CONTENTdm
[The Labour Statesman]
BC Historical Newspapers
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C\ 0 SUPPORTED BY ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR LOCAL UNIONS TO EACH UNION MEMBER THE POLITICAL PARTY OF HIS CHOICE 14ABO& STATS** RECEIVED j .;.L,>«t«rtl OCT 4 j^WT«D BY THE VANCOUVER, NEW WESTMINSTER AND DISTRICT library TRADES & LABOR COUNCIL No. COO. VANCOUVER, CANADA, SEPTEMBER, 1949 Established 1924 BUILD STRONG UNIONS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY WHAT THEY SAID... Make Your Pay Count The dollars you earn each week are union-earrfed dollars. VVhen you spend those dollars, be true to yourself. Make sure that the goods and services you buy merit a trade unionist's patronage. t-i.4Jnion-made goods and union-rendered services are consistently tops in value. You obtain the most for your money when you insist upon such comtrjodities and services. Tell your friends and nighbors to look for and insist upon the union label, union shop card and union service button. These emblems spell better value. They'll be grateful for your suggestion. _r—American Federationist. - • ~! ~— Answer To Communism During the course of the general debate on the report of David A. Morse, director general of the International Labor Office, Fernando Santi, secretary general of the.Italian .General Confederation of Labor and worker delegate to the International Labor Conference at Geneva said : "I should like to tell those who fear Communism that the only way to fight it is not to persecute those who believe in it, but to satisfy, when it is possible, and in as broad a sense as possible, the thirst of workers throughout the world for social justice." British Miners' Record "Britain is the only European country to have got her coal output per man-shift up to pre-war le.vel—and the only one with fewer miners than before the war, reports the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe."—"Daily Mail" (28-6-49), London, Eng. Super Babies! "From the health point of view, British babies are super-babies compared with the rest. ... In ten years, England'will have a generation of young men and women superior physically and mentally to those of any other European country."—Prof. Bonnet, French Academy of Medicine, Sept. 1948. • Truthful Definitions Living Wage—What the other fellow should be able to live on. Bargain—A deal in which each party thinks he is cheating the other. > Education—What remains" after one has forgotten everything he learned at school. >. - Fashion—The tax on vanity imposed by the clothing industry. Giant—The man who sits in front of you at the movies. —Daily Herald, London, Eng. If They Can't Find Jobs, Let Them 'Conjecture' "We, the Conservatives, have a plan for unemployment which the Socialists have not got. Whether it will work or not is a matter of conjecture. We hope it will succeed."—Brigadier 0. L. Prior Palmer, Conservative M.P. for Worthing.—Worthing Herald, England. Slightly Unemployed "Dealing with unemployment The prime minister said, 'What we mean by full employment is a level of employment over the country as a whole which makes it reasonably possible for most men and women to get work most of the time without too much difficulty.'"—Vancouver Sun. CONVENTION EXPELS CAN. SEaAMEN'S UNION The long drawn-out battle of the Canadian Seamen's Union ended with the expulsion from the Trades and Labor Congress at the Calgary Convention in September. Meeting in Mewata Armory, Congress, by an overwhelming voice-vote ratified the action of the executive in suspending the Union in June. Air of Expectancy Monday afternoon's session began in an air of expectancy. Every delegate apparently knew that the long awaited discussion on the red C.S.U. was to begin. T. G. McManus, secretary-treasurer of the C.S.U., had distributed the literature giving the Union's case, early in the morning and all the delegates were by then familiar with the contents of the pamphlets. The C.S.U. received little support, and Frank Hall, Canadian representative of the Broaherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, declared, in winding up the debate: "You cannot divorce the. question of the C.S.U. from Communism. ^It is under the complete domination of the Communist Party of Canada, and the Communist Party of Canada is under the complete domination of Russian Imperialism." The decision was a triumph for Hall, whose union was suspended by Congress last year, and at that time carried on a bitter campaign against the C.S.U.' which was supported by the Congress. The debate was on the report of the Committee on Officers' Reports which said they believed the Executive Council endeavored to the best of its ability to settle the dispute •involving the union. , Differences Settled They also, noted that the difference between the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada