CONTENTdm
[The Labour Statesman]
BC Historical Newspapers
application/pdf
WE MUST CUT HOURS, RAM WAGES: PAGE 7 SPECIAL REPORTS ON UNEMPLOYMENT: PAGE 6 MUTE OLD-TIMERS: PAGE 3 Labor*? _ Atesman OWNED BY THE T ^Jrt •* -V^ISTRICT LABOUR COUNCIL No. 7C8 — Ei"ht Panes Vancouvei .ctober, 1960 Established 1924 Labor's 'parliament' sets new policies A business-like convention of trade union delegates from all parts of B.C. last week laid down labors blueprint of action for the next year. More than 350 delegates attended the fifth annual convention of the B.C. Federation of Labour, one of the most successful meetings in its history. _r-*C * Fed may launch TV program B.C. labor may produce its own television show aimed at giving the public a picture of the role the trade union movement has played in the social development of the world. The proposal was made at the B.C. Federation of Labour convention. The Federation's executive committee said executive officers should explore the possibility of producing this TV show over selected outlets throughout the province. "We feel this could-provide invaluable, media for the creation of a sympathetic feeling towards the aims and objectives of the trade union movement and effectively answer the biased, antiunion propaganda being carried on this media and through—the press and radio," the commit-_ tee said. - The committee said it could be a "fairly costly undertaking." But it said the value would pay "the greatest dividends we have ever received from our expenditures in the field of public relations." A study of the possibility of producing the program, its cost and the methods of fin- ancffii^Tt^were proposed. A target date of Sept. 1961 was set for the project. Unemployment, political education and ihe battle against restrictive legislation were the big issues at the convention. .At the end of a full week's work of committee meetings and fi.7» sessions, delegates had-elected officers j with few changes frotr, last year, and had set the guidelines for HAPPY FACES I ,i&iA)iw*li*im,&,i&i>4btii*?*iimimm^* sound labor policies on the provincial level. On unemployment, the convention approved formation of the new B.C. Federation of Unemployed and set out a workable six-point plan to combat unemployment—urging both the federal and provincial governments to -meet in November to study the critical jobless problem. On political education, dele gates overwhelmingly approved continuation of past policy which in effect means support for the CCF party until the New Party is formed. Most immediate action will be joint cooperation in naming B.C. candidates and running the campaign of a federal election with the CCF. The convention' gave its executive officers a strong mandate to fight labor legis lation now on the books that unjustly restricts trade unions — Bill 43 and 123. Dozens of other policies were hammered out dealing with a wide range of topics important to both members of trade unions and to all members of the community. In this issue, the Labor Statesman gives the first full coverage of the Federation convention. '■■•re' 31m.--a-*~,i ■'■«-. MUNICIPAL CONTESTS tabor names slates for Dec. elections GEORGE BENGOUGH smiles because . . . Labor's civic elections campaign shifted into first gear this month wjth the nomination (if candidates and the shaping of a platform that should win support of all liberal-minded persons. The early start on this year's campaign is aimed at getting candidates**aWr platform before the public so that they will become better known. Past experience has convinced Vancouver Labour Council that labor's election bids were made too late in the campaign, political education officials said. At Labor Statesman press time, further area meetings were being held to nominate aditiona' candidates and round out local platform issues. But so far a good lineup of candidates has been selected by the area committee and has won approval of VLC delegates. A full-time campaign man ager has been picked and tha campaign is expected to roll in high gear well before election time. The labor council has approved a budget of $9,000 to finance the election plan in the various areas of Greater Vancouver. The following is the list of candidates on labor tickets and those endorsed as deserving the support of trade union people: These are the candidates to vote for . . . BILL FORRETT is happy along with . . . Handicrafts sale by CARS Patients Looking for handicraft goods? CARS — the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society — I* holding a sale of handicraft goods (made by patients) in the Hudson's Bay parking lot stores, 000 block Seymour, during the months of November and December. w 1 •*■'■_ __Bm_ r__r» 'Ah ■ ■ ■■ i - 1 ■ \ ^^^l___________# * i _n - * lm , . . another veteran FRANK PLATT. (See page 2 for the story.) VANCOUVER _ FOR MAYOR: A. T. Alsbury (endorsed) FOR ALDERMEN: John Hayward, Street Railwaymen. E. A. Ted Jamieson, M-osi- ■'•••■'*■''••. cians. -. . Sam Jenkins, Marine Workers. Jack HawihoTn., Machinists Halford Wilson (endorse). FOR SCHOOL BOARD: John Henderson. Building Service. FOR PARK BOARD: James Harkneu, Street Railwaymen. Ron Macaulay. Sheet Metal Workers. Arnold Webstea- (endorse). BURNABY FOR COUNCILLORS: (2-year term) Russel Hicks, Street Rail- waymen. George Humphreys, Oil Workers. Bob Prittie (endorse). COUNCILLOR (1-year term) John Higman, Street Railwaymen. FOR SCHOOL TRUSTEE: Dave Lawrence, Steelworkers. Jim Gordon, Carpenters. Mm. Eilleen Dailly, (endorse). NEW WESTMINSTER FOR ALDERMAN: Robert Skelly^Street Railwaymen. Km Wright (endorse). Maude Corrigan (endorse). SURREY FOR COUNCILLORSi Pete Kozak. IWA Loc. 1-357 Larry Hicks. St. R'lymen. - Ernie-Wood, Longshoremen. FOR SCHOOL TRUSTEE: Ernie Newmans, St. R'lym. CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER FOR ALDERMEN: Sam Third, St. Rlymen. C. B. Keely, Mar. Workers. FOR SCHOOL BOARD: Mn. Winnfred Henderson (endorse). - DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER rOR COUNCILLORS: William Moore. Firefighters. FOR SCHOOL BOARD: Mrs. Dorothy Lynas (end'se) f-ge Two The Labor Statesman—October, 1960 Federation officers re-eJectfed The six top officers of the B. C. Federation of Labour were returned to office at the federation'* convention last week. In the only contest, tint vice-president Joe Morris beat out Stu Hodgson of the IWA by 185 to 146 votes. President Bob Smeal,' second vice-president Russ Si. Eloi; •third vp. Mel Kemmis; fourth vp. Ray Haynes: and secretary Pat O'Neal, ell were re-elected by acclamation. _._ Uoting for the 10-man executive council elected (with voles in brackets): R. Bryce. Pulp Sulphite (334): E. T. Slaley. Carpenters (3_8); Chris Crontye. Newspaper Guild (327); Charles Stewart, Street Railwaymen (319); Dick Greaves, Marine Engineers (313): Lloyd Wisheart. Fire Fighters (395.- Jock Mc Kenzie. IWA (294): Pen Baskin. Steelworkers (287); Bill Symington, Packinghouse Workers (248); Jack Hoist. IWA (222). Defeated were Sam Jenkins. Marine Workers (193); Sid Thompson. IWA (189); and W. Arland. Auto Workers (84). Auxiliary elections Mrs. William Pierce has been elected president of the ladies' auxiliary to the Children's Jubilee Summer Camp Association. Other officers are: Mrs. Josephine Hallock, vice-president; Mrs. Jinr Cook, secretary; Mrs. Reg. Lenfesty, treasurer; Mrs. Larry Shaw, publicity; Mrs. Fred Lomas, refreshments; Mrs. Custer Solem, sunshine; Mrs. J. P. Faulkes, membership. Annual banquet Vancouver Labour Council's fifth annual banquet and dance will be held »_. _be commodore Cabaret on Friday, Nov. 25. Dinner, a. floor-show . and dancing will make up the evening's entertainment with tickets at $4 a person. Accommodation is limited to 950 persons. 1 ■ and gone! '-•a 8 8 8 a 9 I 8 a I PEOPLE MAKE THE NEWS CONVENTION SETS POLICY Federation -CCF link if federal vote comes The B.C. Federation of Labour will work with, the CCF in the nomination of candi- datcsvif a federal election is called before the New Party is forrnt?!. ..•".< This policy was reached at the federation's convention last week in Vancouver: Delegates after a long debate voted overwhelmingly to back the recommendation of the federation's section of the joint provincial liaison committee which had worked with the CCF during the last provincial election. The committee's resolution said: "In the event of a federal election .before the New Party is formed, the nomination of candidates be conducted with cloge cooperation between the CCF and the affiliates of the B.C. Federation of Labour and thaT^ealmptfign activities in such case be suitably coordinated." Some union., recorded opposition to the policy. The report said the committee "views the results of the recent provinei.il election campaign as providing full vindication of the political action program outlined in previous conventions of the B.C. Federation oi Labour. i - • SWEDISH DISH is May Bntt.'one of the recent Hollywood imports whose first name is pronounced "My" —and "My, oh my!" we tike our choke for this month's onion label gal. Those Page One pictures SMILING FACES It was a great night for old timers and new comers alike when the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 452 celebrated its seventieth birthday this month. There were many smiling and happy faces — and that's why the three smiling faces appear on page 1 of this edition of the Labour Statesman George Bengough, a past president of the local and present international general executive board member, was master of ceremonies at the celebration. Among those-honored was Bill Forrett, the man with the longest membership in Local 452 — over, half a century — who joined back on April 26, 1908. And the third face is that of Frank Piatt who holds continuous union membership from June 17, 1809. He originally joined the old Amalgamated in Oldham, Lancashire, (See story on page 3.) VETERAN labor leader and school board trustee Jack Henderson will ..seek re-elect ion to the school board as a labor candidate again this December. ecisioh: increase the kick; kick ihe increase The political partnership ar» rangements with the CCF, revealing identical political interests, met with widespread approval, the report stated. "Proof was given that with the opportunity for more extensive political*/organization through the New Party,, the election of a people's government is possible." $ The report went on to say*- that participation of trade unions in the provincial camy paign had focused public atten tion on pressing social needs such as comprehensive medical care and full employment. "The re-alignment of political forces in the province now indicates more clearly than before where labor's political intereste lie," it stated. "Powerfll employing interests determined to cripple trade unionism were forced out into the open in,regard to their influence upon public policy." One-resolution in particular whisked through the B.C. Federation of Labour convention without any attempt to dilute its contents or water it down in any way. It read: "Whereas the Liquor Control Board of the provincial government of B.C. has shown huge profits in the sale of alcoholic beverages, and whereas the alcohol content has been reduced to practically the strength of H20, and whereas the continued inrease in prices has become beyond the reach of the working people, "Therefore be it resolved thai the percentage of alcohol in such beverages be increased to its original status and further that all beverages under control of the B.C. Liquor Control Board be reduced in price." The resolution evidently required no comment or explanation. It was approved quietly and quickly. PUC hearing BC Electric earning rate The Public Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing to consider rescinding of its 1952 decision setting the B. C. Electric's allowed maximum rate of return at 6V_ pei cent. The PUC said this action follows the leceiri'Trei'ision of the Supreme Court of Canada which ruled that the BCE did not have to appear before the PUC to se.ek an increase of rates so long as the company's earnings did not go beyond 6V2 per cent. ', -«-- Vancouver Labour Council will present a brief at the hearing. * .; -_j.;:;~~*:~;'" Royal City urged ' "*rV-. _. to remove tolls Bett's Shell Service Broadway 8c Arbutus GAS — OIL — TIRES B A1TERIES—ACCESSOR BATTERIES ACCESSORIES LUBRICATION & REPAIRS UNION SHOP RE 3-4712 McGavin's Bakery products ere bar*!/ out of the ovens when they're gone . . . whisked direct to your door, or to your grocery store. That's wr-<y, when you buy "_cGaviri's, you get hom«-o>_lity baking ... fragrant, fresh, delicious. Whatever your pleasure - cakes, swee.t goods, family loaves or specialty breads - you'll find it's good eating if It'e McGavin's. HHGavin BAKERIES LIMITED Serving wettern Canada With fine bakery producte wince 1911 TV/O POSTS go to Pat O'Neal who was re-elected secretary of the B.C. Fed' eration of Labor and named secretary to the new Federation of Unemployed this month. Registration pays aft Labor's campaign during— the recent provincial election to get people on the voters' list was well worth while. B.C. Federation of Labour convention was told this month that the federation w_ responsible for 37,000 tradc unionists being placed on the provincial voters ..list:" "We believe it was also re- • sponsible for forcing the pro vincial government to initiate a registration campaign in view of the public interest aroused by our efforts," the report said. The total number of new yoters in B.C. was aLout 76,000. Vancouver Labour Council secretary Paddy Neale criticized the increasing use of tolls on bridges before New Westminster city council this month and urged that tolls be removed-from the new Queens- borough bridge. He told \ the ccuncil that "automobile drivers- in B. C. already are paying exorbitantly to the provincial government for bridges by virtue of the fact they pa," 10 cents provincial'road tax on every gallon of gas-purchased and on'' of the highest licensing fees in North America." He said labor believes the charging of toHs-^-n—apj*».„.|?/jr- tion of a highway or road is an obsolete policy. "The Social Credit government gives less aid to munici palities than any other province in Canada (and) it is labor's opinion that every city and municipality should raise this problem constantly with the provincial government until such time as they do re ceive a fair share of this W.t- ney," he said. It is not sufficient for a-city or municipality to deplore the situation and then proceed to charge motorists additional taxes by charging tolls'-on bridges, he said. Vulliamy & Browned CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 2205 Fir St. Phone RE. 8-3233 Vancouver, Bl C. You Can't Afford NOT To Have Health insurance! ? In these days of increased costs, the "price of medical and surgical care has. risen in the same way fts has the price of all the basic'necessities of life, Het-lth insurance is no longer a luxury—it is essential to your s^_cuxjty. Protect yourseff and your family by joining a prepaid medical care plan Which is owned and controlled by its membership. All our staff ; re members of O.E.I.U. and wc>nJoy the support and co-operation of organized labour who promote both our Group and Individual Plans. CU. & C. HEALTH SERVICES SOCIETY 96 East Broa_way TR. 9-5711 Vancouver 10, B.C. vX "-mmwrnrnm Oldtimers saluted as Local 452 looks back on its first seventy years ut'.-i.lA'X i i.l; president of B.C. Federation of Labor this month by acclamation was Bob Smeal. Coiri-jlete election results on Page 2. ...IN ERIEf Back in 1830 when a small group of tradesmen banded together and decided to form a local union' in Vancouver, the population of our then-young brash and bustling Pacific Coast city was 13.709 — 8,942 males and 4,767 females. Those tradesmen were carpenters and they had set for themselves the goal of improving wages and working condition'-, and the regulation of their trade. It was the formation of Local ' 452, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. This month Local 452 celebrated its seventieth birthday with tributes to old timers, salutes to past officers and all those who had built up and maintained their organization. SUPPORT, — Non-operating railway workers across Canada, now taking a strike vote in their dispute- with rail companies, have won the recorded support of Vancouver Labour Council. * * * HELP — Union Buying "Week promotion has a deficit of $300 and the Union Label Trades Council has urged unions that have not donated to the campaign to lend a hand to help pay off the expenses incurred. * * * JUST TALK?—Sound advise in the officers report of ihe B.C. Federation of Labour convention: ."Endorsing resolutions at our conventions is one thing, translating these resolutions into actions is another matter and at a time when we are confronted, by so many important issues, actions will speak much louder than words." * * * CHECKING — Vancouver Welfare Services committee is investigating _a charge by National Association of Marine Engineers that . some employers have taken payroll deductions for the Community Chest arbitrarily and that some employees have been intimidated by management because deductions are a condition of employment. A resolution deplo- Conlinued on Page 8 A tribute to the pioneers of Local 452 in ;.n anniversary program said: "It was the proud boast of our older members that, your union card is lite certificate of your towQotZZ^i "Union membership associates us with the best that the working class has produced. « "The loftiest pursuits of man has been given substsnee by the efforts of our forefathers as unionists." Local 452, like other unions, has made considerable gains for its members over its life- ti.ne. ._ ■ The main fight in the early 1890's was to establish the nine- hour day. On union <"h« toj received $3 for nine hours, and on non-union jobs it was $3 or less for 10 hours work. The eight-hour dav then became the next big goat. A review of the minute books of Local 452 membership meetings reveals that its members pioneered in the building and' cevelopment of this area. Recalled are the good times as well as the disputes as Local 452 played its role. There were the sometimes-bitter tussles, now almost forgotten, during the construction of buildings such as the old Post Office, the CPR depot, the Metropole Hotel, the old Hotel Vancouver and others. Many buildings which were the proud work of craftsmen of the day have been demolished * to make way for the expanding muscles of a growing city; but thousands of others remain as Unemployed federation approved by convention The B.C. Federation of Unemployed was officially born this month on the eve of predictions that more than 100,000 persons will be looking for work in this province this winter. The organization won the official approval of the B.C. Federation of Labour convention and earlier had been endorsed by the Vancouver and District Labour Council. The executive council of the new unemployed group will be the policy-making body. It will have 19 members. Its major purpose is to '■"provide an effective voice and functioning' body for those who directly bear the burden of this increasing economic and social problem and to establish