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[The Labour Statesman]
BC Historical Newspapers
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t 4-2 AFL - CIO § n ric Agreement-—see Page 8 <r fflf OWNED BY THE VANCOUVER, NEW ff "£ JER AND DISTRICT TRADES AND LABOR COUNCIL NUMBER 674—Eight pages VA* .C, FEBRUARY 28, 1955 Established 1924 'The Senator Calis It Quits9 '■ . . . From Loaves To Loafing After 35 Years After 35 years in the trade union movement in Vancouver, "the Senator" has decided he's due for a well-earned rest. "The Senator" is Ernie Holmes, the good-natured, rotund business agent and secretary of the Bakery Salesmen's Local 189 who's officially retired from his post after 17 years. Ernie, who's spent his entire career in the baking industry, has a long labor record. He's been active with the Teamsters since he joined the bread drivers in 1920, was president of the Union Label Council for four years and served on the Trades Council executive for four years. He's one man who could both bake a good loaf and deliver it, too. Ernie got a good grounding in the baking industry in Toronto with his dad before he came west in 1920. The Derbyshire-born baker, arrived here and was route boss for that firm. Later he went to Shelly's and then in 1938 was started in bakery delivery with the old Griffiths Bakery when he elected to handle the union's business office. "One thing I'm proud of was our big battle to get the five-day week," Ernie told The Statesman. "We were the first union in Canada to get the shorter week for delivery men." What's he going to do now? "Oh, I'll just loaf around and play the odd hand down at the club," the 73-year-old labor man said. He's kicking tradition in the teeth. Most people when they retire, claim they're anxious to get out and putter in the garden. "There are two things in life I hate," he declared, "and they're both gardening." * • • • • • The Headliner • • • • • ON THE HOUSE—Electrical workers in Chicago have wrapped up their agfg-ment--incruaitig -ggcK worker's birthday as a day pf. with pay. Affected "are about 37,000 men. WELCOME—A* the great grandfather of all labor publications in B.C., the State*- jjUSi man take* pleasure this month (Con't on Page 2) Metal Trades Urge Aid To Shipbuilding Garland Named. By Film Men D. Garland is 1955 president of Film Exchange Employees Local F-71 and N. Brenner Is secretary. Other officers of the local union are vice-president H. Heck, treasurer S. Pemberton, business manager J. Braverman and recording secretary E. Bronger. ^ Council Mokes Plea To Cabinet To Restore Fleet Through Subsidy Vancouver paign to pers ihwuitrr-1"*:-4 •/ to restore Canada' to its fc cam- DONATED BY PROJECTIONISTS UNION Local 348 to the Children's Hospital was this motion picture camera which will be used to record progress of patients and aid doctors. In this picture by Lily Nelson, members W. A. McCartney and F. M. Smith demonstrated for little John Peter. e uttawa to restore Canada to its tormer position as a great shipping and ship-building nation. The Council has made a strong plea for federal subsidies to the industry, declaring that almost all Canadian deep-sea ships have been transferred to foreign registries and most major repairs are done in foreign or British yards. "We are appealing to you as the elected representatives of the people of this coast to take this matter up in Parliament and endeavor to have Canada's Merchant Fleet rebuilt to such an extent that we can all be proud of it," The letter concedes that competition'from other countries has resulted in the almost complete ("isbandonment of the wartime fleet. "This council feels, nevertheless, that the government of Canada owes its citizens more than just accepting those reasons, especially when it comes to ex- (Con't on Page 2) VGHMembers Vote Soon For Officers Members of Vancouver General Hospital unit of Hospital Federal Employees Union Local 180 will know on March 22 who their new officers will be for BOXSCORE Unemployment during January reached a record post-war high. The bureau of statistics in sampling 30,000 households said the total - out of work was 362,000. The National Employment Service said it had 569,582 applications for jobs. Both TLC and CCL congresses have estimated there are more than 550,000 jobless in Canada and "from every indication there will be at least 100,000 more at the peak winter period." Last November, Prime Minister St. Laurent told the TLC he could not accept the TLC prediction that unemployment this year would be more serious than fast year. This week TLC President Claude Jodoin. declared a federal-provincial conference should be called to devise ways of creating more jobs. (See Editorial next aace) Sign Agreement About one-third of the members of the North West Contractors Association—group of house contractors on the North Shore —are now under union agreement, Building Trades Council reports this month. - 1955. Hector Carden is opposed by J. Murray for chairman; vice- chairman nominees are C. Oldham and C. Steele; K. Cowan, A. Jeffrey and E. Thomas are running for the conductor post; and four — J. Lawson, T. Myles, B. Wardrop and William Rae—are contesting the warden job. Only one position was filled by acclamation at this month's meeting, when P. Forsha was returned as secretary. Advance poll will be held on March 16 in Room 108, Labor Temple for members on night shift and days off. . General bal- lotting will be held on March 18 at 685 West Tenth from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. _a_ ■M-a Page Two THE LABOR STATESMAN February 28, 1955 HEADLINER «*-«> ia welcoming a pair of smart- looking new contemporaries— the rejnT-n«t_d "Provincial" pahl'shed by Government Em- pluj-Si* Association, and the "Ho.pital Guardian" published by Hospital Employees Federal Union. Both look good, and we can't resist the temptation to point oat that the prose in the Provincial ie truly deathless — there isn't a publication data mentioned anywhere in the 16-page issue. * • * ."■*_. BOUQUET—Executive of Trades and Labor Council threw one to C. E. Youngs of Taxi Drivers local 151 this month, when they requested him to continue for the next two years as council delegate to Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society. The delegates agreed that Youngs be commended "for excellent work he has done on behalf of the council." • . * * THE RIGHT IDEA—City Condi last week had the job of awarding the contract for police aad fire department skirts and without too much tussle, picked a union firm Both bids were from Montreal firms. Aldermen hacked the fair-wage policy aad the union organized plant of Tooke Bros, won Ao nod over non- onion BVD. even though the Took* shirts worn five-cents Welfare Work Needs You Labor men and women should take more individual responsibility in welfare services by becoming menmen^f^b^i^^djwc- tors and serving on special com- mittes, it was decided last month* by more than 50 labor delegates and social workers who met at labor-social work institute sponsored by labor participation committee of Community Chest and Council The-meeting was held to explore the common goals of labor and social workers; to inform labor leaders of the health and welfare services available; and to provide professional social workers with information on the work accomplished by organized labor. Vancouver Trades and Labor Fred Hume had to -hat the Police Federal Union is made of staunch union men. "We had better bay the union-made skirts, because you can bet your life the poKcomen won't if they don't have label" WELCOME TEDDY—Longtime labor man, president of the Trades Council for years and former secretary of the old Labor Relations Board, A. E. Ted" Jamieson has been named new business agent for three affiliates of Painters Union. Hell act for Glaziers, Signpainters and Varnish Workers. IT'S A CRIME—Jim Morrison of Beverage Dispensers 835 report* nine employees of ■t oa Kingsway who cards have been xcuse gi.cn is that they refused to bny government saving* bonds. Morrison will be pleased to supply the name to any labor depart- investigator looking for -traventioas of the labor BACK AGAIN—Lew Sonter, former secretary of the Vancouver Building Trades Council, this month is back at a Labor Temple job. Along with John Marcus, Souter was elected a business agent for Ironworkers Loeal 97. Other officers named were president Roderick Morrison, aad vice-president Robert MYSTERY—Where did the lawyer who acts for the PNE get the idea that Trades and Labor Council has dropped its opposition to the proposed new constitution of the ex- The Big Chief On These Councils Wears A Skirt OTTAWA.