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B.C. LUMBER WORKER

In Sask.

WAGES DOUBLED

In three years, a run-down box factory in Regina, Sask., employing about 50 people, has grown into a highly efficient sawmill with 125 employees whose wages have doubled— under government manage- ment.

It is the’ Saskatchewan Box Factory at Prince Albert, run by John Harrop, manager of the Crown Corporation.

Sales in 1950 were $513,500, compared to $254,000 in 1947, while production rose from 3,- 715,000 board feet of lumber sawed in 1947 to 6,500,000 in 1950, the second largest output of any sawmill in the province.

The factory was expropriated by the Saskatchewan government at the end of 1945 after a long history of anti-labor activity and defiance of both federal and pro- vincial labor laws by the previous management.

Defied Law

While the factory was still in private hands, representatives named by a CCL union were ap- pointed the bargaining agents of the employees under the old fed- eral regulations, PC 1003. The manager, however, refused to ne- gotiate with these bargaining agents and for more than a year defied all attempts by the fed- erally appointed Labor Relations Board to make him bargain in accordance with the law.

Early in 1945 the Saskatche- wan Trade Union Act came into force and the box factory came under the jurisdiction of the new provincial Labor Relations Board. The management of the factory still refused to bargain with the union representing its employees and for six ‘months defied the provincial board in the same way as it had previously defied the federal board.

Technical Dodge

The provincial board then rec- ommended to the government that a controller should be ap- pointed to run the factory until the management was prepared to obey the law. The government notified the manager that it had received this recommendation and invited him to meet with the gov- ernment, if he wished, to present his side of the story.

The manager accepted this in- vitation but asked for a post- ponement of the date of the meeting. He then took advantage of the postponement to make a technical change in the ownership of the factory, which made the appointment of a controller legal- ly impossible. Thereupon, the government expropriated the fac- tory under the Saskatchewan Crown Corporations Act.

First-Class Now

What the government took over was a run-down factory em- ploying about 50 people. It has now built it into a highly efficient sawmill with 125 employees whose wage rates are about dou- ble those paid by the old manage- ment.

As the factory uses much sal- vaged timber which would other- wise be wasted, it fits well into the forest management program of the Department of Natural Resources. Re-arrangement of the plant and installation of a new re-saw machine were credit- ed by Mr. Harrop for production increases. Further expansion is being considered.

Labor Gains

Municipal elections in New Zealand show that the Labor party there is making 2 come- back after its defeat in the re- cent’ federal elections when they lost control of the House of Commons.

In Christchurch, a Labor mayor was elected and 12 out of 19 council seats were won.

As in Canada, the Labor party fights municipal. elections- with its normal campaign machinery while the right wing parties are organized in “non-partisan citi- zen’s associations.”

OFFICERS’ REPORT, 1-217

Year-End Review Praises Members; Set Sights For ’51

Officers’ report for 1950 of the largest Local in the Inter- national, Local 1-217, Vancouver, demonstrates to the full the great strides made in organization, administration, safety, finances and other activities during the past year.

In October of 1950, the mem- bership stood at an all-time high of 6,273 members, as against 4,177 in the same month in 1949. The average membership for the first 11 months of the year was 5,054. In January, 1950, the total membership was 3,778.

“A Good Year”

“very member,” says the re- port, “should feel proud of his or her part in the growth of our Local Union.

“The increased membership, a large number of them being transient workers, is’ comparable to the setting up of a new local union. Problems of administra- tion and service in connection with this increase have been tem- porary, and for the most part, have been successfully ironed out.”

“In looking back over 1950,” it continues, “we have seen our organization grow both in mem- bership and prestige to heights never before reached.” ~

The report then goes on to summarize wages and contract negotiations for 1950, which re- sulted “in. one of the greatest victories ever enjoyed by the IWA.”

“Your officers point with pride to Local 1-217, and the import- ant role our membership played in assisting the District in win- | ning this victory.

All Set to Strike

“Shop stewards, plant commit- tees were organized to their peak and in every plant and in every zone, the strike machine was geared and ready for instant motion.”