the greatest possible cooperation between all unemployed citizens and the trade union movement.' ' For -administrative purposes the full-time secretary of the new group will be the secretary of the B.C. Federation of Labour. Other representatives will be the secretaries of labor councils and building trade councils in various parts of B.C., a local representative of the CLC and five representatives of unemployed workerl. Labor councils in Vancouver, Victoria, Nelson-Trail, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Nanaimo. Kttimat-Terrace, Kelowna, Kamloops and Dawson Creek will be represented by their secretaries as will the Vancouver Building Trades Council and the Victoria Building Trades Council. The organization will have a president, first vice-president, second vice-president, secretary treasurer and 15 councillors. It's aims #111 be: • To gather together into a functioning organization all those in B.C. who are suffering unemployment. • To impress upon the community and the governments the need for immediate steps to provide unemployment and tc alleviate wherever possible existing distress due to unemployment. • To assist unemployed individuals and their families in meeting the hardships of their state and whenever possible to refer them to the appropriate government or private agency. The new BCFU will operate from an office in the Labor Temple, 307 West Broadway if suitable arrangements can be made. Initial financing vr.il be provided by a proposed minimum contribution of $10 from affiliated unions and other organizations aid individuals. Four main committees will be established: publicity, community organization, direct action and membership. The BCFU will attempt to accomplish its aims through the use of various public relations media, by rallying interested groups in support of its policies and by demonstrations to focus public attention on the unemployment problem. Unemployment councils will be set up by each local labor council to carry out the policies laid down by the BCFU but will not be policy-making bodies in themselves. EYES ON AUTOMATION Longshoremen win work guarantee A unique collective agreement,— one df' the first in Canada to tackle the problems of automation and technological change — has been signed by International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union and the B. C. Shipping Federation. The parties will set up a "joint mechanization commit tee" to study mechanization problems, have set a guaranteed work week of 35 hours, and agreed to a 16-cent increase per -hour over two years. The mechanization committee with three members each from union and management will recommend items for negotiation in hew agreements Broadway Typing & Mimeographing Service Two Blocks East of Labor Temple 183 West Broadway — Office TR 4-8011 Addressing and Mailing Correspondence Agreements Reports Circular* i^fSECT »» RES TRICTED No One Under 18 Admitted "EIGHTHMM THE WEEK" THE STUDIO THEATRE Russian dialogue . . . English sub-titles GRANVILLE AT SMYTHE MU 3-1511 relating to general problems of mechanization and the introduction of new and improved methods for cargo handling. It also will develop pay scales and premium rates applicable to changed methods and will deal with problems of job training, relocation, nor- ?mal retirement, early retirement and size of the union work force. To protect the worker from the immediate effects of automation and change the agre> ment provides a gur-rante-'d work week of 35 houvi. Here's how it works. Each union member will be guariin- 1 teed the opportunity of earning an annual income equivalent to 1,820 hours (35 hours a week) at the appropriate straight time base rate, providing he was available for work and remained a member in good standing. A I proportionate amount would be provided to those who ceased to be rr_»mbers during the life of the agreement or were not always available for work. If the volume of cargo handled shoulii be abnormally low due to economic or other ..'on- ditions beyond the control of the shipping federation, the minimum guarantee would be reduced proportionate'y. W. I Hoods Boot Factory Ltd. Makers^ the "HEADS SHOET'tof Loggers, • Miners, Cruisej-s, Surveyors, etc. Our Shoes are Hand-Mad* — You'll be Satisfied 21 East Hastings Street Vancouver 4, B.C. monuments to the men who have not -only built the buildings but were a part of the indomitable spirit of what was then a struggling young city in a rugged west. A souvenier program for Local 452's anniversary ended its message in a very sober manner: "Since those earlier struggles, we have gained the eight- hour day and the five-day week. We have increased our rate of pay considerably in con- Continued on Page 8 A NEIGHBOUR Will (all On YOU Vary Soon She Wilt Ask For Your Gift to the COMMUNITY CHEST'S Big Drive For 65 Agencies YOUR HELP , Is Needed to Put This Appeal For $2,750,000 OVER THE TOP • Please Do Your Best EVERYBODY GiYIS EVERYBODY BENEFITS Community Chest and Councils of the Greater Vancouver Area 1625 WEST 8th AVENUE REgent 1-7781 J The Labor Statesman—October, 1960 Page Three MUtual 5-8181 TOWING • 24-HR. SERVICE • FULLY INSURED • RADIO CONTROLLED • BONDED DRIVERS BUSTER'S Auto Towing Service Ltd. 376 E. HASTINGS ST. Exclusive AAA Contract Vancouver ■•1— A Page Four The Labor Statesman—October, 1960 THE LABOR STATESMAN Published last week of each month at Labor Temple, 307 West Broadway, Vancouver lo, B.C. Authorized as second class mail. Post Office Department, Ottawa Tne Labor Statesman is owned by the Vancouver,,and District Labour Ccunc»l and supported by 160 local -unions. "To each union Dtmtwr the political "p*rty of Ms choice" /< "Build Strong Unions for Social Security" 7 - ) C. P. NEALE, Secretary AL COLEMAN. Chairman. Public Relations Committee Subscription Rates: 11.50 per year; to. Unions, te per copy „'8 EDITORIALS Calling on Castro How are people faring in Cuba today? Are trade unions allowed to fulfill their function as representatives of free workers? Does the Castro regime pose a serious threat to western nations? How strong is Cuba's tie with the Communist camp? These are some of the questions being asked by many trade unionists in B.C. and across Canada. And so far the answers they have been getting haven't satisfied the curiosity that seeks to get a true story .from all sides. The B.C. Federation of * Labour convention this month set' a course that leads right to Havana where they hope some of the answers will be found. The rep_rts on what is happening today in Cuba have been, at times very conflicting. **""" Can anyone form an honest opinion when one side says one thing, another gives a completely different picture? For instance, reports from American news agencies have painted an increasingly black picture of the way things have gone in the land of the sugar cane. Yet often the reverse picture is woven by the words of correspondents for some of the British papers. People are oppressed: they are not. People have more freedom: their freedoms have been taken away Cuba is an island of people armed for a scrap: dictatorship has been displaced by yet another dictatorship; Russia has a military^oothold; people live in fear. And so on. What are the answers? What is the rumor, the lie, the propaganda; what is close to the truth? We should at least have a better balanced picture of what is going on in Cuba under Castro when the trade union delegation from B.C. brings back its information. The civic elections •s Vancouver Ltb.ur Council again this year is mount-1 ing a good-sized list of labor candidates for the December civic and municipal elections in the metropolitan area. The very fact that labor candidates are in the field, making certain that no one group has a clear path to election through default of others, is a credit to unionists. They are willing to do the work and put up the money in a campaign that displays a new spirit of interest in the affairs of local government. There may not be a full slate of labor candidates or those of other groups endorsed by labor in your area. It is not an easy task to field good candidates for all vacancies. But there are at least some men and -women who have dedicated themselves to work for their community on the general plan of labor's "platform for progress" and who deserve your attention and your support when voting day rolls around. The elections are still some weeks away. But if you are able, you are urged to give of your time to help the candidates in your area. At the very least you should convince your friends and your neighbors that labor is backing very able candidates who can do a better job in your local government. History of B.C. Labor being compiled by student Production of a history of the labor movement in British Columbia is well along the way. The labor history project was ordered by the B.C. Federation of Labour convention of 1959. This, year's convention was told that a comprehensive research was conducted last summer and a wealth of valuable had been collected. Bob Brodie, a university student, was hired for 2'/-* , months and he taped-recorded many interviews with old-timers in the labor movement, collected old trade union papers/minute books and other items of historical significance. Photographs have been given special attention and many pictures of veteran unionists and special events in labor's history have been rounded up. The convention was told that Brodie will work again next summer and should be able to produce the remaining material needed to start production of a "stirring history of B.C. labor." Destruction of'the United Nations is unthinkable/ says BCFL