—The fair sex is stepping ahead in the trade union movement Sister delegates have been "lected to head three Trades and Labor Council in Canada, the TLC reports. In Regina, new Council president is Amy Knox, a member of Regina Hospital Employees Federal Union 176. In Port Arthur, Mrs. Joseph Kushner, a nurse's aid at Porth Arthur General Hos- nital and member of Building Service Employees Local 268, has been elected Council president; while Mrs. Anna MacLaren now "eads the Trades Council in Leth- •*ridpe. Council vice-president George Johnston was chairman of the attendance and registration committee of .the institute, which was held"'over a two-day perpd in the YWCA Although no formal resolutions were adopted, the delegates decided that: Use of the Word "charity" should be avoided; Health and welfare services now available to everyone in the community should be extended; There should be a province- wide study to look into existing recreation programs, and to determine whether the best use is being made of existing facilities; Organized labor is accepting more responsibility in community affairs, but labor men and women need to take more individual responsibility in welfare services by becoming members of boards of directors and serving on the special committees. Te labor delegates expressed concern at the lack of knowledge by the public generally of the existing network of health and welfare services. Conciliation board majority report has recommended a $30 monthly increase from Jan. 1 to four engineers of Operating Engineers Local 882 employed by Chilliwack General Hospital. . Distillery Union Organizes North Van Plant Canadian Melrose Distillers Ltd., North Vancouver; have been organized by Local 153, International Union of Distillery and Wine Workers (AFL-TLC). Certification covers warehousemen, yardmen, maintenance men and production workers. Trades and Labor Council has reiterated its support of the recommendations of the Royal Commission for the advancement of arts and social sciences, and has asked Trades and Labor Congress to do the same. TRADES UNION DIRECTORY LABOR TEMPLE. SOT BROADWAY WEST amalgamated Meat Cutters and B. W., Loeal SU — Representative. Geo. Johnston, 203 Labor Temple; EM. 5735. *" Anto Workers' traloa, lodge No. 1867, I. A. of M.—Business Agent. Gordon Webb, 2414 Main St.; EM. 4104-5. SHIPBUILDING «=-*« -■orting Canada's resources to other countries," the letter Continues: ' "REATLY NEGLECTED "We think that this industry has been greatly neglected by ♦he government and allowed to *-e absorbed by outside interests -'hose chief concern is to get all *wey can out of Canada as cheaply as possible." The Metal Trades Council said 't. believes that a sub»Mv for the ^hinnine* and shinbuildinsr industry would help greatly to sllevi- -<te unemployment on both coasts. "We nave the yards, we have the material and men who know how to build shins with anv na- ■"Jon in the world, as was proven ■'uring the war.'" R. & Gervin* will renresent Trades and Labor Council at a meeting March 17 of the Vancouver Local Employment Committee. hibition body? Despite the lawyer's remarks in, the daily wess, the council remains opposed to the constitution, and is making* its views known in Victoria. TAKES OVER — Herb Mac- anlay who's had 30 years in the trade has been elected financial secretary and business agent of Painters Local 138. Herb, formerly Bui. for Glaziers 1527. Sign- painters 726 and Varnish Workers 1550 for two years, takes over from Jack Eaves who is now Western Canada organiser for the international. Brace Mitchell was elected to the vacant trustee post of Local 138, Bakery aad Confectionery Workers local 408 — Secretary, Melvln J. Kemmis. Room 105, Labor Temple; DI. 9520. Bakery Salesmen, local 189, I. B. T. C. aad H.—Business Asent, A. • Wylle, 208 Labor Temple; EM. 52S0. Barbers—International Journeymen of America, No. 180—Secretary, C. E. Herrett, 115 Labor Temple; EM. 0641. B.C. Bleotrlo One* Employee* As- ■oolatlon — Business Manager. E. King. 425 Csrrall. PA. 1212. Looal 424; home, 1306 E. 15th: DI. 0084. Beverage Dispensers Union, He. 678 —Business .Manager, Robt. O. Beddome. 440 W. Pender St.; MA. 892J-4948. Beverage Dispensers (-Tew Westminster) local B3B — Business Asent, J. F. Tomson. 70—8th 8t.. New Westminster; phone N.W 4868. Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders, . Blacksmiths, Drop Forgers and Helpers, local SSS — Financial Secretary. M. H. Hadly. Room 811. 628 Beatty; TA. 1047. Building Mat. rial and Fuel Truck Drivers' Union, loeal 313—Business Agent, R. Bonnell and J. WMteford, 529 Beatty St.; MA. 1928. Building Bervloe Bmployees, loeal 844—Business Agent, Ben Morley. Room 808, 144 W. Hasting*. MA. 946S. Building Trades Council—Secretary. Ed Kennedy, 102 Labor Temple: EX 1210. Carpenters' Union, Ho. 488—Business A<»ent, R. Buchanan1: Flnan- einl Secretary, P. J. DeoH"«v: Labor Temple; DI. 2720 or EM. 1212. Carpenters (Hew Westminster! local .1361—Business Agent. Robert Groves, office 7*2 Rovsl Ave.. New Westminster: phone N.W. 88: residence phone N.W. 8878-L. Carpenters' Union (Courtenayt. Ho. lfl-8—John Hansen. Pres.: Robert Hamilton, Sec.; Box 515, Courtenay. Cement Masons, loeal SIS, O.P. k C.M.—R. R. Bsker, 271 Reta: OL. 0AS7-R, secretary; Dispatcher, TA. 8814. Civic Bmployeee Union, loeal 407 —President, Sam Lindsay. Room 220. Labor Temple: FA. 8448. Club. Cabaret. Construction Camp Online--, and Service -hnplovoes. local 740—Bnslness Agent. O. W rVnikner. 440 W. Pender: MA. jul ; k Dental Technicians, loeal Ho. 811. I. O. W. U.— Secrets ry. Don La Id- law, 984 Queens Rd. W.. North Vancouver: North 2882-L-8. DlwtHl.ry Workers' Union. Ho. - Secretary, F. Case, 1634 E. 41st Bleotrloal Workers' "Onion, local 818 —Buslnesa Manager, Deorge Gee. Ill Dunsmulr St.: PA. 7881-S. Blevator Constructors, looal 83— Secretary. H, C. Ma.Kl.han. <*3* Elm wood St.. Burnaby: DE M89-L. Bnamel Workers' T. d*Y"l Union, local 881—SecreUry, Wm. Gles- brecht. 1889 Parker, Engineers, Hoisting and Portable, loeal 115—Business Agent. A. W. Scott. Ill Dunsmulr St.; HA. 8849. MA. 20S6. Engineers, School aad Caretakers, loeal 883 — Secretary. fJeorge Zallo. 380 E. 15th Ave.: EM. 6934. Bnglneers' Union (I a ting), loeal He. 88* — Bus! Agent. Harry Berger. Ill Dunsmulr St.: TA. 4888. Eire Fighters (Burnaby). loeal 333 —Secretary. L H Buckley. 4337 Triumph. GL. 8186-R. Eire Fighters. VancouTer. local 18 —President. Hector Wright 414» Marguerite: CH. 4148. Sec. Prank Bain. 4559 Belmont. AL. 8518T. Floorlayers' TJnlon, V. B. ef C. J_ looal Wo. 1841—Room lit. Labor Temple. Business AgenL R- V Nash, 8808 E. 18th Ave.: DE . 24S9-L Glaziers aad Glassworkers. local 1887—Recording secretary. W. C Norton. 68S9 free. Phone FR 4188 S-nrornassal Hiplsy—a. a—oc-attoa (B.C.) — E P. O'fonnor. General Secretary: A. C Bennett. Assist ant General Secretary. 902 Helmcken: TA. 8441-1 Hospital Bmployees' Union. Ho. 180 —-Business Manager W M Black 118 Labor Temple: EM. 5822. Hotel and local 38—Business Ace nt. «Mr« » Chris. Waddell, 488 W. Pender: PA. 7988. International Association of F.»» and Vrost Tnsnta'OT*. and asbestos Waiters—Boom 5. Ill Dunsmulr; PA. 7815. International ladles' ers, loeal 378 aad 387—Business Agent. Anne Marshall. 118 W Pender; TA. 1814: home. HA 5981M. Ironworkers gliftfsa-i leeel . 7»9—Bnslness Agent. V E Steers '807 W. Broadway: DI. 5811. Ironworkers. locM 97 — Business Agent. John " Marcus. Roo" 111, Labor Temple, DT. kens 8232. laborers. Construction and Gene sal (International Hod Carriers) local 808—Secretary.' A Footer. Room ' 6, 807 W. Broadway. DT. 9233. laundry Workers. Bo. 888)—Business Asrent. J. H. Irvine 188 Labor Temple: EM. 4848. Maohlnlsts. International tion, lodge 69_—Business Repre- sents'We Richard Oam»». Boom 111, 807 W. Broadway: EM. T8SI. MouOil _riC»^sJP© 848—Bnslness Manager. L Wat ker: Secretary. Geo. Thrift. 885 E. Broadway: FA 8882. Holders' "Stolon. T-ocal SU—Business Agent. M. Blomson, 118 Labor Temple; EM. 6988. Musicians' tTnlon. local 148—Business Manager. Geo. E. Leach. 488 W. Pender, Room 898: TA. 1584. Plasterers' Union, Wo. 778 — Secretary. W. E. Mc.Mynn. 4889 Eton. N. Burnaby: OL. 2848-R. Plumbers and Pipefitters, local 178 —Business manager, Norman Uphill: Asaistant Business Manager. James Barton: 109 Labor Temple: EM. 7285.. Prince George 8- District Trade* * ft labor Council — Secrets ry'a office 1331 4th Ave.. Prince George. B.C.: phone 82I-R-1. eg Pressmen, local 88—Secretary Thomas S. Exert, 5407 Commercial Drive; phone FR. 1848. Pulp It* (Converters) Business Agent, O. Braaten. 525 W: Pender. Suite 1: TAtlow 1648. Pulp aad Sulphite Workers, looal 313. Ooean Falls, B.C.—Secretary. John* Mathleson. Drawer 190. Ocean Falls. B.C. SUoumj aad Food Clsrks. loeal Ho. 1818—Secretary. D. A Wade. 205 Labor Tempie: EM SS48. .,..._ 1 „, ..nil III I ■ Flip. Sulphite aad FapennlU Work- era—International office. 44t W Pender. H. L Hansen, International representative, phone TAtlow 3858. Employees Federal Union (Burnaby) loeal 878—Secretary. G. J. McCrae. 8899 Lane. 91 Burnahy. International Union •— Secretary. Norman Cunningham. 288 Main: PA. 7824. IVorkers, Bualness Manager. James Walker. 887 Labor Temple: DI. 8088 Weave**' Union, local Ho. etary. J. E. Hlrd. 1584 W. «5th: KE 4428-L atbullders. Joiners and Caulkers, local Wo. 606 — Business Agent. J. T Best. 411A W. Cordova St.: TA 8785. _ and Pictorial Pa'. ters. loeal 788 Sen-tary. J. Middle ton. 6839 Kitchener. N. Burnahy. GL. 271QT. Street Stallwaymen's Union. Div. 181 —Business Agent, C Stewart. Street Rly. Building. 186 E. 8th: DI. 2010. Street StaUwaymen's Union, H*. 134 Business Agent. R. C Ijiwrencc. 59 Alexander. New Westminster. Phone 1848. Ta-d Mwer*. local 181—Secretary. C. Oower. 884 Labor Temple: EM. 6888. Theatre w_-playe—. leeel B-73 — Secretary. Bob Foster. No. 6. 1664 Wolfe Ave.: CE. 5858. local Ho.»—Recording Secretary. J. Neville. 8881 School Rd.. Vancouver 16: DE 133S-R. Track H.U-I-* Union, local He. 81 —Business Agent*. Reg. Lenfesty ■ml C Snlem. 