Le monde ouvrier = The labor world, 1 septembre 1948, samedi 25 septembre 1948

mt ÇaJttif (Ûiîuricr ïSgrnS Autorisé comme envoi postal de la deuxième classe.Ministère des Postes, Ottawa' 33e Année — No 18 SAMEDI, 25 SEPTEMBRE 1948 — MONTREAL — SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1948 33rd Year < Qu O ?“ — CO ZT Ul Z Ul -J O D O C?LC -J CO r or -J — uj < D I ul — 10 nz -I H-SUJZ __________O -tree i: — No.18 Pourquoi il faut des unions ouvrières Avant les unions — Des faits accomplis par elles — Conclusion Quand les ouvriers reçoivent leur salaire, ou lorsqu’apres leur journée terminée, ils retournent à leur foyer rejoindre leur famille, combien d’entre eux, pensent aux bienfaits air-portés par les unions ouvrières?Bien peu peut-être.Alors, voyons ensemble pourquoi il faut des unions.Eh! bien, voici: D’abord, le libéralisme économique, en apportant au monde la machinerie, qui permet de faire plus de profits, concentrait par le fait même les richesses, dans les mains de quelques maîtres.Ceux-ci, pour qui la puissance ne devait être qu’un moyen de faire encore plus de profits, vinrent à considérer les ouvriers comme une machine quelconque qui devait apporter le plus de production, au plus bas coût « Les profits élevés menacent l'emploi A/ ., .La Federation Américaine du Travail, déclare que les profits trop élevés sont une menace à l’embauchage complet.La Fédération rapporte que plusieurs compagnies ont élevé leurs prix trop en-dessus du coût de production, voyant là un excellent moyen d’acquérir du capital pour tic la nouvelle machinerie et l’expansion de l’industrie.Ce procédé dépouille le consommateur au lieu de procurer du nouveau capital des actionnaires.Voici le danger, explique la F.A .T.L’augmentation des prix qui donnent les profits élevés, diminue aussi le pouvoir d’achat du consommateur, ce qui ralentit la production et l’cm-ploiement, compromettant aussi les emplois futurs, et du même coup les profits futurs.Dès maintenant, la production augmente, cependant que le pouvoir d’achat décline, comme le prouve ces statistiques qui disent que de 1946 à la première moitié de 1948, la production totale de toutes les fermes et de-toutes les industries avait monté de 10%, pendant que le pouvoir d’achat des consommateurs, (calculé d’après l’augmenta’ tion des prix,) tombait de 4%.L’industrie n’est pas encore affectée par cette baisse du pouvoir d’achat, à cause du grand programme d’expansion de l’entreprise privée, et par la très grande demande européenne pour sa reconstruction et son expansion militaire.Mais aucun de ces programmes ne peut supporter bien longtemps la production et l’emploiement massifs, et il y a dès maintenant des signes d’une dangereuse dépression causée par un arrêt de la demande.possible, et que l’on jette dehors salts pitié sitôt que ses capacités semblent diminuer.Ces maîtres ne songeaient guère à soulager l'humanité.C est alors que l’on vit, en ce temps-là, certains pays, comme l’Angleterre par exemple, faire des lois défendant, sous peine de mort, le recours à la grève et même à toute organisation ouvrière.Les ouvriers avaient la liberté de choisir entre 1 acceptation des conditions inhumaines de travail qui leur étaient imposées ou crever de faim.Et ceci ne se passait pas il y a deux ou trois mille ans, mais en plein dix-neuvième siècle.Alors comment se fait-il que dans l'espace d’à peine cent ans il y ait eu tant cle progrès réalisés au profit de la classe ouvrière?Ceci est dû surtout au fait que des ouvriers décidés et convaincus, et surtout épris du bien-être de leurs frères se sont dit : “Il faut que ça change, coûte que coûte”.Alors, risquant tout, ils fondèrent des associations connues sous les noms de "trade-unions ' ou unions ouvrières.Après avoir remporté tantôt des succès, tantôt des échecs, ces unions virent leur influence augmenter, non seulement chez les ouvriers mais en d’autres milieux comme en politique pui exemple.Dans le même pays, c est sous leur influence que le gouvernement passa une loi défendant le travail dans les mines de charbon