Formation of strong United Nations international force to control and safeguard the peace of the world is a goal Canada should continue to push, the international affairs coniimittee of the B. C. Federation of Labour has declared. The federation convention report also urged Canada to work towards these objectives: • Full support of the United Nations and its charter and to do "everything possible to keep Intact this international world organization that has ■ lade a major contribution to world peace, and the promotion of social and - economic welfares of all people." • Eventual cessation of the manufacture of nuclear weapons and the working out of a genuine disarmament program to -cover all countries of the world under the guidance and approval of the UN. • To back an agreement re international control and inspection for universal disarmament of thermo-nuclear and conventional weapons. - • Regulation and control of outer space travel and effective international control mea sures regarding spy stations, space platforms, etc. • Diplomatic recognition of the Peoples' Republic of China and its admittance to the UN. . Reviewing the recent events at the UN in New York when :'mdre world leaders gathered together than at _any other time in history," the federation report commented: , "While the United Nations still remains intact, there is some doubt expressed in Quarters as to its future. "This is indeed unfortunate. The only real hope for the nations of Africa and Asia who are emerging from the dark ages lies in the guidance, assistance and unqualified help of the United Nations. "The idea of the destruction of the UN is unthinkable. In the last SO years .too many people have been called on to make the supreme sacrifice in the eternal search for the formula whereby nations may live in peace and harmony with their neighbor. "All in all, world tensions have rapidly increased and we believe we could be standing closer than ever before to witnessing what could be the start of the war to end all wars." What about the U-2 incident and the subsequent scuttling of the Paris Summit conference and the 10-nation disarmament committee in Geneva? The report commented:— "There can 'be no doubt that the U-2 incident was ill-timed and eventually became the main topic of conversation at Paris. "However, this certainly in all conscience, should never have been allowed to be used as an excuse to blow up such an important conference., "Summit meetings are not easily arranged and while there is merit in the thought that meetings scheduled to discuss disarmament, nucAear bans, etc., should be held inside the scope of the United Nations, the fact of the matter remains the conference was organized, it had been five years since leaders of the four rhajor powers had held any major discussions and it was tragic that the conference ended before it even started." or* VIEWPOINT Economic soul searching: Coyne starts Big Debate . (Paddy) By C. P. (Paddy) NEALE Sect.. Vancouver Labor Council This month may well be remembered in Canada as the beginning of The Great ..Debate. All over Canada, university, business, and labor leaders have responded to the initial speech by James Coyne, governor of the Bank of Canada. All indications are that this debate is going to be a really hot one, and we hope it is. . The immediate fury was started by Coyne's speech to the national convention^-of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Calgary. In it, he advocated greater national self sufficiency in areas of saving and investment, and in manufacturing, if Canada is. to preserve itself as a seperate economy, and if we are to provide* the required number of jobs for our growing labor force. This speech, and the whole debate, is the result of economic trends that have been going on largely since 1945. These have resulted in the past three years in a growing deficit in our international balance of payments, of increasing foreign ownership and control of our resources and manufacturing industries, a decline in the proportion of the goods we" consume being produced here in Canada, and a very high rate of unemployment. Organized labor all over Canada and especially in B.C. has been calling attention to these problems in the strongest possible terms in recentjears, because working people, the ordinary citizens of Canada, have been the ones to ^suffer because of these trends. solutions that might have been possible when they were put forward two or t hree years ago. Since Coyne's dramatic speech in Calgary many prominent voices have added fuel to the fire. But they certainly don't all agree. The debate is shaping up into two familiar factions, free traders versus protectionists and we believe this is an unfortunate development. Apparently many people interpreted Coyne's speech as a plea for high tariffs and other C. P. NEALE protectionist pr es. What he did .say was tha /ver a period of time we would have to substitute mucK of the vast quan: tity of goods we import for goods produced at home. This does not necessarily involve wholesale tariff protec- Recently . in Ottawa,, this '!'"' because there are many greardebate was being larried on at a special closed meeting called by .the prime minister. Many groups, including the Canadian Labour Congress, have submitted their ideas for a long-term approach to our current problems. Our immediate regret is that it is too late,for the immediate other methods of encouraging home manufacture. But even if tariffs were used, we have every right to use them, even an obligation to use them. Most international .agreements on trade provide for the imposition of tariff protection when a national economy is in danger. This principle is uni versally recognized. Some prominent voices are advocating that instead of depending on a growth in production of domestic goods, that we encourage more free trade. This would mean a continuance of past policies which have placed us in the position we are today; that is, depending heavily on our export industries while neglecting domestic industries. Actually, the economic problems facing Canada today are far more involved than the traditional one of free trade ver- . sus protectionism. The course of future development in Canada is at stake. We believe that the most significant aspect of the issue today is the place of government in the economic life of our country. This aspect has not emerged as a distinct issue in the debate as yet, but it must be resolved before any significant progress can be achieved. Whatever is decided as the national economic policy in the immediate future-will require a much greater degree of government control and guidance than has been evident in the past 15 years. The policies and ideas being advocated in this great national economic soul-searching will undoubtedly require a degree of government participation in the economy hardly deemed possible just three years ago. If this comes about, and we are optimistic enough to believe we will survive this crisis, a great irony will have beefi perpetrated. That is, what has appeared to- be an altogether separate national issue, that of the degree of government participa- tian in our free enterprise system, will have been resolved almost unnoticed. Not only will this change in our economic life come about almost unnoticed, but it will have come about under a Conservative government, the most active advocate of the completely free enterprise system. LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE EXPERTS NOW AGM The Labor Statesman—October, 1960 Page Five &■_»-.- t i 563. *T*S "Oh, yeah? Who says a desk job isnt hard on clothes?" "I'm not sure I underhand our new company relirement plan. Does it mean we have to be in the boss's company when we retire?* "I'm a victim of the closed shop. The cops caught me openmg one at 2 A.M.! * *I wasn't referring to your non: union pay here, rotts, when 1 •aid youmfmWk. making .enough dough on this job!* Englishmen take a dim view of the American custom of using tea bags to make their favorite beverage. When one Briton was asked how he liked his tea, he replied emphatically, "Please, without surgical dressings!" Columbia power will be cheaper Development of the huge hydro electric resources of the Columbia River system under public ownership — advocated by B. C. labor for years — will mean cheap power in the Lower Mainland for the first time in B. C. history. That was the significant point of the announcement this month on the Canada - U. S. agreement for international development of the Columbia. Estimated cost of power in the Lower Mainland from the Columbia system will be 3.77 mills — a healthy 4ff per cent cheaper than power now supplied by B. C. Electric (average cost of 7 mills). The Ottawa announcement of~the biggest project of its kind in North American history brought the expected reaction from the Wenner-Gren interests of the proposed Peace River power development — a continued attempt to debunk the low cost Columbia power. But this time the array of engineering statistics _jand" facts was too imposing against them. Briefly, the highlights of the Columbia report were: • A treaty will be drawn up INTERNATIONAL for ratification by Canadian and U. S. governments to give the proposal the official go- ahead. ,* • Construction is expected to start in 1961. • Canadian costs total about, $450 million including three major storage dams at Mica Creek, Arrow Lakes and Duncan Lake, - * • U. S. investment is expected to be about the same. • In return for building the storage darns (which will supply water for power at regulated rates of flow and thereby mean less wastage and