888 W. Broadway: -m ite. —J aad Bock Workers, local 188 —Secretary William Hnnchnk. Room 866. 689 Beatty: MA. 7251. Office Union, local IS—888 W. Broad- day: EM. 4218. Secretary. Eileen w-rt: Recording Secretary, Lama Ward. Typographical Union, local 886— Secretary. P. Campbell. 318 Labor Temnie F.M St1» Painters, local 188 Buslneaa Man- ne'er, Jack Fares. 168 Labor Temple; EM. 6683. Paint aad Tarnish 1550— Secretary. V. Glardln, 745 Prior: HA. 0542-L. Patternmakers' A—oclatton Secrc- ary, EL Westmoreland. 4664 Mountain Highway, North Vancouver; YOrk 8916. Pile Drivers and Wo looal 8404— Business Agent. & Blr St.;PA. 4946. Allen, 111 Dunsmulr i Trade* Council—Secretary. A. E. Hallock. day phone TAtlow 8617. evening*. PI. 3748. Wo. 838—Secreury. Phyllis Fanus; Ol. 8SS4-R. Secretary. A. Leathern. 616 East 8th St. North Vancouver. rater District. Sewerage and Drainage Hoard Bmployees. " —O. Fatten, 4915 Earli 6235R. rlesRd-. DE. 807— Secreury. Glen Lang- 1449 Ron-row; faA. #441. ■_■ wmm February 28,1955 Trades Council Policy Body THE LABOR STATESMAN Page Three V |jy*- .,'. JL The men and women who set the policy of Trades and Labor Council as members of the important committees were named at a meeting: of council this month. Here they are: Organizing committee: George R. Bengough, carpenters 452 (chairman); J. Whiteford, truck drivers 213; Norman Musgrave, meat cutters 212; Ed Kennedy, painters 138; W. G. Gauld, miscellaneous 351. Legislative committee: Jack Henderson, building service 244 (chairman); D. King, truck drivers 31; S. C. Allan, pile drivers 2404; Mrs. A. Halloran, garment workers 232; Miss Ber- nadette Gouthro, office employees 15; A. Cameron, ironworkers 712; J. Hayward, street railway- men 101; E. P. O'Connor, B.C. Government Employees' Association; R. K Gervin, street railwaymen 101; D. W. Lovelock, photo engravers 54. Press committee: Bill Weaver, secondary teachers' association (chairman); A. T. Alsbury, civic employees 407; R. K. Gervin; W. Giesbrecht, enamel workers 291; Ben Morley, building service 244; C. Waddell, hotel and restaurant workers 28; A. Langout, fire fighters 18; A. Coleman, barbers 120; J. McArthur, painters 188. Grievance committee: Ev King, BCE employees 378 (chairman); C. E. Herrett, barbers 120; R. K. Gervin; V. Steers, ironworkers 712; Alex Patterson, hospital employees 180. . Education committee: Dave Wade, retail clerks 1518 (chairman); Norman Murgrave, meat cutters 212; Jack Paterson, retail clerics 1618; H. J. Bell, teamsters 351. One more member will be appointed after consultation with teachers' association. Credential committee: G. Johnston, meat cutters 212 (chairman); Dave Wade, retail clerks 1618; C. E. Herrett, barbers 120; Norm Uphill, plumbers 170. Dental Group Wins Support President Tom Alsbury and secretary R. K. Gervin will accompany representatives of Dental Technicians 611 when they visit Victoria seeking an amendment to the Dental Act which would better conditions in their industry. Acting president George Connolly told delegates to Vancouver Trades and Labor Council that dentists are taking advantage of technicians through existing loopholes in the act Alternate' Rejected STAUNCH LABOR PIONEERS are these members of "Senior Members Association" of Carpenters' 452, shown a£ they gathered for their third annual social evening. Their ages ranges from 65 to 84—and between them they have chalked up 497 years of service to the labor'movement. They are: Bill Forret, Archie Fletcher, Fred Gathercole, Bob Hatley, Bill Harvey, Murdo McKenzie, George McClelland, Jack McGlashan, Frank Piatt, Albert Powers, Joe Spouler and J. G. Smith. NEWS FROM LOCAL 244 Building Staffs Fight Back By BEN MORLEY Local 244 this month declared war on unscrupulous janitor contractors by passing two resolutions aimed at making it im- Driver Classes For Students -;mm. Urged By Union Pioneer Division 101 of Street Railwaymen has urged the provincial Government to reinstate and extend driver training for high school students. "The government can spend money in no better way than helping to make sure that the death toll, the accident toll and the high damage costs on our streets are substantially reduced" through student driver training, the union said. "Our only criticism of the program in the past was that it did not go far enough," said business agent Chas. Stewart, "Not enough students were given the opportunity to learn to drive properly and not enough money was made available to make the program the success it could have been." Unwillingness of the government to act is "nothing short of criminal negligence" the union said. It urged PTA groups, trade unions, service clubs and other organizations to call for government action. JOHNNY'S BARBER SHOP Two Barbers at Year Service at Johnny's.Barber Shop NEXT TO THE LABOR TEMPLE—335 WEST BROADWAY METROPOLE HOTEL taboouvbb'S rormsM tamsxy hotei REFRESHMENT PARLOR 320 Abbott Street (opposite Woodward*s Stores) J. B. (BI.AC-CIB) BBHGBBT, Proprl.tor possible for these individuals to avoid paying a fair day's pay for a good day's work. At the last membership meeting of the local, members heard complaints of employers cutting the hours of janitresses in order to avoid payments of unemployment insurance; of employers attempting: to enter into contracts with their employees to evade the hours of work act; and of attempts to circumvent the wages and conditions of union agreements. One resolution would amend the minimum wage order by including window cleaners; by increasing the minimum wage in the industry to 85 cents per hour; and by setting a daily minimum» guarantee of four hours for each employee. The second resolution requests the minister of labor to add the occupations of janitors, window cleaners, elevator operators and the theatre and amusement industries to the list of trades covered under the "Semi-Monthly Payment of Wages Act" A committee has been set up to press these projects, and it is understood that both the labor minister and the Board of Industrial. Relations are willing to hold talks on the subject Negotiations with Richmond School Board are proceeding favorably, with the board agreeing to the union request for a five-day, 40-hour week. The board has also offered a three percent increase in wages, two more statutory holidays, and an improved sick-leave-with-pay plan. Final agreement will be worked out at a meeting soon. Langley School Board negotiations are also coming along well, and it is hoped an announcement can be made Boon. After four-and-a-half months of waiting, members finally received wages due them by Continental Janitor Service. Cheques totalling $800 were distributed by the Dept of Labor. Delegates to Trades and Labor ConncU have decided not to set up a system of alternate delegates, but there win be a tightening up on admission procedure at meetings. The credential committee reported that labor councils in seven Canadian and American cities were contacted and only one provided for alternate delegates. And after checking the attendance records the committee found that'there was no particular problem facing any of the member unions of the council, although there is room for a general tightening upon admission procedures, in the face of complaints that cards from delegates have been turned in but the delegates themselves are absent In view of this situation, delegates voted to establish the following procedure: . The warden and statistician will be on hand at 7:45 p.m. on meeting nights, and only one door wiU be open. The warden wiU check admittance cards, and delegates without cards, will be asked to sign mimeographed forms made available by the statistician. Trades and Labor Council has made a contribution of $25 to the fund of the B.C. Natural Resources Conference. Phone: FAirmont 6276 Stoneberg Bros. Plating Works We Specialise in Hard Chromium and Heavy Industrial Plot** Chrome, Nickel, Copper. Electro Tinning. Polishing, eU 436 East 5th Ave., cor. Guelph and 5th Ave-, Va i;n), nijwi "AFRAID OF DOCTORS' BILLST Who Isn't? The present-day trend in Union Agreements is towards medical protection. Before opening negotiations for a new agreement see us for the most complete coverage for the lowest rates for Groups in B.C. today. C. U. h C. HEALTH SERVICES SOCIETY Broadway at Quebec VANCOUVER 10, B.C. who says so NEWS IN BRIEF Carpenters Local 2527 have been certified to bargain for mill- workers at Ace Fixture & Furniture Manufacturing, Victoria. General Truck * Drivers Local 31 now bargain for truck drivers 'and swampers employed by Melny's, 514 West Broadway. To get the facts straight, it's only common sense to be sure of sources, to doable-check for accuracy. Province reporters and editors have a reputation for fair, unbiased reporting that makes them respected wherever the Province is read. It will pay you, too, to be a regular reader of **H:Hs milk jf j.jjjjjjj * The Vancouver Page Four THE LABOR STATESMAN February 28, 1955 THE LABOR STATESMAN Published last week pf each month at Labor Temple, 307 West Broadway, Vancouver 10, B. C. Authorized as second class mall. Post Office Department, Ottawa The Labor Statesman Is owned by the Vancouver. New Westminster and District Trades and Labor Council, and supported by 114 local unions •To each union member the political party of his choice" „ ' '■■ . .'