pour les enfants en dessous de dix (10) ans.Et quantité d autres lois suivirent.j .Aujouidhtii, a travers le monde, on voit de ces unions bienfaisantes oû les ouvriers devenant de plus en plus cons-eicnts de leur dignité, de leurs droits et de leur force, continuent les luttes commencées par leur prédécesseurs et obtiennent des victoires île plus en plus brillantes et avantageu-j ses, non seulement en ce qui concernent la revendication du j juste salaire et de l'hygiène au travail, mais aussi, et surtout des revendications comme la sécurité syndicale, la séniorité d'emploicment, etc.Lorsque l’on s’arrête quelques instants pour réflichir sur les bienfaits apportés à la classe ouvrière par les unions, n’est-on pas porté à défendre son union avec plus de cran?n’est-on pas aussi plus porté a lutter avec elle pour notre bien?n’est-on pas plus porté à la rendre plus forte en acceptant des responsabilités, en payant régulièrement ses cotisations, et surtout en faisant son possible pour faire entrer de nouveaux membres?.Donc, arrêtons de chialcr” sur les quelques erreurs que nos unions ont pu faire en passant—qui ne fait pas d’erreurs en ce monde—et faisons de notre mieux, aidons-les pour qu’elles accomplissent pleinement leur devoir, c’est-à-dire défendre et protéger la classe ouvrièr.e afin de lui procurer le plus de bonheur possible.Georges EMOND.Le gouvernement empêche-t-il les jeunes de 18 à 25 ans de se procurer du travail?C’est ce qui préoccupe le Conseil des Métiers et du Travail _ Jeudi soir le 7 octobre, se tenait à la grande salle du Temple des Charpentiers, rue St-Laurenl, une assemblée régulière du Conseil des Métiers et du Travail.L'assistance était satisfaisante, si Ton tient conque que plusieurs des délégués étaient partis au congrès de Victoria, C.A.Le confrère Côté présidait la séance.Dès le début des nouvelles affaires, le conlrèrc Chamber-land, secondé par le confrère Roger l'rovost, proposa une motion a 1 effet d autoriser le secrétaire à écrire au ministre du I ravail, M.Mitchell, pour savoir s'il était vrai que le gou-\ ei nemeut federal avait donne des instructions pour détendre aux compagnies d'employer des jeunes de 18 à 25 ans, et (pie la Commission d assurance-chômage conseillait à ces mêmes jeunes gens de s'enrôler volontairement dans les forces armées du Canada.Puis, les confrères l’rovost et Bennett proposèrent qu’une enquête soit faite à ce sujet par le Conseil des métiers, notamment auprès des compagnies Canadien Pacifique et Dominion Oilclotch èc Linoleum, oû se seraient produits de tels faits.Ces deux motions furent adoptées unanimement.Il tut ensuite proposé par les confrères Dubord et Provost que le Conseil donne ordre à ses représentants au Conseil municipal de s enquérir auprès des autorités compétentes des raisons pour lesquelles Ton fermait les parcs publics à quatre heures.Adopté.Le confrère Boulanger, organisateur international de 1 union des Employés de Buanderie, se leva ensuite pour remercier les membres du Conseil pour le magnifique support qu ils avaient donné à son union lors de la bataille de la buanderie Troy, et communiqua que maintenant, les 350 employés de cette buanderie travaillaient avec contrat d’union.' Pour terminer, le confrere Roger Provost, appuyé par le confrere Baron, proposa que le Conseil s’oppose énergiquement auprès des gouvernements fédéral et provincial à ce (pie le prix du lait ne subisse une nouvelle augmentation , ’ G.L.1 Nos futurs professionnels prennent de bonnes résolutions Les ouvriers de buanderies entendent faire respecter leurs décisions Le personnel de “Bumett” l’a prouvé d’une façon éclatante jeudi dernier, le 30 septembre, à la salle Richmond.L Union Internationale des employés de Buanderie, dirigée par les confrères Boulanger et Tardif demandait la certification le 3 août dernier.Les patrons, cependant, donnèrent les listes des compagnies “Rand” et “Bumett”, alors que seulement ces derniers étaient concernés.Comme le nombre de membres était naturellement insuffisant, la certification était refusée.Mais l’Union se reprenait