and the American Federation of Labor had been harmonized and that the best inter ests of the parties would not be served by going into detail in matters involving the final settlement The committee said they concurred in the opinion that no good purpose could be served by re-opening wounds that wetavawK 4aK*ly healed. "Your committee feels that it can be very well demonstrated that the Executive Council did do everything in its power to render all reasonable assistance to the Seamen's Union," added the report, which was presented by Chairman H. J. Sedgewick, Hamilton. "It was noted, with regret though, that the Seamen's Union, in turn, failed in many respects to recognize and accept its responsibilities to the Congress and various affiliated unions of the Congress." They felt that it could not be overemphasized that the Congress could not thrive if individual organizations continued to create situations where other affiliated organizations of the Congress were impeded in carrying out obligations which were binding by reason of contracts and agreements. The committee concluded, after a most careful study of the final decision of the Executive Council that the Canadian Seamen's Union be suspended, that no other course was left open to the Council in the face of the past experience and possible situations which mighta rise in the future if the Canadian Seamen's Union were to remain in affiliation with the Congress. Would Be Permanent They recommended that the action of the Executive Council in suspending the Canadian Seamen's Union be concurred In, and that the suspension of the Union be made permanent. Efforts were made to tie in with Seamen (Continued on Page 3, Col. 6) 64th ANNUAL CONVENTION ADOPTS OVER 200 POLICY RESOLUTIONS Working at top-speed as the convention drew to a close, delegates attending the 64th Annual Convention in Calgary, passed more than 200 resolutions, wit hall debates streamlined and reduced to a minimum. Strenuous efforts were put forward by the committees in charge, with the co-operation of the delegates, to make up for the time lost in the early part of the convention on lengthy debates dealing with the Canadian Seamen's issue and detailed.amendments to the constitution. The more important resolutions handled towards the end of the Convention called for the re-institution of the granting of subsidies on basic foodstuffs; the re-imposition of the 10 per cent profits tax to eliminate profiteering; reconstitution of the Wartime Prices and Trades Board as a Peacetime Prices and Trades Board with equal distribution of farmers, labor, and industry; and the institution of a comprehensive national housing and slum clearance program. Action Aimed at Communists Several more steps aimed at the Communists were also taken. The president was given power to suspend an officer or member of a local or federal union for violation of the constitution. Previously he had power to suspend unions but not individuals. This section, said the chairman of the constitution committee, was necessary to give the president the same powers as those of presidents of other organizations. No debate was allowed on the con- activities of Communists and fellow- troversial resolution censuring the travellers in trade unions, and asking affiliated unions to remove them from key positions. Among ^e~>ecdhimehdatidns con tained in the resolution was one to the effect that no known communist be permitted to hold office in the Congress, its provincial federations and central bodies nor be permitted, to sit on any committee of the convention. As soon as the resolution was placed before the delegates there was a loud call for the "question". President Percy Bengough accepted the call, and took a voice vote. The ayes" and "no's" were about equal, but when he asked for a standing vote, about 600 stood for. and 100 against. From then oh the resolutions came thick and fast. The French-speaking delegates asked for the translations to be omitted, to speed up business, and discussion was cut to a minimum. At one point, Sam Lapedes, Toronto, United Garment Workers, complained that resolutions were being taken too quickly. "We have been here for 10 days," he said, "and yet these resolutions, containing some of the vital issues to labor, have been left to the last day." LABOR'S GOAL Canadian Labor Reports i T.L.C. Convention Scores I Racial Discrimination 1000 Delegates Advocate Anti-Discrimination Law The opening session of the 64th Trades and Labor Congress of Canada Convention was devoted to the problem of racial discrimination in Canada. Public Hearing on Street Car Fares Asked By T.LC. Executive A reaoluQoS submitted" to the delegates by the Executive, protesting the action of the Public Utilities Commission in granting an interim increase in street car fares without first holding a public hearing, was unanimously