THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER

LOCAL 1-417

ANNUAL DELEGATED MEETING

from page 6

makes good sense is because Bowmounics are be-
coming more consolidated, they are spreading out
‘their operations into low wage areas such as the
Southern United States. Ron Roley, the International
President’s standard query to anyone who feels
that International Unions have outlived their use-
fulness is —

‘What good is it to you if you fight for higher
wages and a better standard of living in B.C.
today and tomorrow your company closes its
B.C. operation down because they can produce
lumber or plywood in Alabama for wages like
$1.15 per hour?’

“It’s not only good common sense to belong to
an International Union it’s a matter of the preserva-
- tion of wages and benefits we have fought for over

KEVIN KELLY

New Financial Secretary

the years. It’s also a matter of assisting your fellow
working man to become organized. Organization of
the unorganized and Unionism should know no
boundaries.”

Other sections of the Report dealt with arbitra-
tion cases, organization and safety. Due to the
Interior strike, the Local had made little progress
in organization. It had, however, better success in
winning a number of grievance problems for the
members.

There were no fatalities in the Local during the
past year but on-the-job accidents showed no im-
provement. The Workmen’s Compensation Board
was scored by the officers who stated that their
experience in dealing with the WCB has not been
the best to say the least.

The Report concluded by paying tribute to long-
time Local officer John Kelly. It stated:

“This Officers’ Report would not be complete if
we did not extend our special thanks to one of our
fellow officers, Brother John Kelly, who is unable
to be here today becouse of ailing health. John, who
has been in the hospital since December, 1968, was
the President of Local 1-417, 1.W.A. from 1952 until

INEER
Regional 2nd Vice-President

BILL SCHUMAKER
Local 1-423 President

JOHN HACHEY
Local 1-357 Ist Vice-President

he stepped down to 1st Vice-President in 1965. He
was one of the anchormen for the Local Union in
its early years and his knowledge and guidance
have seen us through many troubled times. We
know that everyone joins with us in paying a special
thanks to John for a tremendous job well done. We
only hope that he gets well again so that he can
enjoy the retirement he so richly deserves.”

At the Banquet held on the evening of the 19th,
the former Local President Bob Schlosser who was
recently appointed International Assistant Director
of Organization, was presented by the Local with a
polaroid camera in appreciation of his service and
devotion to the Local Union.

Following the Banquet eight hundred members
attended the Woodworkers’ Ball in the Kamloop’s
Arena where they thoroughly enjoyed the evening
dancing to the music of the Green Valley Boys.

LYLE ANDERSON
Kamloops & District Labour
Council President

JACK MUNRO
Regional 3rd Vice- President

ie

¥
se