. ,r.: ' .1 - :...V,_; ,[.j:A}S'^tiSSSmilif^^--^_'j-: ' ■- "Build Strong Unions for Social ■•cnrlty" R.K. GERVIN. ^Secretary TRADE UNION FOIBLES BILL WEAVER, Chairman Press Committee Subscription Rates: $1.60 per year; to Unions, 8c per copy Vancouver, B.C., February 28, 1955 FACE THE FACTS News from Ottawa this week reveals that unemployment totals during January hit a post-war high. Labor has continually warned that the jobless problem would reach serious proportions and we hope the government is shocked now by its own admission. The Labor Statesmarrnas supported Trades^and tabor . Congress policy on unemployment many times and during the past year has urged Ottawa to adopt a realistic attitude and plan for just such a situation as that which faces us today. When TI_C leaders met the cabinet in Ottawa last November, the government answer -in effect was that unemployment problems weren't as bad as labor tried to picture them." That's been proved wrong. . Being more closely in touch with employment problems than anyone, labor has adopted sound, down-to-earth policies that merit honest consideration. Prosopals by the Congress in some small measure have been adopted by the government, which proves their soundness. But there is much more to be done. The TLC said anti-dumping legislation should be enacted to prevent layoffs in some industries, that a broad program of public works should be planned and put into action', that contractors should be urged to plan construction work during the slack employment periods of winter and spring, that -aH-levels of government should put better planning into expenditures. And to establish a much-needed overall, program for employment, the TLC consistently has said a national advisory committee should be set up to study and recommend on this problem of seasonal unemployment, and that dominion- provincial talks should be initiated. At this point it would be easy to look the government squarely in the eye and blurt "we told you so." But that would accomplish nothing. Ottawa needs simply to face the facts and get to work. WRONG APPROACH City Council has been crying the "budget blues" for many weeks but no one can be expected to give serious consideration to its proposal to cut wages of civic employees by five percent. As Firefighter's Union President Hector Wright stated during one "negotiation" session with Council's bargaining committee: "It's time -aldermen dropped the balleyhoo and started honest negotiations." We don't deny that the city is faced with financial troubles. The same problem is faced each year. Bui no alderman can seridusly say that the city's 3500 civic workers should be asked to dig into their pockets to solve the tax problems of 400,000 citizens. How unfair can you get? National productivity continues to rise and workers of our country are entitled to a fair share of this more effiicent production. Wage increases based on this fact have been granted to workers in private industry and civic workers should be no exception. City fathers want to keep costs down and should be encouraged to do it intelligently. We can review means of cutting city costs but we must not simply force the city employee to carry the burden on his own shoulder. Prosperity continues in B. C, an_U aldermen are entirely out of line in their talk of "blue ruin." We'd be in a fine economic mess if all business followed their lead. WANTED-FROM YOU . Wanted: news items. Readers and supporters of The Labor Statesman are reminded that the paper is the voice of the Vancouver Trades and Labor Council and its affiliated unions. Its function is to tell the public of the job labor Is doing for its members and for the community. Unions are therefore invited to advise the Statesman editors about any and all of their activities. Just drop us a line. The Statesman will do the rest *I suggest your husband join the Union, Madam, as the quickest way of getting him back on his feet!* "I presume you realize, Wilson, that I'll have to dock you for the time you're spending in here asking tor a raiser* HOUSING REPORT Little Mountain Project The Little Mountain subsidised housing project at Ontario and Third-third has been the target of criticism by many self-seeking groups. Here are the latest facts supplied by the Vancouver Housing Association— Little Mountain is now fully occupied by 224 families, including 20 pensioner families, and 431 children. The average rent is approximately $48 per month (excluding water, heat, and hot water). ' If operating costs work out as originally estimated, the subsidy per unit will be around $11.50 a month. On this basis, the city's share of the subsidy would amount to $3,864 a year. If, however, the project had been developed privately, the city would have had to bear - the major part of the cost of on-site services (sewers, roads, etc.), totalling some $160,000, on which interest and amortisation charges would be not less than $8,000 a year. Assuming therefore that the estimated operating costs are realized, the city should, on the basis of present rents, show a useful net gain on the project. So much for the alleged burden on the ratepayer. Criticism has been directed at the relatively high incomes of Little Mountain tenants (the average is about $260 a month) resulting partly from the high present earnings level in B.C. and partly from the exclusion of families on Social Assistance from the project . Nevertheless, all the families in the project either came, from substandard housing — much of it basement dwellings — or had no accommodation of their own. It should be remembered, too, that none of the higher income families are subsidised. As rents are related to income, they pay the full economic rent, and these higher income families help to reduce the annual cost of the -Project. The most striking lesson lo be learned from Little Mountain is this very fact that there are large numbers of relatively high income families still living in substandard accomodation. RESEARCH NOTES The Whopper (Trades Counoil Research Staff) "It is better y>e> wonder why you didn't talk, than why you did." —Disraeli. May we suggest that Mr. St. Laurent accept the above advice? Some four months ago the Premier spoke in Quebec and I quoted part of his speech in this column in the last issue. He stated that he for one did not believe that there was anyone in Canada who had been unemployed for .any long period of time. I took issue with that statement and this week I want to offer my thanks to the Government for informing all who can read that their chief was telling one of the biggest whoppers of all time. The Dominion Bureau of Statistics carried out a survey to find ont how long the unemployed had been looking for work. I reproduce their results below: .By E. O. MASON, Length of Time July to Seeking Work December 1054 Less than 1 month 1—3 months . ,. More than 3 months 28% In other words about 100,000 workers have been looking for work for more than three months. Does that convince the Premier? Or, and this is a pretty sobering thought, does .the Premier think that, three months is no time at all to be unemployed? Just enough time to sort of think about getting a job? You might think that Ottawa would be chary of issuing any more optimistic forecasts, and you would be wrong. Ottawa tells us that 1965 ■will be a better year than 1964. Ottawa also tells us that in January, 1956, the number of unemployed looking for jobs is thirty percent higher than in 1954. Do you remember what TAXI-TALK By .CHARLES GOWER The call for scripts for the new U.S. national network television show "Hey Taxi" has received action from our local talent—so we are informed. Quite a number of the boys have told us they have sent in scripts and others are intending to do so. The best of luck to you. * * * Attendance at our regular monthly, meetings is showing improvement but there is still considerable need for betterment Your negotiating committee will report at the next . meeting, so we expect a record number to be on hand. At this meeting we will hold an election for the vacancy on the executive board. Draupeau, Dougal and Batkin are the nominees for the position of trustee. Our local by-laws were submitted to the International president and he is suggesting two of three changes before', approval. This matter will also have to be attended to at the coming meeting. * ♦ • From all reports, our business is still in the doldrums, but after looking the situation over, it seems to be holding on a par with other years for the same period. After all, we find practically all business in this -Vic-nits' seems to have taken a drop this year. * • * During the past couple of weeks we have been experiencing considerable difficulty with our local police department. A number of tickets have been issued for petty offenses. From the explanations we've been getting it strikes us that our boys are trying to play ball and expedite traffic to the best of their ability. What seems to be common judgment and good practice does not jibe precisely with the law and instead of taking a broad view of the matter some officer^ lower the boom. We are doing all we can to remedy the situation. •' * * Please don't forget your next regular meeting will be held March 14. We have been