more generation of power in the U.S.) Canada will be given by the U.S. half of all additional power produced by the U.S. Columbia dam system. (This is the much talked about "downstream benefits") • Canada also will be paid an estimated $65 million in cash over 60 years in return for the flood protection the storage dams will provide. • Federal government has indicated that it will pay half the cost of the development. • Public hearings prior to granted of water licences will be held. Spanish unions' election farce ial trad This month's world affairs article from the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions deals with the fascist version of trade union elections — in Spain. __ if. ^f. .j. When dictatorship regimes announce such democratic processes as an "election" for the trade unions, it is time to examine them for what they are. Such "elections" took place on Sept. 24 throughout Spain for alleged workers and employers' representatives (enlaces) and on Sept. 28 for works' councils (jurados). It is, of course, an axiom for any dictatorship to remain in complete control of s.rch a wide-spread and important body as the' trade unions and the Spanish regime runs true to form. Like other dictatorships, it does pay some lip-service to the principle of democracy and tries to give the impression that the various so-called representatives are actually delegated by the workers. The trade unions, called "vertical trade unions," include workers and employers in the same industry and must place their representation under the control of the official and only party, the Falange. Lists of the candidates for the post of "workers and employers' representatives" are prepared in advance by the official trade union-committees tees and the out-going works councils. In theory, the workers could propose other candidates but, as all elections are subject to confirmation by the state authorities, only people considered suitable toy then*»»_**e i_r~fact accepted. The election farce is maintained with strict penalties for those who refuse to vote, to stand, or to accept a post. Candidates' lists are then submitted to national, provincial and local councils who strike off anyone whom they consider politically suspect or doubtful. When they pass this final barrier, they are permitted to act as "workers' representatives" but only in strictly prescribed fields. For the central committee of the trade unions, which also includes the employers, is staffed by officials who are entirely nominated by government. The dependence of the so-called trade unions on the dictatorship regime is thus made complete. Evidence, if needed, that no thought is tolerated of opposition to the system of imposing the candidates from above comes from the news that 40 workers were arrested in connection with the elections. They were accused of Sponsoring other candidates in connection with the elections. WANTED-BUSINESS AGENT For a Local Union Duties: Assist in negotiation of collective agreements' Plan local union educational programmes. Assist in operation of Shop Steward system. Prepare briefs and reports. Assist in the handling of grievances. Direct organization activities. ' Applicants state age, qualifications, Union experience, references, previous employment record and salary expected. Closing date November 25th, 1960. Address Applications to: Mt. JAMES HUTCHISON. Secretary, Toronto Civic Employees' Union * 32 Marilyn Cres.. Toronto, 16, Ontario. BUFTON'S FLOWER SHOP FLOWERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS "We Telegraph Flowers Anywhere in the World" HA 0187 — HA 3432 1875 Commercial Drive Vancouver, B.C. STERLING LAUNDRY LTD. 100 PER CENT UNION Complete Laundry ond Dry Cleaning 1460 West 7th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. RE 8-7101 Have your car serviced at the station of motoring satisfaction specializing in stfc vice, courtesy and cleanliness. —Tire* Batteries pairs — Motor Tune- I7p — Brake He-Line ft Accessories, Etc. CAROLINA TEXACO SERVICE 615 EAST BROADWAY TRinity 4-0612 VANCOUVER, B.C. Darlington, Haskin & Co. (1943) Limited TILES — MOSAICS - SLATE — TERRAZZO Phone TRinity S-1565 525 WEST EIGHTH , VANCOUVER. B.C. Simmons & McBride Ltd. Directors of Funeral Service PHONE RE 1-4151 1995 WEST BROADWAY "CANADA'S FINEST MORTUARY" Phone TRinity 4-4811 Established 1910 iHcHeeA limited Your Family Dept. Store 1409 KINGSWAY VANCOUVER 12, B.C. UNION LABEL GOODS DISTINCTIVE . . Junei-al £eri>ice S. BOWELL & SONS LTD. Phone LA 2-1671 66 Sixth Street, New Westminster, B.C. Cloverdale, B. C. *' Phone Cloverdale 3-7331 HARRON BROS. LIMITED PTJNERAL DIRECTORS "British Columbia's Finest Funeral Service" CHAPEL OF CHIMES 55 E. 10th Ave. TR. 8-8877 Vancouver ROYAL OAK CHAPEL HE. 1-5577 5152 Kingsway, Burnaby CUTLERY the finest in . . . pocket knives hunting knives, shear.*, dippers ELECTRIC CLIPPERS, VIBRATORS. SHAVERS B.C. Barber Supply & Sundrys Ltd. 736 RICHARDS VANCOUVER. B.C. MARK HAMILTON U. W. (BILL) HAMILTON Hamilton iHcrtuarij /t<f. FUNERAL ADMINISTRATORS FA 5-3311 Fraser St. at 38th Ave. Vancouver IS. B.C. A SPECIAL REPORT ON UNEMPLOYME . ■■•> , *'"•■- "'*'•., ■:>.:*"-■:.'■.■> 'We must come to grips with this problem, - and we must leave no stone unturned...' "If we do nothing else at the convention, we must come to grips with the question of unemployment. We must leave no stone unturned to relieve the distress of thousands of our fellow-workers. We will justly forfeit their confidence unless we act vigorously on their behalf now." This was the frank statement .issued by the officers of 1 the BJ C. Federation of Labor at the fifth. annual convention in Vancouver last week. It preceded introduction of a special resolution on unemployment, which won splid support The officers • declared that "it.is w*-«hinlr.able that we. ••Should drift as we are now doing into _a_ situation comparable with that of the hungry thirties' without making a fighting stand in the matter." Critics have tried to tab labor as alarmists but "the conviction"/fs . gaining ground that unemployment is putting the brakes on our whole economy and that it can be dealt with as we have always dealt with life-destroying plaugues." The statement of policy continued in part: "For a while, big business propagandists tried to lull us BCFL Convention resolution Because of this • • • Canada faces an Increasingly grave economic crisis for the following reasons: 1. Last summer's unemployment was the worst for any summer since prior to World War II. 2. Unemployment is increas- . ing. At the present rate of in- I crease approximately one million persons will be unemployed next winter. 3. Canada has entered a new recession. The industrial index is falling. The Gross National Product has dropped for the first time since the last recession. Consumer spending power is declining at an alarming rate. 4. Factors at^present relied upon for economic recovery cannot stimulate re-employment in time to avert mass un employment next winter. 5. Recovery made after each recession since the war has shown progressively higher levels of unemployment. • 6. A rapidly increasing number of employable workers are compelled to seek social assistance. * * * Measures to stimulate normal and productive employment are vastly preferable to those designed to provide only bare subsistence for the unemployed. Canada has the resources to provide more adequately for pressing social needs and can thereby ensur a a much higher level of employment. Similar measures to those here proposed have been successfully utilized in other countries to avert serious unemployment. we must do this.. This convention of the B.C. Federation of -Labour calls upon the members of its affiliated unions and the general public to support, at all levels nf povernment, the emergent measures here outlined to combat unemployment: 1. Special November sessions of parliament and the provincial legislature to deal .with the crisis of unemployment. 4. The use of government powers and planning techniques to build up industries, especially those related to the development of natural resources, such promotion to be combined with the necessary retraining of workers displaced by automation. Seasonal fluctuations could be to a large extent dovetailed. * 2. The enactment of a Full Employment Act. which would establish full employment as a national goal, and broadly outline the means to attain it. 3. A large full scale public investment program, through the cooperation of federal, provincial, and municipal governments to improve facilities for education, health services, child welfare services, slum clearance, urban re-development, farm modernization, forestry access roads, land clearing, draining and dyking, and highways. Although a crash program is proposed, all such projects have long-range social value. 5. Steps to increase the purchasing power determined by rwage and salary income, as well as farrti income. The proposed program would include reduction of taxes on the lower income brackets, and corresponding increases on profits and capital gains, also improved social security measures for-those retired on low fixed incomes. 6.