a record of being 1008 other people’s money.” “He had an unfortuntty ginning,” admitted the Pg “But he’s 57 now and a @ : man. Besides, he’s a men the CIA, a trusted adviy the American Way ob : What do you say we ~~ matter drop?” a use There was a long p@ Ke then the president bre” “Well, that settles it, le the iron ore, electrical 2” power coming this way drop into the ranch agalt time. I’ll recognize you bow tie.” ; j SWOT a Se Poverty kills a Poverty is the third prin 3 cause of death in New City, according to Dr James, the city’s health @ sioner. ¥ More than 13,000 pets? killed every year by t James also estimated e 1,400,000 people—a fifth York’s people—live in DOOR PRIZE When the Traffic Cout told the motorist to hate his receipt after he pal a4 the man snarled, “Why ~— RP” PI “When you get ten at the clerk smiled, “y9¥ bicycle.” _ pot) April 9, 1965—PACIFIC TRIBUNE :