asking for your attendance at the meetings with not too much success. We feel we should emphasize it is your business to be at. these meetings, to help carry the ball, instead of doing your beefing around the street corners and getting nowhere. President Roosevelt said about the Republicans who were in office when the great depression started? He said: "For 12 long years oar nation was afflicted with a hear-nothing, see-nothing, do- nothing Government. The nation looked to that Government, bat that Government looked away. Nine craay years at the ticker tape and three long years in the bread lines." I wonder if that will be our • verdict I hope not But if we escape it won't be the Govern* meat's doing. February 28,1955 THE LABOR STATESMAN Page Five THE HOUSING PROBLEM Blueprint For Action Members of Building Trades have made a major study of I housing, and everyone must view with respect -their estimate that about 500,000 new dwelling units are required in Canada, and many of them should be built immediately in ' Vancouver and other major B.C. cities. House-building, which completely stagnated during the depression and war years, has of course increased, but even with the much-talked of building boom we have failed by a considerable margin to meet the N.H.A. target of 135,000 new dwelling a year. The Building Trades brief has been presented to the city council with the backing of other labor groups. In clear black and white, it states the problem: There must be moderate priced .housing for potential home owners; there must be low rental subsidized housing for old age pensionsers; and there must be low rental housing for the great body of Canadians generally. _ The Building Trades point oat that a concerted .attack on the housing problem now will For those who view with dismay the vague debates on housing held from time to time at City Hall, here is a reminder that the city fathers have before them a blue-print for reasonable action drawn up by experts—the skilled tradesmen who constitute the special employment committee of the Vancouver and District Building Trades Council. help not only the thousand* of Canadian* who are living in cramped and inadequate quarters; it will also go a long way towards helping solve the problem of unemployment which baa risen to a postwar peal- In brief, the Building Trades propose that the city initiate a planned survey- of the Vancouver area which would clear the way for elimination of the existing slums; long term planning for future residential districts; and evaluation of current and future housing needs. The brief urges an immediate start on a housing program to provide lew rental housing for old age pensioners and for family occupancy, both of which would require subsidization. But both could be affected by utilizing the various provision of the National Housing Act The Building Trades reached this conclusion: "Good housing is not philan- tropy—it is a safe and sound investment in the future of Canada." BTC Opposes Staff Work On New Public Buildings LAUGH ... with us "You only married me hecause my uncle left me $50,000." "Don't be silly, dearest, I never cared in the slightest who left it to you." She: "Sorry, but I never go out with perfect strangers." He: "That's quite all right I'm far from perfect" «. . • ■» Bride: "When we're married, dear, I'm going to cook and darn all your socks." Groom: "That won't be necessary, dear. Just darn them." "How the devil should I know?" he barked into the mouthpiece of the phone. "Why don't yon ring the weather bureau?" "Who was it dor?" asked bis wife. "I dont know,1* replied the husband. "Some dope wanted to know if the coast was dear.** THE GREAT MERGER An Historic Step By TOM ALSBURY The rapid developments towards a merger of the AFL and CIO in the United States, foreshadows a similar drive for unity of Labor in Canada. This historic step has been hailed with approval by trade unionists in Canada. Their favorable reactions indicate that steps to effect a similar merger of the TLC and CCL are almost certain to be initiated in the not too distant future. That would be a historic step in Canada. It would end the 20- year split which has been the chief source of strife and bitterness, of division and weakness, in the house of labor in Canada. A strong, united Canadian labor movement would bring with it.immeasurable benefits. The entire strength and resources of almost a million organized workers, now divided between the TLC and CCL, would be united into one powerful group and thrown into the struggle against the threat of unemployment and depression, instead of against each other. A united Labor movement would be able to give much greater and more effective service, not only to its members, but to all our people and to Canada. Another immediate benefit would undoubtedly be an upsurge in union membership resulting from a united drive to "organize the unorganized." This would be one of the primary objectives of a merger in Canada. With four out of five workers still unorganized, the scope and value of such a drive, is obvious. Much of the time, money and effort now wasted in senseless competition for members, cutthroat raiding, and stupid jurisdictional disputes, would be eliminated. The entire time, effort, and resources .of united labor could be mobilized ih support of the legitimate objectives of labor —full employment high wage standards, good working conditions, better living standards, trade union and human rights, protection and extension of political freedom. *"> Yet another benefit of the merger into one united labor federation is the stronger position labor would have in. the political and legislative fields. Just as a united federation of 16 million in the U.S. is seen as a natural rallying point for the liberal forces there, certain to command greater respect from political parties, a similar development and trend would Unquestionably result from a united labor movement in Canada. Of special interest in the Canadian situation, are the possible political developments resulting from the merger of the TLC and CCL, the latter of which has endorsed the CCF as its political arm. In the United States both the AFL and the CIO have stood aloof from ties with any political party. Recent statements of leaders there indicate this policy will continue, although political activity to influence legislation will be stepped up, under the Gom- pers' formula of "rewarding labor's friends aad punishing its enemies." What the effect of a merger in Canada will be is not yet clear. It is the writer's opinion that in the initial period at least the policy of remaining independent of political parties will be adopted as being more likely to be less controversial, and that the CCL link with the CCF will be abandoned. How long that will continue will likely depend on a number of factors. It is a policy better adapted to the U.S. political system than in Canada, where voting is more on party than on individual lines. A severe depression and mass unemployment or other emergency, might at any fime lead to the. demand for direct political ties with an existing political party, or for the formation of a labor party. The need for labor unity is great We are at a critical stage of our. history. Labor in Canada today faces the combined threat of growing unemployment at home and the menance of ruth- leas dictatorship abroad. A strong united Canadian labor movement could make its voice heard more effectively in proposing sensible, practicable, democratic solutions for national problems. It could more effectively contribute to the efforts of the international labor movement to build a free world in which working people everywhere may enjoy peace, freedom, and security. Building Trades Council will continue complaints against public bodies doing their own construction work with maintenance crews. Secretary Ed Kennedy said Greater Vancouver Water Board has construction work underway and that the Provincial Government has started a - building which is not being done by general contractors. Protests against city doing construction with maintenance crews have been lodged previously. The issue has been put before the labor-management committee 1 of the construction trades and General* Contractors Association may give support to the- construction unions. -_..;i;.-.;_.,- __ii... =; PERCY RETURNS' Percy R. Bengough, president emeritus of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada has resumed his old place at council meetings as delegate of Machinists 692 . North West Supply Co., manufacturers of aluminum sash, has agreed to sign a contract with Shopman's Local 712 of Ironworkers. RICHMOND TRANSFER Phone HAstings *297 VTCB *_UI.U IBLA-TD. SB A WLABB," □BAVT XAUXIBO 42S Alexander Street Darlington, Haskins & Co. (1943) Limited TILES - MOSAICS - MARBLE - TERRAZZO Phone: FAirmont 7800-8985 S25 West Eighth Vancouver. B.C. | SIMMONS & McBRIDE LIMITED Directors of Funeral Service Phone BA 4151 1995 WEST BROADWAY "Canada's Finest Mortuary" STERLING LAUNDRY LTD. 100 PER CENT UNION COMPLETE LAUNDRY AND DRY CLEANING 1460 W. 7th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. CH 7191 I MUSIC AND DANCING EMBASSY BALLROOM Dancing Every Night Except Monday Ernie Buchanan's Orchestra . 