- Joint planning by labour and management to accomplisn a reduction in the hours of work with maintenance of take home pay, adjustments to meet technological change, and retraining within industry. into a false sense of security. Unemployment was. they said, an unfortunate seasonal phe- nbm'enonn. soon to disappear. . "The public was asked to believe that unemployment was solely due to wage demands, a statement that on the face of it was the cruelest and most despicable lie of our time. "Despite all the evasion tactics used in the matter, our people are now-^awake to the dangers. Every group lay-off. is a fresh tiireat to the security of those remaining on th'-* job. It means a reduction of the demand for the goods and services produced. "Some employers seem to welcome unemployment as an opportunity to renew their demands for a wage freeze or wage cuts. Our petople now realize that in the fight against unemployment they are fighting for their own job security. "We must also make certain that the general public is fully- aware of the dangers in this situation. These dangers affect the whole community, and not merely the trade unions. It requires public action, expressed through all levels of government. It should now be realized that unemployment overshadows virtually every home in the community. Its effects are not confined to Jthose who must queue up fort jobs or aid. '•The small businessmen, the professional men, \'ne managerial staffs can see that as unemployment increases, the volume of business declines, with en immediate pinch on the revenue derived from wage and salary* spending. ■'The Prime Minister has summoned Parliament for November, although he denies that unemployment is the rea son. In the meantime there will be a national conference to discuss the subject. "Evidently, Premier.. Bennett is not yet convinced the*. an early session of the Provincial Legislature is advisable. "It is better economics to invest in measures to stimulate normal and productive employment than it is to finance measures to provide bare subsistence for an army of unemployed. Our people have self-respect, aftd—iaant to exercise the right to work without sacrifice of that self-respect. "The public memory is short. Many of our people have no recollection of the degrading experiences endured during the thirties with its starvation wages for the single workers and slim-fare grocery slips for thousands of families; to- the extent that the trade unions ignored unemployment, to that extent* the trade unions took a severe, mauling. "Membership strength declined. Bargaining strength and wage standards were on all sides threatened by hungry and desperate men. We must r-rove to the unemployed to- da"J» that we are not merely sympathetic, but that we are using the full might of our organized strength to secure practical remedies within the reach of our governments. "We must do all those things necessary to sell our program, first to all our affiliated members, and then to the public in all our communities. •'Everyone has an important stake in economic recovery. Everyone knows that this country cannot endure a prolonged recession, and continuing high levels of unemployment." B C unionists to study Cuba under Castro What's happening behind-the "sugar screen"? How are workers, trade unions and basic freedoms in Cuba faring under Castro's regime? These are questions many labor people in B.C. would like to know — and they would like some first-hand information. Delegates to the B.C. Federation of Labour convention said that the federation should find out by sending a trade union delegation to Cuba "to determine first hand what is h^p^rrfig in that country." HIGH PRAISE FOR ROLE IN DISCRIMINATION FIGHT "' NEEDED: more work. Anti-union legislation condemned B. C. Federation of Labour officers were instructed lo take strong action to accomplish the repeal of restrictive legislation — specifically Bills 143 and 123. The federation convention said the bills constitute a basic denial of human rights as well as denying trade unions the right to function properly. Officers were told "to formulate a policy of full economic and political action, including if necessary the calling of work stoppages and mass meetings, to obtain the repeal of this unduly restrictive labor legislation. Prize winner Winners of prize draws put on by the Union Label Trades Council at the B.C. Federation of Labour convention were: Living room chair by Hammond Furniture and Upholsterers: Ted Church, Pulp and Sulphite, Crofton; school supplies by Columbia Paper and Miscellaneous Workers, J. B. Trodden, Auto Workers Local 1857, and George Pembleton, Local 360, Ocean Fal,ls; cigarettes by Belvedere, Jack Torrance, Papermakers, Campbell River,,' Page Six The Labor Statesman—October, I960 OTTAWA — The Canadian labor movement has won high praise and recognition for its fight against discrimination. A booklet published by federal department of labor entitled "Canadian labor in the fight against, employment discrimination" said in part: "Labor has been instrumental, in co-operation with other agencies, in broadening job op portuniiies. for thousands of Canadians once restricted by religious or racial origin to limited fields of endeavor. "Organized labor has also opposed with a great deal of success discrimination in restaurants, hotels, summer resorts, barber shops, theatres and other places of entertainment and recreation. __ "It has also-been active in efforts to end discrimination in ihe sale and rental of property. It has contributed time, money and most important, experience, in establishing liaison and co-operation with people of •very color and creed in its efforts to •radicate discrimination." —. GET YOUR COPY! Len NORMS' 9th CARTOON ANNUAL A BUSHEL of laughs ... 102 Pages, 101 full-size drawings by Canada's leading cartoonist, on fine paper in a handsomely bound book. On sale everywhere, each copy with a mailing envelope, ready for posting ... $1. On sale at _»ept. Stores, booksellers, newsdealers, ... or order from ,'.-. . ■MOM m Shorter hours and higher wages? ,*•';♦ YES - - HERE'S WHY The Canadian Labour Congress has urged unions across Canada to work for shorter hours in collective agreements. As part of Us statement of employment policy is has urged uiiions to apply the "strongest possible pressure for shorter hours (without reduction of lake-home pay) and for higher wages." This has been denounced as mere crass selfishness and stupid greed.. But the critics have missed the point. The CLC policy which calls for government and public understanding and support is a sound measure to-bolster employment. In this special Labor Statesman report, the CLC position as explained tc the federal cabinet, is reviewed. (SPECIAL REPORT) OTTAWA — The Canadian Labour Congress has hit back at critics' who have denounced labor's b£d to reduce working hours without cutting pay and to work for pay increases as part of a policy to bolster Canadian employment. In a presentation to the federal cabinet, CLC President Claude Jodoin said critics had missed the point of congress' policy. 'The congress is not exhort-* ing its affiliates to force employers to Shorten hours and raise wages beyond their ability to pay," he said. "That would just be silly. If the till is empty, no pressure, however strong, can get anything out of it. "But even though profits generally have been falling not all the tills are empty by any means. - The Congress is simply saying to its affiliates: •When the money is.there, go after your share'." Critics miss point The Gongress • statement to the cabinet went on: "What is mare important is that ihe critics plainly do not understand why the Congress believes that shorter hours with the same take-home pay or higher wages, or both, wherever these things are possible, are an important and essential part of any realistic full employment policy. "Some of the critics could no doubt understand and even applaud the idea of shortening hours and shortening weekly pay proportionately. "But spreading the work in this fashion is just sharing the poverty, spreading the unemployment thin. It does nothing whatever to get rid of the poverty or get rid of the unem-" ployment. "Getting rid of the poverty and unemployment is the aim of any full employment policy and to that aim a mere shortening of'hours, without maintenance of take-home pay, would contribute nothing whatever. "Where they are possible, shorter hours with the same take-home pay mean more employment and a higher total wage bill. They constitute one method of adding to total wagt-eaVner purchasing power. Straight wage increases constitute another method." Worst thing The statement said that Congress and its affiliates always want to raise wages and increase total W3ge-earner pur- chasina power. But why particularly now? Isn't this a time for all of us to tighten our belts? . "Emphatically not. ■ Tightening our belts is the worst thing we can do. Effective demand for goods and service- is already too small an_ we need to gel it up. The last thing we want lo do is to keep it down." The CLC said that consumer demand is a very important part of total demand. Through- ou« the last recession it held remarkably steady: "and, by common consent, that was one of the main reasons why the recession was as short and as small as it was. The resilience of consumer demand was one of the main things that pulled us out of the recession. Consumer demand depends primarily on consumer income.