une seconde fois, pour se voir à nouveau refuser le droit de représenter le personnel.Cette fois, les propriétaires de la buanderie avaient donné les noms (les gens du bureau ainsi que ceux de personnes qui, comme par hasard, se trouvaient nouvellement jointes au personnel.Les unionistes décident d’agir.Comme les meilleures farces sont toujours les plus courtes, nos amis décidèrent de mettre fin à celle-ci, avant (pi'elle finisse mal.C'est pour quoi ils décidèrent de quitter le travail jeudi midi et de se réunir pour discuter des mesures à prendre pour clarifier la situation.Ils se rendirent donc tous à la salle Richmond, où les confrères A.Hants, de l’Union des employés d’édifices publics, Victor Trudeau, de la F.A.T., ainsi (pie quelques autres étaient venus encourager leurs amis de “lîurnett” à tenir leur position et à mmmi ;.- ?¦;< V j ¦V Plus d’une leurs chefs l'assistance.centaine d’employés de Bumett s’étaient massés dans la salle Richmond, pour écouter unionistes commenter la, situation.A remarquer le grand nombre de femmes dans ne pas s’en laisser imposer.Le confrère Boulanger fit rapport détaillé de la situation aux membres, et leur dit que la situation ne prendrait pas de temps à se régler si tous savaient se tenir les coudes.Le confrère Joe Clark.Mais le clou de l’assemblée fut sans contredit le magnifique discours prononcé par le confrère Joe C lark, président du comité des employés de Burnett.Dans un langage émaillé et réaliste, le confrère Clark lit, devant ses compagnons, une révision complète des conditions de travail à l’intérieur du plan.Il décrivit l’état vraiment in-sanitairc de l’immeuble où, par exemple, on avait du mal à se tenir debout à certains endroits, tellement le plafond était bas.Jamais de nettoyage si ce n’est dans le garage.Les seuls moyens de se débarrasser des saloperies étant, dit-il les rats et les chats, qui foisonnent dans l’édifice.Finalement, il fut décidé à l'unanimité que l’assemblée se poursuivrait jusqu’à ce que les patrons consentent à négocier, et qu une ligne de piquetage serait établie, si le besoin s’en faisait sentir.Le patron capitule.Quatre heures et demie étaient a peine sonnées, que Bernard Boulanger, le brillant organisateur des employes, venait annoncer à ces derniers, délirants de joie, que le patronat capitulait, et qu'ils consentait à négocier le nouveau contrat de travail avec l’Union Internationale des employés de buanderie, et celà, dès le lendemain à 11 heures.Le travail reprenait donc jeudi matin, et les unionistes, satisfaits, attendaient patiemment le résultat des négociations.Mais ils ont bien averti le patron qu’ils voulaient que celà se passe sérieusement, cette fois-ci.G.L.Réflexions pour.faire suite à la parade de nos carabins, le 7 octobre dernier.— Variations sur un thème.inconnu.Ceux qui ont eu le bonheur d’assister à la grande manifestation de solidarité étudiante dénuée par nos carabins de la montagne jeudi dernier, n ont pas été sans remarquer la grande camaraderie qui régnait chez ces jeunes, ni le magni-üque esprit d intuitive qu'ils ont démontré en cette circonstance.Au tout début de cette nouvelle année universitaire, nos lecteurs seraient peut-être contents de savoir qu’elles bonnes intentions animent les coeurs de ces étudiants d’aujour-d but, nos professionnels de demain.Nous allons tenter de vous Je faire savoir, en prenant chaque faculté l’une après l’autre, pour ne rien mélanger.LES H.E.C.- - in.IIUUIIUIII plus (tut ues hommes tl at (titres intègres, plus soucieux de rendre service a leurs clients que de s’enrichir rapidement.Des marchands qui vendront les meilleures marchandises à mcilleut compte, se gardant bien de “bourrer” leurs clients, avouant h qualité réelle de leur marchandise, se contentant de profits raisonnables, et, surtout, recommandant la camelote de leur: concurrents, sd cette dernière est manifestement supérieure, (fl cela avec le plus beau des sourires et la courtoisie due à l'honorable acheteur.Des patrons imbus des principes élémentaires de chante chrétienne, se préoccupant du bien-être