The Local points in passing to the complete capitulation of the WIUC, “the phony political ani- mal of the Labor-Progressive party.

The report records, the tre- mendous victory in the furni- ture industry. After breakdown of negotiations, the member- ship voted more than 87 per- cent to go on strike, and at the 1ith hour the union was able to negotiate a 10 cent wage in- crease, four statutory holidays, equal pay for equai work, 40 hour week, union security as in the Coast agreement, and rest periods, thus averting the strike.

Solidarity Counts

“Again we must proudly point to the solidarity of the member- ship and thank the job stewards and committee men for a job well done. The furniture workers now have one of the better contracts enjoyed within the CCL.”

The report continues, “When notified by the Board of Indus- trial Relations that a hearing was being held regarding the minimum rates for engineers, Lo- cal 1-217 started the ball rolling, meetings were hele and a mini- mum wage scale ranging: from $1.51 to $1.81 was proposed.

a “We feel,” says the report,

that the original 60-cent mini- mum is not realistic, is discri- minatory and downright ridicu- Jous, and trust that the enquiry gaye favorable reaction to our recommendation as submitted by the District officers.”

Dealt, with, too, was the at- tempt during the year to band filers and fitters into an associa- tion outside the IWA. This was felt to be a direct threat to the industrial set-up. One meeting was held by the alleged associa- tion, and as time progressed it was apparent the craft move was being made throughout the Dis- trict.

Problems Admitted

No doubt, the report states,

there were problems, but the lo-

cal immediately accepted the challenge, called meetings of the

filers’ committee to prepare

1

recomendations for acceptance or rejection,

‘These recommendations will go to the Wages and Contract Con- ference of the district in March.

The attempted set-up of an outside association is now a thing of the past.

“Thus, once again,” state the officers, “the Local has assisted jn assuring the membership of the District that strength lies in one organization and not a dozen small ones.”

Problems of workers in the plywood industries were met in the form of a conference where a plan was drawn up, and it is felt the results of this conference will later be enjoyed by all work- ers concerned.

71 Contracts

Nine additional certifications were gained in 1950. Contracts have been signed with 71 plants throughout the Local. Individual contracts have been negotiated with plants not represented by Forest Industrial Relations and gains made of Union Shop, paid holidays, wage revisions.

“Our prestige, as well as pub- lic support of the IWA has gone up by leaps and bounds, and workers in furniture plants, steel plants, construction outfits, have made representations to come into the IWA,” it states.

“Those in the industry have been accepted, and the others re- ferred to the CCL organizations in their respective fields.

“We have at times had to use the services of the union lawyer when employers have either run out or gone broke and the men have not received pay for their work. In every case, these have been settled to the satisfaction of the membership.

Grievances Settled

“Grievances too numerous to be mentioned have been settled. Shop stewards have been elected and appointed, grievance commit- tee have been set up and on many oceasions Local Union officials have assisted. In all cases, to, night shifts have been organized.

“The officers, executive mem- bers all join in expressing ap- preciation for a job done this past year by the shop stewards, grievance and safety committee members in working to make the organization of Local 1-217 so effective.

Finances

Financially, Local 1-217 is in a healthier position than ever be- fore, and during the year was able to send 19 delegates to the District convention in Nanaimo, 10 to the CCL convention in Win- nipeg, and 15 to the International meeting in Minneapolis,

For the Army and Navy strik- ers in New Westminster, $600 was obtained, $1,000 went to the Weverhaeuser strikers, and many other generous contributions were made to strikers in other industries throughout Canada and the U.S. *

Fulltime officials and shop stewards were loaned to assist other Locals in organizing the unorganized and the Local 1-217 paid both wages and expenses.

The report continues:

Many savings have been effect- ed through the streamlining of administrative methods, The first of these was the introduction of the fold-over work card. The prime purpose of this card was to facilitate for the membership the obtaining of withdrawal cards and to enable the Local office to maintain correct addresses,

To this extent, the return ad- dress cards have been successful. The use of window envelopes for mailing eliminates duplication and the saving of many dollars during the year.