- it we want to increase consumer demand, we must increase consumer income or what is called "personal income." Labor income is a large part of personal income arid is an increasing part- as Canada becomes steadily more and more a nation of wage and salary earners. trary in 1955 the economy began expanding again. In 1958 wage rates rose almost 3.3 per cent, total labor income rose 2.7 per cent, pergonal expenditures^ on consumer good, and 'Services a,* per '" cent. And in* 1959, the econo- "my"started expanding again. "In the light of this record," tha Congress and its unions still refuse to be frightened out of asking for all the wag* increases they can get. "They believe it is essential to do so in order to maintain and increase consumer purchasing power. '«frhis is labor's hold the line policy: hold the labor income line, hold the consumer purchasing power line; and advance both as far and as' fast as you can." The CLC said the necessity of this policy is not rendered less by the recent change in what Dr. D. E. Armstrong writing in "Canadian Business" called "the apparent reaction of consumers to the business cycle." Labor income In 1949, "paid workers" (wage and salary earners) made up 69.7 per cent of total "persons with jobs"; by 1959, the percentage had risen to 80.7. So, if we want to increase personal income, we must increase labor income. What has been happening to labor income? The best one can say is that it has been holding fairly steady. Last year, from January to July,, the seasonally adjusted figure rose about 1.7 per cent; this year, it has risen only about 0.5 per cent. In 1958, a recession year, the increase was about 2.1. ' In the last two recessions at least, voices were heard warning labor thai wage increases would be disastrous. Labor refused to be frightened and it went on asking for increases and getting them. In 1954, wage rates went up 3.2 per cent, total wages and salaries almost 2.7 per cent, personal expenditures on consumer goods and services 3.7 per cent. Result: ruin? destruction of the economy? On the con- Should PNE come under Parks Board ? Research department of the Vancouver Labour Council is studying a proposal that the control of the Pacific National Exhibition and its assess be placed under the Vancouver Board of Park Commissioners. The-proposal was made by Painters Local 138. The union stated that city council should be urged to amend the city charter to make this change. The PNE is set up under the_ charter and is run by a board of directors. Citizens have no vote in the choice of persons who operate the PNE while the parks board is directed by an elected board. The Labor Statesman—October, I960 Page Seven In the article he says: "During the immediate postwar period consumers Were the economists' pest friend. So long as the recessions were mild the consumer seemed prepared to maintain and even increase consumption. As the postwar swings in unemployment have become more seri ous, however, the savings pattern of consumers seems to have shifted in a rather unfortunate way. There were three unemployment peaks: 1950, 1954 and 1958. In the first peak, the increase in unemployment was matched by a noticeable drop in the percentage of disposable income saved. Again in 1954, and in 1955, when unemployment was still relatively high, the rate of saving ielL. "In the next recession .however, savings and unemployment moved in the same direction. The highest proportion of income was saved in the very year that unemployment was at its worst. "It is this kind of reaction on CLAUDE JODOIN the part of consumers that will make future recessions much more dangerous and more difficult, to overcome. In these circumstances, the CLC said, it is more imperative than eyer to do every- ' thins; RO^tbl. to keep up and increase corisumer purchasing power — and the wage-earner purchasing power which is so large a part of it. That is why the Congress and its unions are more determined than ever td hold that line, and push it forward as far and as fast as they can. It is not only in the worker's interest, if is in the national interest. J-- to it... *M ore flavour, more satisfaction! more life, so more like it! j THAT'S WHY IT'S CANADA'S BEST-SELLING BEER! "MABEL BLACK LABEL! This advertisement is not published or displayed bv the Liquor Control Board or by the Government of British Columbia. m SMEAL HITS BACK Big business fired class war during election B.C. TRADE UNION List your union here for quick reference of others Big business in B.C. did more to foster and promote "class ' war" in the recent provincial election than any other single group, B.C. Federation of Labour President Robert Smeal told the federation's fifth annual convention here. In the presidential address to the big convention, Smeal said that business interests had tried to typify labor as a "narr row" selfish minority (which was) interested only in grasping power to further its own selfish aims. "Big business in B.C. has e_ectiyeJLju(made labor the scapegoat for the disastrous results of their own policies." He went on to warn that labor "must prepare to meet the most vicious propaganda" that selfish groups can devise to maintain their position of power and privilege. "But we In labor cannot alter or abandon our belief in the correctness of the principles for which we stand. We- believe that those principles contain all that is necessary for the achievement of social and economic justice for the working people of this province and indeed for all Canadians." The federation president took a swing at the dogged ."free enterprisers" who in government can be blamed for many Jobs lost in pipe contract Shopmen's Local 712 of the Ironworkers lost their bid to have the Greater Vancouver Water Board award a contract for steel pipe to a local firm to help provide employment. The union had urged the contract go to Dominion Bridge — the second lowest bidder. This company has a plant in Burnaby and the union said the amount of pipe would have provided work for about 45 or 50 men for about three months. Local 712 said there was only a small difference between the winning low bid of an outside firm and Dominion's bid. Those voting to give the bid to Dominion were Aid. Jamieson, Adams and Atherton of Vancouver and Reeve Emmotl -of Burnaby. Those against were: Aid. Frederickson (Vancouver) Councillor Whittle (North Vancouver). Reeve Anderson and Councillor Blair (Richmond). Councillor Richardson (West Vancouver), Reeve Hahn (Surrey), Reeve Sutton (Pitt Meadows), Reeve Jenewin (Maple Ridge), Reeve Christmas (Coquitlam), Mayor Hope (Port Coquitlam), Aid. Smith (Port Moody), Aid. A. J. Allison (New Westminster), Councillor CARPENTERS Continued from Page 3 junction with a higher standard of living made possible through our increased productivity. "Having conditions of a depression with us again in this <y__v I960, we have the vital task of obtaining a long overdue shorter working day. "If we are of the„ame kind of clay as our forefathers, we will bring this about soon. "In celebrating this seventieth anniversary of our local union let us be guided by the past in making our union serve us in the future." Huesken (North Surrey), ot our problems today. Free enterprise is a myth, he said. "IThe only freedom it ever involved was complete freedom for those who own or control capital to come and go under incentives of maximum profits." He pointed out that "freewheeling private investment capital" does not respond to national, provincial or regional needs for orderly economic growth or increasing employment opportunities. "There is no law that guarantees full employment in a free enterprise economy,' 'he said. On governments: "The Conservative government in Ottawa and the Social Credit government in Victoria are working under economic and social philosophies that are completely antiquated and totally inadequate for our existing circumstances. AMAU'.AMATEI) VKAT (TTTKRS AND B. W., Looal 21**—Representative. Geo. John-ton, 203 . Labo.- Temple; TR 6-573-. automotive Lor_E No. ism, i. a. of M. Business Agents, Jack Chapman. Brian' Trodden, Room 17, 2414 Main. TR. 6-4104-5. BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERY WORKER8. I*«cal 468—Secretary, Melvln J. Kemmis, 337 W. Broadway; TR 4-9520. CLUB CABARET, CONSTRUCTION CAMP CULINARY AND- SERVICE EMPLOYEES, I,ocal 740—B'.alnesf. Agent, Charles Oates, 402 W. Pender; MC 6-S828. DENTAL TECHNICIANS. Local No. 1643—Secretary George llygh, 4007 Dunbar. Government help "Surely no one today is blind to the need for definite government guidance in the field of investment rate and location or for government guidance in the type of investment projects to assure orderly development and a correct proportion as between our basic and manufacturing industries." He wound up his "state of the union" address with this: "Our economic, social and political aspirations are first and foremost, humanitarian. They are in the best Interests of all the people, totally and individually. "If the term 'Socialist' means inexpensive and universal medical, insurance, if it means the elimination of social injustices, if it means a stable and growing economy, developed for the maximum benefit to all the people, adequate social assistance payments, proper educational facilities, and the many other items we all need, then I am a Socialist — and I hope we are all Socialists in this humanitarian approach to the needs of mankind.' ' But, he said "big money" in B.C. has effectively made "Socialist" a bad word:-•■—- — They aimed their very expensive campaign at those people in our province who do not realize that economic stability and social well being are within the realm of possibility. They used every trick of deceit in the book to scare the voters from supporting a program that placed human needs before private profit, he said. "I am firmly convinced, as are thousands of trade unionists and other thinking people, hat there is within our power the ability to build a better life for all our citizens. "These people are responding to the need for the New Party — a political party dedicated to the idea that economic and social well being are not only desirable but possible. "It remains only for us all to grasp the opportunity." BARBERS. — INTERNATIONAL JOURNEYMEN OF AMERICA. No. 120—109 Labor Temple; TR. 60641. Secy. Allan Coleman. BEVERAGE DISPENSERS' UNION, No. 676—Business Manager, Robt. G. Beddome, 440 \V. Pender St.; MU 3-3!