1§24 Davie Street BROADWAY TYPING & MIMEOGRAPHING SERVICE Two Blooka Bast of Labor Temple IH West Broadway - Office, FA 1936; Res. EM 2579 (aad-eeeof-epfc) OomepoaAsaeo C-ronUra Beporta, .to. ANGELUS HOTEL Corner Dunsmuir and Howe Streets, Vancouver, B. C. Phones: MArine 2435-36-37 A. H. HARRISON, Manager ML Pleasant Undertaking Co. Ltd. KINGSWAY at ELEVENTH AVENUE Kindliness - Understanding '• Dependability Lady Attendant Phones: EMerald 2151 and 2162 I •;. Page Six THE LABOR STATESMAN February 28, 1955 Labels Growing EDMONTON—United Garment Workers are now putting their union label on garments manufactured by 12 Canadian firms, union official Mrs. Emily Ross reports. Majority of the firms are in Vancouver. Vancouver firms are: Fit Rite Manufacturers (sports wear); Gault Bros, (shirts, mechanics clothing and lumber jackets); Gordon Campbell (wool clothing, tailored garments); McKay, Smith, Blair & Co. (work clothing) ; Spider Looms (ties); Vancouver Garments (uniforms). Holiday Win ■SWMWaw-.T., i, ■»,«...!.- OTTAWA—In a supplementary award from Chief Justice Gordon Sloan, employees of CNR dining and sleeping cars and express messengers of both CN and CP will get five paid statutory holidays. These groups were left "up in the air" 'under the original Sloan award in last year's non-op rail dispute. Holidays are New Years, Good Friday, Dominion Day, Labor Day and Christmas Day. B.C. Short Courses OTTAWA—The second annual short couse educational program of the TLC to give economic and organizational training for union cers and other active members will be held across Canada starting this month. B.C. dates for the courses are Vancouver, March 19 and 20; Victoria, March 21, 22 and 28; Kelowna, March 25, 26 and 27; Prince. George, March 29, 80 and 31. Condemn 'Trials' NEW YORK — International Confederation of Free 'Trade Unions has condemned the conviction of 150 trade unionists in Rumania in recent secret trials. ICFTU general secretry J, H. Oldenbroek said, "the judicial -crime committed by the Com- ist regime in Rumania proves once again that the loudly-acclaimed workers' rights are noth- THE FIRST UNION DAIRY IN VANCOUVER ing but empty propaganda slogans." Among those condemned to 25 years' forced labor was the president of the pre-war Rumanian labor confederation, Ion Flueras, who died in jail two years ago. long Service Ends OTTAWA — Miss Christina Mahoney who has served the Trades and Labor Congress for 48 years, has retired. She served under six congress presidents— Alphonse Verville, Wm. Glock- ling, J. C. Watters, Tom Moore, P. M. Draper and Percy R. Bengough. ._ Bar Wants Control OLYMF-IA, Wash.—This state is the latest in which the Bar Association is seeking a "closed shop" for lawyers. A bill introduced would require all lawyers in the state to pay fees to the association, whether they belonged or not. V. Manitoba Federates WINNIPEG — A provincial Federation of Labor has been formed for 107 AFL-TLC unions in Manitoba. Teamsters In Htld. ST. JOHN'S, Nf Id.—Teamsters have launched an organizing drive in Newfoundland and already many truck - drivers and helpers on the waterfront have been signed up. Canadian direc- tore of Teamsters' Eastern Conference, Lucien Tremblay has visited both St. John's and Corner Brook. Good Signs Tor'55 TORONTO. — The Financial Post reports that four out of five business executives look for god business prosperity this year. 'Seldom has there been such uniformity among business executives on the outlook for the new year," the Post says. "Most expect that 1955 will be a better year than 1954, and many expect considerably better." Major Problem OTTATJTA.—Both major labor Congresses have issued a joint circular declaring unemployment has been classed as the "most serious domestic problem in the nation." Welfare Group Supports TLC Phone Dickens 1121 .... AND STILL THE FOREMOST ****** Look for the . . . UNION SERVICE BUTTON UNION LABEL AND SHOPCARD Patronize Them This Space Donated by Bill Couper 724 SEYMOUR STREET Federal-Provincial Conference Urged OTTAWA.—Fresh support for TLC proposals to solve Canada's growing unemployment problem developed this month as Canadian Welfare Council — the national organization pf social welfare agencies—urged a federal-pro-, vincial conference to examine the needs of persons not covered by unemployment insurance. The Council is urging all* Canadian governments to bring about the conference in order to "break the existing deadlock as to governmental responsibility and also to work out a program of assist- tance to this group" The council cites reports from many sections of the country including Vancouver as "evidence of the fact that there are still a great many unemployed workers in Canada whose essential needs are not being met." HELP TO MANY The Council points out that unemployment insurance, including the current amendments to the Act, is a great help to many. "Unemployment insurance, however, does not and cannot meet the.need* of all the unemployed. Many wage earners are in uninsured occupations. Many others remain unemployed for so long that they exhause the protection that even the revised Act provides*, still others, of tor new Canadians, have not had an opportunity to fulfill- the mini- mam requirements of the Act befeq-e finding themselves in need. "These are the people for whom for the most part no help from public funds is at present available." Social welfare agencies, many of them members of the Canadian Welfare Council, are deeply concerned with "the needs of these unprotected people, regardless of the numbers affected. The demoralizing effect of unemployment on family life is a social danger we cannot ignore, whether there be one per cent or ten per cent of the labor force out of work and without any source of income" Farm workers in Britain are seeking a 15 percent increase this year. Every time you buy a union label article you will make Christmas merrier for some other worker and his family. Credit Union Members Number Over 9 Million Brush Workers Win Big Wage Increase Brush Workers 564 have signed a contract with Western Crown Manufacturing Co. which gives employees wage increases ranging from 15 to 38 cents per hour. W. G. Gauld reports that the union has also obtained a union shop, five statutory holidays, two weeks vacation with pay. The credit union movement forged solidly ahead , during 1954, The Credit Union National Association reports 2175 new credit unions organized in the Western Hemisphere last year. The total now stands at 19,880. Membership is estimated at 9.200,000 with paid-in shares totalling $2,275,000,000, reserves of $145,000,000 and outstanding loans of $1,792,000,000. Wylie Elected B.A. For Bread Winners A. Wylie has been elected secretary and business agent of the Bakery Salesmen Local 189-following retirement of Ernie Holmes. Other officers are president R., Millar; vice-president .N. Bar-j wise; recording secretary C. Wooding, and trustees J. White, A. Pollock and I. Seldon. RETT'S SHELL SERVICE Broadway and Arbutus GAS - OIL - TIRES • BATTERIES ACCESSORIES LUBRICATION & REPAIRS UNION SHOP CEdar 4712 -|-jppo * NEW — USED — RECAPPINO lltU-O. ... . . • guy theni on easy Budget Plan! BOURNE 8C WEIR LTD. ft West 2nd Phone: FAlrmont .821 BUFTON'S FLOWER SHOP - ( 1520 Commerciol Drive Flowers for All Occasions FLOWERS iHYWHESB nf HA 0187 • HA 3432 WORLD" Vancouver. I.C. £/&r?Aa&eVl MEMORIAL CHAPEL 1235 East Hastings St. Owned and Operated by a Trade Unionist Funerals for Trade Unionists at price* Trade Unionists can afford to p«> MA 68-0 O-SOBOB A. MARTI* *•* • • HEADQUARTERS for IMPORTED TOBACCOS :: CIGARETTES CIGARS, PIPES and SMOKERS' SUNDRIES Come and See Our Stock — Largest m Canada E. A. MORRIS LIMITED -TOUR STOKES ■ «-.«• ST. BOS GRA NVH.I.E ST. HIS GOVERNMENT ST., VICTORIA another pay-day, another chance to save Today is a good thru to start your Savings Account ■l * THE ROYAL BANK Of CANADA February 28,1955 THE LABOR STATESMAN Page Seven Meat Cutters Name Johnston To 13 th Tera^ Albert Thomas has been .elected president of local 212, Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butchers Workmen, and George Johnston was . re-elected to his thirteenth term as secretary- manager. Norman Musgrave begins his sixth term as business representative and Michael Stephens was re-elected to his fourth term as recording secretary. New vice-president is Allan McLean; guard is Howard Will- son; guide, Harry Silverwood; and trustees John Edmondson ahd Fred Nobbs. New Westminster section officers are: chairman, David Constable ; vice - president Owen Jones; recording secretary, Phyllis. Thompson. Metal Trades Elect Officers James Best of Shipwrights this month was elected president of Vancouver Metal Trades Council, and Ed Kennedy of Painters was renamed by acclamation to the secretary's frost. Also nominated for president were 1954 president Fen ton, who was absent from the meeting and L. Tribe of Molders, who declined. Tribe was later elected as vice-president. Trustees for this year are Val Pearson of Plumbers, J. Meade of Sheet Metal Workers, and J. Bayer of Shipwrights. Treatment Plan Authorized For Drug Addicts Trades and Labor Council has approved the plan set up by a special committee of the Community Chest for treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts. Delegates voted to support the plan after hearing an explanation from