social de leuts ouvriers, au point d’en perdre le sommeil si ces derniers ne s organisent en syndicat pour négocier avec eux des contrats raisonnables de travail ; des bourgeois qui apprécieront leurs employes au point de les considérer comme des collaborateurs dignes, participant au succès de l’entreprise et méritant des bonis, des vacances, etc., etc.ce Noit Dorénavant, ces messieurs ne feront plus construire de horribles boites a savon”, où Ton a peine à se retourner.Not verrons s clever des logements solides, propres, largemei acres avec des portes et des châssis que Ton pourra fernn sans 1 aide du marteau et de la barre à clous, et qui, ô me veille, ne laisseront plus passer, clos, un courant d’air capal.de renverser un éléphant.Et tout cela, à des sommes abo (labiés pour les bourses ouvrières.Les dentistes de demain contrediront le proverbe cm-’ i que certaines gens soient “menteurs comme un arrachent «lents Désormais, les extractions sc feront sans doul lotis les cris ne seront plus produits par la terreur du , fesstonncl, mais par la surprise qui sera provoquée à la sentation.de 1:1 modique, facture.Dame, il faut bien payer progrès de la science.1 : PHARMACIE A |,aye''ir.Es sandwiches, chiens chauds et liqueurs c ces seront de qualité supérieure.Cela sera dû à la concurrc (suite à la page 4) I Page 2 SAMEDI, 25 SEPTEMBRE 1948 — MONTREAL — SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1948 THE LABOR WORLD LE MONDE OUVRIER — THE LABOR WORLD Est publié toutes les semaines par la Fédération provinciale du Travail du Québec, dans le but de promouvoir do la législation sociale tendant à protéger et à améliorer lo sort de la classo ouvrière do cette province.Exécutif : J.-Elphègo Beaudoin président ; J.-B.Arsenault, Ph.Cutler, René Michaud, vice-présidents; Marcel-E.Francq, secrétairo-trésorier et administrateur ; Henri Richard, rédactour associé.Adressez toutes les communications à 11, rue Saint-Paul Ouest Imprimé par Mercantile Printing, Limited, 11 ouest, rue Saint-Paul, Montréal 1 Téléphone : LAncaster 7808 1 Is published by the Quebec Provincial Federation of Labor weekly, for the purpose of promoting legislation towards the protection and advancement of the working class of the Province of Quebec.Executive : J.Elphogo Beaudoin, president ; J.B.Arsenault, Ph.Cutler, René Michaud, vico-presidonts ; Marcel E.Francq.secretary-treasurer and manager ; Henri Richard, associate editor.Printed by Mercantile Printing, Limited, 11 St.Paul Streot West, Montreal 1, P.Q.Les coopérateurs en congrès à Québec les 8 et 9 octobre Nous apprenons ques les coopératives du secteur Français tiendront leur congrès annuel dans les salles île 1 hopitalière, université Laval, à Québec.Charpie année, les coopérateurs de la province de Québec >e réunissent, tantôt à Montréal, tantôt à Québec, pour faire une revue des principaux événements de l'année, et pour étudier ensemble les méthodes nouvelles destinées à améliorer le fonctionnement des coopératives.Ces réunions ont lieu sous l’égide du Conseil Supérieur de la Coopération, qui remplit office de centralisateur des énergies en même temps que dispensateur des conseils et des encouragements.Comme les coopératives comptent dans leurs rangs un bon nombre de nos confrères unionistes qui, de concert avec-leurs amis des campagnes, travaillent à améliorer leurs sort, tout en ne nuisant à personne, nous offrons nos voeux pour que ce congrès soit fertile en événements favorables à la cause de l’ouvrier, et que cette doctrine coopératistc se répande enfin dans nos villes où plus que jamais se fait sentir le besoin d’union pour résister à la hausse constante des prix, qui n’est qu’une conséquence de l'exploitation immodérée de l’homme par l’homme.La Loi sur les relations industrielles et sur les enquêtes visant les différends du travail 9e congrès des ouvriers du tabac Vingt-cinq délégués représentant les locaux (le Montréal, Québec et Granby (le l’union internationale des ouvriers du tabac ont quitté dernièrement la gare Windsor, pour se rendre à Philadelphie où ils prendront