endorsed by the delegates to the Vancouver T. & L. Council. Similar resolutions had *e8rr"foT=~~ warded to the Council by a number of other unions. Speaking in support of the Executive resolution, Bro. Bob Cormack said that his union had always taken the stand that fares should not be kept low at the expense of the street railway employees. He agreed that the public was entitled to know the facts but "was opposed to one corporation being singled out for investigation. "I am in favor of public hearings to investigate the increase in the price of lumber, fish, milk, telephone rates, and so on," he declared. "Let's investigate the increased cost of living all along the line." Bro. Charlie Stewart said that the . position taken by the Street Railway- men's Union was that the fare increase is not their business. He added that whatever the public hearing may show it cannot show that the increase granted to the employees was the cause of the increased fare. Citizens today, he said, are enjoying the conversion from gas to trolley busses and are paying for it The company has now converted largely from two-man to one-man operation', whieh- means a cut in wage costs to the company of almost 60%. "We are not responsible for the 10c you are now paying," he said. An amendment condemning the 10c fare was not approved, the delegates ,i taking the position that no stand should be taken until a public hearing brings all the facts to light. List Resolutions Briefly, the resolutions asked for: Statutory holidays with pay for employees in the railway industry; Amendments to the British North America Act giving the federal government power to establish minimum wage rates, maximum hours of labor and exercise control of child labor through the whole of Canada; An immediate rollback of prices to the 1946 level; The establishment among affiliated organizations, consumer co-operatives to control the price of household commodities; , A return to the pre-war rates of taxation on cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products; A national health program provide ing complete coverage of health insurance, embracing hospital surgery, equipment, dental care, psychiatric treatment; Establishment of a nursing division n the Department of National Health and Welfare; Protective legislation to safeguard workers and veterans so that their homes will not pass into the hands of financial corporations who take advantage of depression periods; Increased vigilance on the part of the federal government to prevent the admission into Canada of Communists and Fascists; Raising of income tax exemptions to $2,400 a year for married persons and $1,200 a year for single persons, with a minimum exemption for each child of $400; Exemption from taxable income of money spent by an employee on tools and equipment; Old age pension to be paid to men at 65 jearrsei age and women at 60, on a contributory basis, with an increase in the pension to $60 a month, with the same pension to be paid to the blind and totally disabled over the age of 18; Continuance of Congress policy of political non-partisanship; Votes in all elections for everyone over 18; Public ownership and democratic management of al public utilities and nationalization of banking credit; A Bill of ights to protect and Convention (Continued on Page 6, Col. 4) The province of Ontario was especially singled out for criticism in a report of the Standing Committee on Racial Discrimination, which was adopted unanimously by the delegates. - . The report, presented by Claude Jodpin, chairman of the committee, added that in order to appreciate the extent of possible' prejudice in Canada, it should be noted that our population is 30% of French origin, 48% of British stock and 22% of various other groups, including V//'/r Jews and about 22,000 Negroes. Because of the small number of negroes there could not. obviously, be much of a color problem in Canada, certainly not to the extent in which it existed in the United States. "A careful survey of the situation in Canada reveals some positive as well as negative aspects of the field of human relations in our country," the report states. No Violence Seen "It can be stated with satisfaction that there have been hardly any open and avowed cases of discrimination in Canada involving acts of violence during the past year. "No major Canadian political party has included race hatred in its program. With the exception of small splinter groups, all political parties in Canada refrain from, bigotry and prejudice." Press, radio and films in this country were absolved from blame by the committee, which said that the newspapers and magazines which direct themselves to the community as a whole, are by and large free from racial or religious - prejudice, and many of them frequently publish editorials and feature stories strongly condemning racial and religious