Hospital Employees' Bill Black, who represented the council on the Red Feather committee. The Biggest Hotel Now Con Rove 'Union Label IVifHvery Shove' _ Hotel Vanco_TvTP:i_*a-*ber shop has finally"jointed tJie overwhelming majority in Vancouver, and is now a union shop and worthy of the support of organized labor. Barbers' delegate C. E. Herrett reported to council that the shop in Hotel Vancouver was the,last major unorganized shop in town. * Throughout the province barbers are organized about 90 percent, with the exception of the Okanagan, where an organization drive will begin soon. BTC Asks Hike In Minimum Rate Vancouver Building Trades Council has urged amendment of provincial minimum wage order affecting tradesmen in the construction industry to set rates at 90 percent of the prevailing union scale. The BTC brief presented to a hearing of the Board of Industrial Relations this month said "minimum wages of construction workers should be just below what has been established by collective bargaining" *to give protection both to the worker and the contractor. An All-Union Vancouver-Owned Newspaper A pleasant relationship exist- between The Vancouver San and its staff ef several hundred fully unionised men and women, and The Sun gives sympathetic, complete and reliable coverage to all news of organized labor. Phone TA 7141 for Home Delivery "It would leave sufficient incentive for the unorganized worker to join his respective union and at the same time retain a measure of uniformity in the industry," the brief said. BTC said that at present unreliable contractors "undertake work at prices that tend to undermine the better class of employers, thereby jeopardizing the construction industry both for the organized worker as well as for the employer who has entered a collective agreement." Other points made by the BTC Were: • Deletion of craft welder as a designated trade but inclusion of several trades not now in the wage order—refrigeration workers, elevator constructors, ter- razo mechanics, cement masons, lathers, operating engineers, tile- setters and sheet metal workers. • Setting of a 40-hour work week in place of the present 44 hours—'we: believe the 40-hour week is quite - definitely established in B.C." , • Provision that when a union is representing employees concerned, that the union be consulted before an overtime permit is granted. The BTC protested "the way overtime permits are issued as at no time are unions consulted with regard to unemployment or jobs investigated as to the need for overtime permits," A brief by the Heavy Construction Association of B.C. asked: call out time should not have to be paid where weather conditions force shutdown, of a iob; special consideration of hours of work' for road and highway work "to enable work at straight time between May and October for full advantage of the construction season;" arrangement . tow^ffi-f_,„ week-end work where there are project camps when majority of workers and the employer agree to an arrangement; recognition of over time provision in an agreement1 between unions and an employer, *l thought you said your Union didn't believe in resorting to physical violence. Pop!'' Warehouse Union loins Trades Council Trades and Labor Council has "-proved an application for affiliation filed by General Warehousemen's Union, local 842. The Teamsters' local has been asked to name delegates to the next meeting. Wage Increases Mark New Contracts Wage increases and elimina tion of Saturday work are basis of settlement on contracts between Meat Cutters Local 212 and Becker & Co., and Lions Gate Produce Co. /Settlement under conciliation officer includes: wage increase of eight cents for female helpi four cents retroactive to .Nov. 23, 1954, and four cents effective May 2, 1055; increase of $10 week on basis of 44-hour week for male employees; one additional statutory holiday. * •'" * Moulders and Foundry Workers Local 281 have settled with .even Vancouver firms on basis of two-year agreements with wage increase of 2% cents this vear. and an additional 2% cents on Jan. 1, 1956. Moulding machine operators also will gain a proeressive increase in scale, depending on ex- T*eri<>nce, ransrine* from $1.76 to $1.85 in two years. * * * Electrical Workers Local 21J» new one-year contract for «»m- "loyees of Canadian Marconi brines a thr*ee percent Wreas- retroactive to Nov. IB. 1954. and an increase of one-cent a mile on car mileage rates Tradesmen Will Study The joint labor-management committee of the building trades will consult with provincial Department of Public Works on policy of using prisoners for construction work at Oakalla prison farm. Ed Kennedy, secretary of Vancouver Building Trades Council, said prisoners had worked on basement construction for the gymnasium building and said it was undesirable to have union members work in close proximity with prisoners. The gym contract is held by Hanssen Construction. New Pact Signed By Trail Electros TRAIL — A new one-year j*re_an*nt-,Jnc^^ creases, a 40-hour week and an hourly rating for all employees has been settled by Electrical Workers Local 999 and West Kootenay Power and Light Co. Eight statutory holidays, if worked, will be paid for at rate of 2% times regular rate under the new pact, and the company will pay up to $2.15 a month as half of a participating sickness policy. Four Carpenter locals here have been certified to bargain for employees of rental builder C. J. Balfour Jr., A. R. Grim wood Ltd., J. S. Johnson Ltd., and A. L. Ramage Building Co. Sun Life Pays $26 Million In Policyholder Dividends Cost of insurance reduced. Nearly $700 million of new business sold last year, largest amount of any Canadian company. t For the sixth consecutive rear, the San Life Assurance Company of Canada Is adopting new dividend scales which will substantially reduce the cost of Insurance to the holders of its participating policies, according to an announcement by George W. Bourke, President, in his Annual Review of the Company's business for 1954. With this latest increase of policyholder dividends, the Company will pay out In the year ahead a total of approximately $28 million—an increase of more than $2 million over the previous year. New life insurance sold last year amounted to nearly $700 million, an Increase of $120 million over 195S and again the largest figure reported by any Canadian life company. Included In this new business figure is $239 miUlon of group Insurance, representing an Increase of $68 million over the previous year. Benefits paid by Sun Life during the year amounted to $134. million, and total benefits paid by the Company since Its organization in 1865 now stand at $2,866 million. * 86 BrLijoH nr fobcb Other highlights of the Report include a total of life insurance In force amounting to more than $6,000,000,000. During 1948 the Company passed the $4 billion mark and, during 1962, topped $5 billion. The Company has now passed another milestone and the two-year period taken to accumulate the last billion dollars contrasts sharply with the 64 years required for the first billion. Group insurance Included in the 1954 figure amounts to $1,996 million, an Increase during the year of 13.9%. The proportion of Insurance and annuities In' force in the various countries where the Company operates is now as follows: Canada, 47%; United States, 36%; Great Britain and other Commonwealth, countries, 14%; elsewhere throughout the world, 3%. MOBTGAOE LOANS UP Assets. of the Company now stand at $1,876 million, an increase of' $46 million over 1958. Mortgage loans increased by more than any other type of invest-. ment, in keeping with Sun Life's policy pf striving to further the economic and social interests of the community consistent with sound Investment principles. During the year, new mortgage loans' made by the Company totally $83,000,000. Mortgage investments now total $323 mlUion, mostly in Individual homes. In commenting on the general economic situation, Mr. Bourke remarked that a year ago there was uncertainty in some quarters regarding the outlook for 1954. Despite the keen competition that existed among ..the various companies, however, 1954 was a year of expansion for life insurance and particularly for Sun Life. Mr. Bourke declared that the main reason the life insurance Industry continued to forge ahead, was because a life Insurance policy functions like a good investment. It increases in value, It provides a return on the investment and it has a market value which can be used to provide cash for emergencies and a retirement fund for old age. Moreover, It does what no other investment can do —it creates an Immediate estate for the protection of home and family. - * , Mr. Bourke stressed the recent Improvements In medical science with the ensuing rapid ahd continuous decline in death rates. He pointed out that accidents now account for a substantial proportion of death from all causes, especially in the younger age groups, and that Sun Life experience shows that approximately one-half of all death claims under age thirty are the results of accidents, while accidents are' now the third most frequent cause of death at all ages,, following heart disease and cancer. In particular, he mentioned automobile accidents which account for about one-half of all accidental deaths. The hazard