10 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER Local 1-405 IWA Concerned with the drastic increase in highway fatalities in B.C., Delegates to the An- nual Delegated Meeting of Local 1-405 IWA, May 3-4 in Nelson, voted to press the provincial government for tougher penalties and controls. Delegates argued _ that stricter controls for drinking drivers would reduce the carnage on the roads. They suggested that impaired drivers for their first offence should be given an automatic fine of 2% of their annual net income and in default one: month imprisonment. In addition to this there would be an automatic licence suspen- sion for one month. The penalties would increase more drasticly for one or more offences. The meeting dealt with over sixty resolutions altogether, approved a number of reports, elected delegates to attend future conventions and con- ferences, and heard from a number of guest speakers. Guests included Regional President Jack Munro, Regional ist Vice-President Wyman Trineer International Secretary-Treasurer Bill Botkin, International Director of Organizer W.D. Murray, Local 1-423 President Bill Schumaker, Local 1-417 Second Vice -President Jack Kerssens, International Assistant Dir- ector of Organization Frank Stich. Bill Botkin in his address explained the new proposed International per capita tax formula which the members would be voting on sometime this month.He told the delegates that the In- ternational was in financial difficulties and that the new formula was badly needed to solve the problem. . He stated that for the past four months operating costs of the International Union have been over $10,000 a month more than it is receiving in per capita dues because of of in- creased costs and inflation. Ley RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS took turns reading the more than sixty resolutions submitted to the meeting. Group left, Len Dergousoff; Klaus Offerman; Lon Stewart; John Paluck, Ist Vice-President; Wayne Nowlin, President. oa _ Conferences. MEMBERS NOMINATING DELEGATES fo the various conferences such as the Regional He concluded his remark with an urgent appeal for the members to support the referendum. Jack -Munro reported’ on coast negotiations and the progress to date. He stated that both sides at the moment were studying each others demands but he expected that - they would get down to hard bargaining in the near future. He then went on to appeal to the members to get out and work for the NDP to ensure that party’s re-election. He said the so-called free en- terprise parties were mounting a massive campaign to defeat the NDP government and labour must not let them be successful. As usual the Officers’ Report gave a detailed description of the work accomplished by the officers and business agents over the past year. This indicated the scope of their activities and the high degree of success in solving the 2 ae APRIL-MAY, 1975 day-to-day problems of the members. In almost every area with the exception of the Local’s finances and the field of safety, the Report noted vast improve- ment from the previous year. A great number of the reso- lutions, like the impaired driv- ing resolution, indicated the social conscience of the dele- gates and their concern and desire to improve conditions around them. The delegates also showed a keen interest in promoting. in- dustrial democracy and strongly approved a resolution calling for the Union to study the feasibility of making as a contract demand, the electing of worker representatives to the Board of Directors of all IWA plants. Owing to the drop in fin- ances, the Local discontinued the annual Banquet but did hold the dance on the Saturday evening which was enjoyed by all in attendance. Convention, International Convention, NDP Convention, REGIONAL PRESIDENT Jack Munro spoke on negotiations and the need for labour to support the NDP government of Dave Barrett. iT = he INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL UNION visitors included left, Frank Stich, International Assistant Director of Organization; Jack Kerssons, 2nd Vice-President of Local 1-417, Kamloops; International Secretary-Treasurer Bill Botkin; International Director of Organ- ization W. D. Murray ; Bill Schumaker, Local 1-423 President, Kelowna. r B.C. Fed. Convention, and Safety