More recently, a new dues- record card was designed to eli-

minate re-typing every 2 years. This card will serve for a period of six years before it becomes | necessary to replace 6,000 dues record cards.

New Methods

1951 will see the introduction of a new method of handling ap- plications for membership. Pre- viously temporary cards were is- sued until such time as dues were received from the employer. All cards will now be typed and filed upon receipt of the checkoff and the applicant will receive his membership card immediately.

“This will improve the service to the membership and result in fur- ther saving. Your officers are at all times open to suggestions and constructive criticism, and will welcome any opinions which will aid in our service to you.”

Social and Sports

The Social and Sports Commit- tee this year has been one of the more active committees in the Local Union. In April a dance was held at the Veterans’ Com- munity Hall, with an exception- ally large turn-out, and a good time was had by all.

Following in the footsteps of last year, the Local again spon- sored a softball team, switching from the Fairview Senior B Soft- ball League to the Hastings East, Senior A League. The ballteam had a very good season, but we feel that more active’ support should be given to our team this next year, It is our team, so let’s support it, In appreciation of the ball players’ participation under the colors of the IWA, sweaters were “presented to them at a social gathering on December 28.

This year, also, we saw the in- ception of what is to be an an- nual IWA picnic. August 26th marked the day ofthe first picnic, where we saw members and their families from all operations in the Local attend. Although, unfortunately, the weather start- ed off very cloudy and windy in the morning, towards afternoon it cleared anda larger turnout ap- peared. We feel, in summing up, that next year the picnic should be held earlier in the summer, when better weather prevails.

To mark the beginning of the festive season, Local 1-217’s 3rd Annual Christmas party was held with everyone remarking that every year the party gets better and- the crowds become larger. The attendance was in the neigh: borhood of 3,500, From all in cations, a still larger hall will be needed this coming year. Spe- cial mention and appreciation should be given to the Ladies’ Auxiliary for the assistance ren-

Negoti: Chair Ltd., now being tte) by Local 1-217, Vancouver, are progressing favorably it was re- ported this week by the Local Union officers. k ‘The demands presented on be- half of the employees are in the same terms as won by other Van- couver furniture plants in 1950,

dered to this committee in put- ting on the social, picnic, and Christmas Party.

Ladies’ Auxiliary

The Ladies’ Auxiliary this last year sent five of their members over to the District Convention with the hopes of building up a more solid relationship with the other Ladies’ Auxiliaries within the District. It’ is now a recog- nized fact not only in our Local Union, but in many of the out- side Local Unions, that the 217 Auxiliary has been doing a fine job with their hospital work, Regular weekly visits have been made to the General Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, and Shaugh- nessy Hospital, and cigarettes, chocolate bars, matches, Lumber- workers, etc. have all been hand- ed out to the IWA_ members, Other Locals Unions’ in recogni- tion of this service to some of their own members hospitalized] through injury in Vancouver, have sent contributions, both to the Local and to the Auxiliary, to aid us in our work.

The Auxiliary has held regular monthly meetings, and many so- cial meetings among the mem- ; bers as well as participating jointly with the Local Social Committee, putting on the Local Social, the first Annual Picnic, and the Christmas Party. De- cember 81, 1950, at the closing of ; the Auxiliary books, found them with a bank balance of $981.09,

MORE DUTY ON UK CARS

Dumping duties are to be re- imposed on British autos enter- ing Canada after May 81.

This follows representations to the government from Canadian auto makers,

The duties were removed two years ago to help Britain’s dollar

co ee ee ee

situation and make it easier for % Canadian food to be purchased # by the U.K. government, 4

The goyernment has stated the ¢ xeimposition of the duties “won't i

haye any significant effect,” but it is worthy to note that Canadian auto makers, worried about the popularity of the cheap-to-run British cars, haven't tried to compete with the U.K.-type ve- hicles.

tEAM

2 Oe

ATTEND YOUR UNION

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