prejudice. The committee, however, added that they regretfully reported a number of negative elements which could have, if neglected, a very dangerous effect on the future development of our society. "We refer in particular to instances of discrimination in employment, discrimination in the sale and rental of property and discrimination in the use of public places and admissions in clubs and recreational associations. Must Be Curbed "While these discrminatory practices are not yet general, they could, if allowed to flourish, set a pattern for Canadian life,-which would, be contrary to the best interests of the labor movement in Canada and to the progress of our country as a whole." Urging legislation in this country similar to that applied in a number of states south of the border in the enactment of fair employment practice the committee also suggested that it be accompanied by a vigorous educational campaign against discriminating practices. Restrictive covenants and deeds or leases on property in Ontario were also quoted, along with hospitals in Ontario where discrimination was practiced and cases of hotels and restaurants where people were excluded on racial grounds. Giving decisions of various trades councils and labor groups across the country, the committee recalled the Alberta Federation of Labor in their 1949 presentation to the Alberta Cabinet said. Resolutions Received "During the last year the government has received from many sources resolutions condemning discrimination against race, creed, and color. Our Federation requests- your government to give careful consideration to any case of discrimination that has been brought to your attention." The report concludes by urging all affiliated councils and locals to ask for the enactment of the necessary legislation protecting the various religious and racial groups in Canada in the exercise of their rights as citizens of a free and democratic coju-try. Royal Commission &. \ Hospitalization Askeo Vancouver Fire Fighters, Local 18, are demanding that a royal commission be appointed to investigate the - B. C. Hospitalization Act before any union jurisdiction was passed By the further increases are granted. delegates. Kemmis Attacks LRB Decision on Jurisdiction The recent action of the Labor Relations Board in determining the jurisdiction of a group'of employees in Scott Bathgate firm was strongly condemned by Bro. Melvin Kemmis, Bakers & Confectioners Union. The employees affected had decided they were Bakery and Confectionery Workers and joined that union. - The L.R.B. decided they must belong to the Teamsters Union. At this stage Bro. Kemmis said he had wired his international and was informed his union had jurisdiction. "I took the view that when my international said we had jurisdiction no board should interfere," declared Mr. Kemmis. The L.R.B. informed him that it was not interested in telegrams and that the Board would decide jurisdiction. The' plant had later closed down, although about 10 employees were retained. The Bakers members were, in effect, locked out. His union learned later that the Teamsters were organizing the employees in the plant. His union had not been informed that tbe .Teamsters had been granted'jurisdiction. He contacted the Teamsters and informed them the group being organized were "company stooges". "We think it is a serious infringement of trade union rights if the Board is allowed to step in and decide jurisdiction, Bro. Kemmis said. Bro. Gervin said that labor had asked for a Labor Relations Board and was represented on it and that it should not be condemned. Bro. Alsbury said that while he agreed that a Board was desirable, it 'id not follow that all its acts should l^-nproved by labor. He felt as Bro. •^ '- did, that this action of the ■^fc.*0 .. " an interference into the in. *'«Vr'4L>'""!i of unions. A *v #" SkF presented by Bro. Rigby, r; \f .ien, protesting the action of the^Bard in interfering with Civic Workers Want Publicly-Owned B.C.E. In a resolution submitted to the Vancouver, New Westminster and District Trades and Labor Council, Vancouver Civic Employees Union, Local 28, have expressed their dis- satisfaction with the methods used to increase street car fares recently. The public, the resolution declares, is not satisfied that the increase is justified. . The resolution urges the launching of a vigorous campaign by organized labor to win public ownership of the B. C. Electric. The Trades and Labor Council reiterated its policy of public ownership of utilities. Int. Bro. T. C. W. and K, Local No. 151 wish to advise Organized Labor WE DO NOT PATRONIZE Approved by Vancouver, Haw Weatmlnater and District Trades aad Labor Council 1* [ Union StBVICE TEAMSTERS' LABEL SUBURBAN CABS LTD. MARPOLE TAXI KERRISDALE TAXI McKENZIE HEIGHTS TAXI Page Two THE LABOR STATESMAN September, 1949 CANADA PERMANENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION ■ATXsTM ACCOUNTS • BaBBaTTVaUM IBStTBD Established In llfJ W. J. BELL, Xansa-ar, British Colombia Braaak *** suosuxtna stkeet faohu tasi Union Label Goods THE BIG FAMILY STORE 1409 KINGSWAY Try ua fof Values—Established in 1910 W. J. HEADS BOOT FACTORY LTD. j] Makers of the "HEADS SHOE" for Loggers, Miners, Cruisers, Surveyors, etc. Our Shoes are hand-made —. You'll be satisfied 21 East Hastings Street Vancouver, B. C. INVERMAY HOTEL 828 WEST HASTINGS STREET, VANCOUVER, B. C p- Always a Good Place I .... NOW BETTER THAN EVER I out Tsunsmu, flbabb storm St. CAMPBILU K. J. CAMPBELL and C. C CAMPBELL. Proprl.tora Phone: FAirmont 6276 Stoneberg Bros. Plating Works We Specialise in Hard Chromium and Heavy Industrial Plating Chrome, Nickle, Copper, Electro Tinning, Polishing, etc. 436 East 5th Ave., cor. Guelph and 5th Ave., Vancouver G. W. RIBCHESTER & SON LTD. Automobile Commercial Bodies and Repairs 1253 HOWE STREET MArine 0827 BERG CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. Contractors and Builders J. T. BBRO. Praaldant — Rasld.nca Phona: HAatlnca 1717 Room 10,441 Seymour St., Vancouver Phone: MA. 1559 Cobalt Hotel Refreshment Parlor 917 Main Street Remodeled and Decorated — Service is Our Motto W. M. HILL AMD H. ft. DArOI, PROPRIETORS ** METROPOLE HOTEL VANCOUVER'^ POPULAR FAMILY HOTEL — KErBESHMENT FAJU.08. — 320 Abbott Street (Opposite Woodward's Stores) J. E. (BLACKIE) BENOEST. PBOfRirrOR MUSIC AND DANCING EMBASSY BALLROOM 1024 Davie Street Modem Dancing every Night Joe Miceli and his Orchestra COMPLIMENTS OF COMMERCIAL HOTEL Phona: rAeMe 0442 Milra Grbcic — John Car — Stan Val|aclc Fully Uc.ni.d NEWLY RENOVATED THROUGHOUT - MODERN AND FIREPROOF 340 CAMBIE STREET VANCOUVER, B. C (Established 1911) SUMNER BRASS FOUNDRY LTD. Manufacturers of Iran, Bronze and Aluminum Castings — Phosphor Bronx*) Bushings Manganese Bronze Propellors in All Sizes Phons: MArine 1548 619 Bidwoll Street, Vsneouvsr, B,C. L.R.B. Ruling On Jurisdiction Questioned The recent decision of the Labor Relations Board which determines the union employees may join is an interference in the internal affairs, of unions and a threat to organized labor, declared a letter from the B.C. Federation of Labor (CCL) to tbe Vancouver Trades and Labor Council. No action was taken on the invitation to send delegates to a protest meeting arranged by the CCL. body. T.L. Council Appoints City U.N. Delegates At the request of the Vancouver Branch of the United Nations Society the Vancouver Trades and. Labor Council appointed delegates to represent it. The delegates appointed were Brothers Bevis, Cormack and Alsbury. "A" Motor Licenses Tests Being Studied Attorney-General Wismer acknowledged the letter forwarded by the Vancouver Trades and Labor Council protesting frequent "A" motor license tests. Mr. Wismer stated he would take the matter up with the officials concerned. Barron $rn& Itmtteb FUNERAL DIRECTORS H ■*»» TENTH A VIM US Phonal iAlrmont o:*t laa Will SIXTH BTBEET. NORTH TABOOWTBm iH™,ont 0!** xnroawAY ana royal oak, burnaby "
are merely the instruments of alien distatorship.
In the early history of our country, there was no need for a discussion of the problem of collective bargaining relationships,
Kant against the profit motive, which is strong in every man
the freedom of a country's institutions may be measured by the number of eccentric people in it
I feel very worried, someone has stolen my car.
For heaven's sake, send me someone who can.
It is one of the ironies of the present situation,
If you feel you must say something just say 'Brother!'
THE BAUBAQE THAT MADE LITTLE PIGS FAMOUS
@en, "Title changes in chronological order: The Labor Statesman (1924-04-25 to 1965-03), The Labour Statesman (1965-05 to 1969-09). From 1924-04-25 to 1965-03 The Labour Statesman was owned and published by the Vancouver and District Labour Council. From 1965-05 to 1967-07 it was published jointly by the B.C. Federation of Labour and the Vancouver and District Labour Council. From 1967-08 to 1969-09 it was published by the B.C. Federation of Labour."@en ; edm:hasType "Newspapers"@en ; dcterms:spatial "Vancouver (B.C.)"@en ; dcterms:identifier "Labor_Statesman_1949_09"@en ; edm:isShownAt "10.14288/1.0439498"@en ; dcterms:language "English"@en ; geo:lat "49.246292"@en ; geo:long "-123.116226"@en ; edm:provider "Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library"@en ; dcterms:publisher "Vancouver, B.C. : Vancouver and District Labour Council"@en ; dcterms:rights "Images provided for research and reference use only. Permission to publish, copy, or otherwise use these images must be obtained from the Digitization Centre: http://digitize.library.ubc.ca/"@en ; dcterms:source "Original Format : UBC Library"@en ; dcterms:title "The Labor Statesman"@en ; dcterms:type "Text"@en ; dcterms:description ""@en .