from this source will become greater unless accompanied by a steady Improvement In the safety habits of the motoring public. Death claim records are full of tragic accidents which elementary safety precautions could have avoided. OUTLOOK FOB UBS In his concluding remarks, Mr. Bourke said that Canada's national resources should continue to support thriving industries which may well set new standards of prosperity in 1955. There should be no abatement of the national confidence, for a steady progress beneficial to everyone is to be expected. "Canada's future depends not only on Its economic heritage. but on the use to which that heritage is put," he* concluded. "The tasks ahead may be different. We may have to adjust to new patterns and new demands, but I am confident we will meet the* challenge." A copy of Sun Life's complete 1954 Annual Report to Policyholders, Including the President's review of the year, is being sent to each policyholder, or may be obtained from • A. L. Wright. C.L.U., Provincial Manager; F. J. Fulton, C.L.U., Assistant Manager; A. Vezina, District Group Manager, Royal Bank Building, Vancouver. Page Eifht THE LABOR STATESMAN February 28, 1955 Historic Move 15 Million Workers Combine In One Big Organization It's now almost a certainty that the 15 million workers who belong to AFL and CIO will be united in one big labor organization by the end of the year.. ,,B ) Top leaders of the two groups issued a joint statement this month which marks the beginning of the end for the division which has hindered effectiveness of the labor movement in the U.S. and Canada for the past 20 years. A similar move gets under way in Canada next month. At Miami, where the joint where "unity committee" held its final meetings, it was decided that AFL president George Meany will be president of the new . organization and William Schnit- zler will be secretary-treasurer. The merger agreement will go before national conventions of the two groups, and will then be formally ratified at a special convention. KEEP IDENTITY CIO president Walter Reuther .agreed to step down from the acting executive, and unions within his organization will form a separate department, to be known as the Council of Industrial Organizations. Thus, unions will keep their identity, and when one jurisdiction is covered by duplicate unions, there is provision for "voluntary amalgamation." Meany and Reuther declared in their historic joint statement that the new federation will immediately begin a drive' to bring into the organization "the great NATURAL VEGETABLE and FRUIT JUICE BAR "Drink Your Way to Health" GRAND UNION MARKET 95 W. Hastings • TAtlow 2417 Earl and Josephine Hallock Proprietors MArine 8181 TOWING • 24-HR. SERVICE • RADIO CONTROLLED •FULLY INSURED • BONDED DRIVERS BUSTER'S Auto Towing Service ltd. 376 E. HASTINGS ST. Exclusive AAA Contract Vaneouver mass of unorganized workers and build a greater industrial democracy." BUILD DEMOCRACY The move was hailed favorably across the U.S. and in Canada, although the National Association of Manufacturers said the merger would create a "labor monopoly." Only labor criticism to date has come from the convention of CIO Transport Workers, which decided to disapprove the plan in its present form. In Canada, leaders of TLC aad CCL forecast that 1956 would probably tee the first .united convention. Early in March, a "unity" committee of four top men from both congresses will meet in Ottawa to explore the setting up of an agreement along the lines of that reached in Miami, with the addition of certain clauses necessitated by strictly Canadian situations. DRAFT AGREEMENT The eight-man joint committee will prepare a draft agreement culminating a year of earlier meetings. The draft agreement will go first to full executive meetings of the two big groups, and then to regular conventions later in the year. . So far, there has been no formal talk as to who would assume leadership of the combined group, or what it's name would be. ORGANIZING CAMPAIGN But this month TLC president Claude Jodoin said the amalgamation would be a "wonderful thing" for labor here and In the U.S. "Labor," he said, "would be able to realize its platform much quicker with a united labor movement." Observers in Ottawa predict that a united organization would be able to embark on a great organizing campaign which would keep both paid staffs busy for years to come. Ua-M Label THE BIG FAMILY STORE 1409 KINGSWAY Try Us far V_U.—E-taMI-ked I- ItlO W. J. Heads Boot Factory Ltd. 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 4, B.C TLC Short Course Slated For March 19 at UBC *.Mm is '£!fii_afl' ieij-inder**thaiH^^01^:c*OTi*-e^n basic labor education will be held at UBC Saturday and Sunday, March 19 and 20. Registration fee is $3 and students may register at any time before the opening at Trades and Labor Council offices,. PGE Seek Definite Wage Offer B.C. Government Employees are tempering their enthusiasm over the announced 40-hour week with a desire to be' assured that they will have enough money to enjoy breakfast in bed on Saturday mornings. An editorial in the Provincial Government Employees' publication this month puts it this way: "It is much too early to state definitely the true value of the shorter work week—until the government's position on wages is known." The editorial states that the reduction in working hours with same take home pay is equivalent to a 10 percent increase, which has the effect of bringing certain classifications in line with rates paid in industry. "However, there are other classifications which should receive wage increases plus the 40- hour work week." Increase Won At Hospital/ In Valley Employees of Valleyhaven Nursing Home, Chilliwack, have been awarded a five percent increase in wages under an unanimous award of a conciliation board. Agreement on some other issues had been reached prior to the sitting of the board by Hospital Employees Union Local 180, including a $15 monthly increase for women working in male wards and vacation clause providing two weeks after one year of service, three weeks after five years and four weeks after 10 years. The board did not recommend a cut in work week from 44 to 40 hours. Meanwhile, union business manager Bill Black has swung into the interior to continue talks with Penticton, Kamloops and Kelowna hospital boards. Settlement has been reached with Vernon hospital on basis of a $10.44 monthly across-the board increase. Report Indicates Most Jobs Scarce In Metal Trades Mid-month employment report of the Vancouver Metal Trades Council shows: Plumbers—work still slack; Sheet Metal—work fair, few unemployed; Painters—slack, considerable number out of work; Molders—work fair; Shipwrights —work fair, all members working; Operating Engineers—slow, many men available foe start of heavy construction. IN BRIEF Dave Wade of Retail Clerks 1518 has been appointed to represent Trades and Labor Council on the Information Service Advisory Committee of the Community Chest* and Council. VICTORIA —Hotel and Restaurant Employees Local 513 have won time and one-half overtime pay for two additional statutory holidays in agreement with Hotel Douglas restaurant • * » Building Trades agreement has been signed this month with the Cloverdale Construction Co., Cloverdale, and all future work of this firm will be "union." The firm has the contract for construction of the Haney High School. / For GOODNESS Sake ... P_\D'S / ORIGINAL Oatmeal Cookies The Most Delicious Health Biscuit Ever Made ' * When sending parcels overseas don't forget to include some Dad's Cookies. They will be greatly appreciated over there! DAD'S COOKIE CO. (B.C) LIMITED 468 Kingsway Vancouver, B.C Safety Conference For Pulp Industry More than 100 delegates will i$&h¥^8e ~fif-h ~aaiiuaE_-^ofc_ Management Safety Conference of the B.C. Pulp and paper industry in Hotel Vancouver on March 30-31. Each mill and each local union in B.C. will send one official delegate but meetings are open to others in. the industry interested in safety education. Stan Green of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers said the industry pioneered Labor-Management Safety confeernce in B.C. The first B.C. meeting was in 1950 but the idea started with pulp and paper unions and companies in the Pacific Northwest in 1946.; Since then, the accident frequency rate has been reduced by nearly 75 percent Are You Getting MARRIED? Pictures taken by an exper ienced photographer will be treasured in all the years to come! CMi HUX LOVELY .. Dickens 3531 (24-Hour Service) HUX LOVELY, official photographer for the Lobor Statesman, onrnunces opening of well appointed studios at 3244 Cambie. PORTRAITS CHILDREN'S PHOTOS WEDDINGS BANQUETS "Photography For Every Need" Harron JjJrosL limitrb FUNERAL DIRECTORS -OS WAY aad BOYAZ. OAK, BUBBABY Dlltir 3301 123 WBST SIXTH STBBBT, HOSTS VAHOOUVBB TOrk 1181 SB BAST TBBTB ATBHUB _•___•: BM.r-ld 88T7 LiOUtinaiive.. .. \junzxaL 'Sz'hjLce S. BO WELL 8C SONS Phone 2656 66 Sixth Street, New. Westminster, B. C. Cloverdale. B.C. . . . Phone Cloverdale 193. MORE THAN EVER Vancouver's Best Newspaper Buy! - The Herald mU C PER WEEK DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME —
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.
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