>23 and MU 3-4948. BREWERY WORKERS CNION. 'Local 300—Secretary. Stan G, Tapping, 1145' Klford, K. Burnaby, LA 2-3432. BEVERAGE DISPENSERS t.New Westminster) Local 835—Business Agent, Ed. O. Carlson, 69 Alexander, New Westminster; phone LA 2-7410. BOILERMAKERS, IRON SHIP- BUILDERS. BLACKSMITHS, DROP FORGERS AND HELPERS, Local 359—Financial Secretary, M. H. Hadley, 111 Dunsmuir; Ml* 4-1047. BRICKLAYERS & MASONS INTERNATIONAL UNION, Local No. 1 — Secretary, D. C. Fraser, 5594 Lincoln. HE 3.8617. BUILDING SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL, Local .44 — Business Agent and Secretary, Ben A. R. Morley. Room 216, 603 W. Hastings; MU. 6-9452. BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL—Secretary, Harold Taft, 110 Labor Temple, TB. 9-1210. CARPENTERS' UNION, No. 462— Business Agents: Lorne Robson. Larry Anderson, Bill Cameron; Financial sec't., Carl A. Erickson, Labor Tenmple; TR 4-2720 or TR 6- U'12. ELECTRICAL WORKERS' UNION Local 213 — Business Manager A. O'Keef'e. Ill Dunsmuir Street, MU 1-7381-2. ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS, Local 82—Sec, H. C. MacKlchan, 3755 Elmwood St., Burnaby; HE. 4-7661. OIL. CHEMICAL & ATOMIC WORKERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION Local 16-001. President. F. Q. Geddea; Financial Corresponding , Secretary, J. L. LeBourdais, 5550 E. Haatlnga, CY 8-3940 PAINTERS UNION, Local 138 — Busl- neas Agent,., .lack W. Fradlev; Ass't Bus. Agent, Herb Macaulay: Rec. Sec. W. E. Eaton, 337 W. Broadway TR 6-6033. FIRE FIGHTERS (Burnaby). Local 828—Secretary, John Marley, 550 s Holdom, North Burnaby. FIRE FIGHTERS, Vancouver Local 18—President. Gordon R. Anderson, 1386 Hast 61st, FA 7-372'.'. Secretary R N. Middleton 1496 East 54th, FA 7-7441. FU'ORLAYERS* UNION. U.B. of C.J., Local No. 1541—Room No. 108, Labor Temple TR. 6-592C. Buslnesa Agent. Bruce Robson, 3238 E. 29th; HE. 1-0702. GLAZIERS AND GLASS WORKERS, Local 1527—Recording Secretary, A. Allen. Room 210. 307 West Broadway, phone TR 4-7535. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES' . ASSOCIATION (B.C.)—E. P. O'Connor. Gen. Sec. 2090 West 4th; RE 1-5361-62-63. PAINT AND VARNISH WORKERS', Local 1650—Secretary, C. Erickson, Room 210. 307 West Broadway. PATTERNMAKERS' ASSOCIATION' — SecretaryH. Oliver, 93 Abercrombie, KR1. Richmond, CR. 8-1690. PILE DRIVERS AND WOODEN BRIDGEMEN. IajcbI 2404—Business Agent, S. Allen, Room 116, 307 West Broadway; TR 4-7817. PLASTERERS' UNION, No. 779 — Secre.ury, .1. V. Chambers, 517 East Broadway, TR 2-2122. PLUMBERS ft PIPEFITTERS, Local 170—Bus. Mgr., J. R St. Eloi; Asst. Bus. Mgrs., James Barton and J. L. Fisher, 115 Labor Temple; TR 9-1428. PRINCE GEORGE AND DISTRICT LABOR COUNCIL—909. 5th Ave.. Prlrlce George, phone 191L2. PRINTING PRESSMEN'. Local 69 — Secretary, L. Ainsworth, 3849 Cambridge. Vancouver: CY 8-5405. 4- CARPENTERS (Ndw Westminster) . - local 1215—Business Agents,, Ray West and K. Mck'ermid, office 732 Royal Ave., Nfw Westminster; phone LA. 1-0525.1 CARPENTERS' UNION (Courtenay*. No. 1638—President Irwin Guten- sohn: Sec., and Business Agent, Lorne Paisley; Box 616. Courtenay. CEMENT MASONS. Local 919, OP. & CM—517 E. Broadway, TR 2-2221. Business Agent, Frank Stevens. CIVIC EMPLOYEES UNION, Local 407—President, Lyle Homey. GRAIN WORKERS UNION, Local 333 — Recording Secretary, Garry Dewar, 2116 Dundas. HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES' UNION, No. 180—Business Manager, W. M. Black. 33S W. Broadway; TR. 6-6822. HOTEL AND RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES, Local 28—Sec, A. E. Morgan. Room 406, 402 W. Pender. INTERNATIONAL A S S O CIATION OF HEAT AND FROST INSULATORS, AND ASBESTOS WORKERS —Room 6, 307 West Broadway, phone TR (-6814. INTERNATIONAL LADIES' GARMENT WORKERS, Locals 276 and 287—Business Agent, Anne Marshall, 119 W. Pender; MU. 4-5614; home. HA. 6961M. INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS \OF AMERICA, Local 1-217—President. Syd Thompson: Secretary. S. M- Hodgson, 2859 Commercial Drive; TR. 4-0274. IRONWORKERS SHOPMEN'S, Local Union 712—Business Agent, Benjamin D. Parry. Room 105, 307 W. Broadway. TR 2-5515. PULP AND SULPHITE (Converters) UNION, Local 433—Business Agent, O. Braaten, 525 W. Pender, Suite 1; MU. 3-8284. IN BRIEF Continued from Page 3 red "methods to obtain force, able deductions from wages for the purpose of donating to charitable organizations." T T T FACES — Among delegates obligated and seated this month at VLC meetings were: A. Boyle. Government Employees, Essondale; D. Laird, Building Service Local 244; H. Seier, Fire Fighters Local 1271; J. B. Winton, Government Employees; G. A. Nelson, Marine Engineers; A. Ruppel and C. Black, Operative Potters Local 303; G. McLeod. IAM Automotive Lodge 1857. Annual meeting of Children's Jubilee Summer Camp Association will be held at Stry Hall, 125 East Eighth, Sunday, Nov. 20. Your union is urged to send delegates and to make every effort to have representation as this is an important year for camp decisions. Mt. Pleasant Undertaking 1^. Ltd. - KINGSWAY at ELEVENTH AVENUE KINDLINESS — UNDERSTANDING — DEPENDABILITY LADY ATTENDANT Phone TRinity 6-2161 IRONWORKERS. Local 97 — President, Vic Morell. Fin. Sec. and Business Agent. S. Stewart. Ill Dunsmuir. MU 1-0729. JEWELERT WORKERS' INTERNATIONAL, Local 42 Office, 339 West Pender, MU. 1-5831; President, Frank Popowich, 1706 Napier, HA. 2465R. KAMLOOPS AND DISTRICT LABOUR COUNCIL—Box 562. Kamloops, Phone 3183| Secretary, Mrs. C. K. Mclnnes. LABORERS CONSTRUCTION AND GENERAL. Local 602—Secretary, C. H. Savage, Room 204, 307 W. Broadway; TR 4-9238. LAUNDRY WORKERS, No. 292 — Business agent Mrs. Catherine Browne, Suite 1, 224 East Broadway; TR. 6-4543. LAUNDRY AND DRY CLEANING SALESMEN. Local 334 — J. A. Currie. Secretary - treasurer. 2632 West Twelfth, RE. 8-964?. M A C H I N IST8, I NTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Lodge 692—Business representatives, D. H. Chapman, Room 17, 2414 Main; TR 4-0512, TR 6-7035. MARINE WORKERS- ft BOILERMAKERS' INDUSTRIAL UNION, Local 1—President, S. Jenkins; Secretary. W. Stewart, 339 W. Pender St.; MU. 1-9481. t , MOLDERS' UNION, Local 281—Business Agent, M. BJornson, 111 Labor Temple; TR 6-5920. | MOTION PICTURE PROJECTIONISTS, Local 348—President A. E. McManus <*ect.. E. uranwsv Scan- Ion : Business Agent. Peter Torrance, 1256 Seymour; MU. 4-7024. PULP, SULPHITE AND PAPER MILL WORKERS. Local 312, Ocean Palls. B.C. — Secretary, Drawer 190. Ocean Falls, B.C. PULP, SULPHITE AND PAPER- MILL WORKERS—International office, 316-316 Crown Bldg. H. L. Hansen, International rep.; MU, 4-3858. REFRIGERATION WORKERS UNION, Local 616—Bee. L. R. Win- tie. 137 W. 40th; FA 7-4409, FA 1-8511. RETAIL GROCERY AND FOOD CLERKS, Local No. 1618—Sec W. W. Wells, 337 West Broadway; TR, 6-3348. SCHOOL BOA RD EMPLOYEES' FEDERAL UNION (Burnaby), Local 379—Secretary, G. J. McCrea, 4292 Winifred. S. Burnaby. SHEET METAL WORKERS, Local 280—Bus. Manager, Alex McGee, 207 Labor Temple: TR 4-8020. SHINGLE WEAVERS' UNION, Local No. 2802 — Secretary, Arthur Slusarchuk, 127 East 44th, FA 7-6887. SIGN AND PICTORIAL PAINTERS, Local 726—Sec., J. A. Middleton, 6339 Kitchener. N. Burnaby: Room 210. 307 West Broadway. TR 4^7535. STREET RAILWAYMEN'S UNION. Div. 101—Business Agent, C. Stewart, Street Rly. Bldg., 125 J- Sth; TR 4-2010. STREET RAILWAYMEN'S UNION, No. 134—Bus. Agent, R. C. Lawrence. Room 22, 774 Columbia, New Westminster. Phone LA. 1-7330. THEATRE EMPLOYEES. Local B-71 —Secretary, Mrs. F. Foster, Ste. L 4508. Main; TR 9-5463. Business Agent, D. Calladlne, 6692 Laburnum. AM. 1-0078. TILE SETTERS. Local No. Z—Recording Secretary, D.„ P. Ewan. 4030 Dominion S. Burnaby. TUNNEL a ROCK WORKERS, Local 168—337 W. Broadway, Secretary, H. Croft; phone TR 9-3231. TYIOGRAPHICAL UNION. Local 226 — Secretary. P. Campbell, 617 E. Broadway; TR. 6-6810. ' UNION LABEL TRADES COUNCIL —Secretary, Mrs. A. E. Hallock, day phone TR 4-0827; evenings TR 4-3748. UNITED GARMENT WORKERS' UNION, No. 232—Secretary, Elsie Hawrylechko, 1846 Nelson, MU. 1-4802. UNITED GARMENT WORKERS, Local 190—Recording Secretary. Mrs. Frances Mills, 4V65 Slocan, HE 1-9886. ; MUSICIANS' UNION, Local 145 — Business Manager, 402 W. Pender. Room 815: MU. 4-1664. » ! I i hi'ii- OFFICE EMLOYEES' INTERNATIONAL UNION, Local II—Boom 1, 217 West Broadway; TR 4-3515. Pat Landsley, Buslnesa Agent and President; Dorothy Potuzak, Sec't.- treasurer. OFFICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION, Local 378— Business Manager Bv. King, 1116 Hornby; phone MU. 3-6134. UNITED 8TEELWORKERS Of AMERICA, I ical 5688—Sec. Wm. Giesbrecht, 2384 West Broadway. UNITED STEELWor.KERB, Local 2655—Recording Sect. Arne Hansen, 3510 Phillips, North Burnaby, ■ CY 9-4264. UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUM- BIA EMPLOYEES' UNION, Local "■f;—Sc'retary, A. Leathern, 111 East 8th St., North Vancouver. WATER AND SEWER BOARD *__T PLOYEE8, Local 393 — Secretary, Robt. T. Callahan, 461 Wcstvlew, Coquitlam. WOOD, WIRE 4k METAL LATH-HUt Local 107—Pres. R. Buttle, 8«c. O. A. Garrison; Organizer. A. H. Burton. Office. Room 210. 107 W. Broadway. TR. 6-1221. 4 Page Eight The Labor Statesman—October, 1960
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.
Newspapers
Vancouver (B.C.)
English
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Vancouver, B.C. : Vancouver and District Labour Council
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/
Original Format : UBC Library
The Labor Statesman
Text