part au 9e congrès annuel de l’union ^intemationalf.e covered by a Convention and a Recommendation 3.Labor clauses in public contracts.This will he covered by a Convention and a supplementary Recommendation.4.Vocational guidance.This will be covered in a Recommendation.'Phe session also agreed that the next Conference should have before it a general report on wages.The Conference failed to reach agreement on a revised text of the ILO’s 1933 Convention governing fee-charging employment agencies, and the delegates decided to place the question on the agenda again next year.Ceylon Admitted In addition to these decisions, the Conference : in non-metropolitan territories.3.Adopted a budget of $5,215,539 for the 1949 operations of the Organization.4.Instructed the ILO’s Governing Body to consult with the United Nations to examine “what developments to existing international machinery may be necessary to ensure the safeguarding of freedom of association.” 5.Admitted Ceylon as a member country of the Organization 6.Invited'the Supreme Commander Allied Powers in Japan to send observer delegation to the Conference.Equal Pay for Women Invited the Governing Body to consider placing on an early agenda, preferably in 1949, the question of equal remuneration of men and women workers for work of equal value.8.Requested the Governing Body to consider placing on an early agenda the subject of the guaranteed wage.9.Adopted amendments to its standing orders, including amendments defining the rights and privileges of non-governmental organizations enjoying consultative status with the Organization.10.Elected eight government, eight employer and eight worker members to the 32-member Governing Body for a three-year period.The Conference brought together 443 delegates and advisers from 51 of the Organization’s 59 member countries.During the session El Salvador and the Philippines became members by notifying the ILO of their acceptance of the obligations imposed by the Constitution.Burma, Pakistan and Syria, which became members since the 1947 session, were represented by delegations.\\* \\ * \\\* + Canadian Labor Report AFL Calls Upon All Labor to Quit WFTU Ry Ruth TAYLOR When we pray to be delivered from pride, do we mean just that, or is arrogance the word we should use.Self-respect —or presumption of superiority?1 think that what we need right now i- a lot more pride in ourselves as individuals and as a nation and a lot less arrogance in the way in which we show that pride.We should he proud, not of what we have, but of what we are.\\ e should he proud of talents well-used, of abilities made effective by action, of ideals translated into deeds.We should be proud to do right, and loo proud to do evil.We need the kind of pride that makes us sure enough of ourselves so that we may serve with humbleness but without humility.We need the kind of pride that keeps us from backbiting, from resentment, from vengeltdthinking, from actions that might hurt another.We need pride in ourselves in our work well done, no matter how humble that work.We need pride in our potential .talents—pride enough so that we will work hard to use them' wisely.We need pride in our friends pride enough to believe in their loyalty as they may believe in ours.W'e need pride iti our ability to learn- -in our awakened minds.It was Herbert Spencer who said that you are educated if yon can do what you ought, whether you want to do it or not.We need pride enough to achieve this true education.We need pride in ourselves so that we may never look up or down at any other man.We need pride to look situations and people straight in the face and make our own decisions— and then carry them through.We need pride that we may love our fcllowmen.We need pride enough to keep us from hating our enemies, lest that he unworthy of the standards we have set for ourselves.But we need pride without arrogance, l’ride that is selfless -pride that says: "Not of myself do I do this.I am God’s handiwork.My pride is of His work in me.Of myself I am nothing.” That is the pride we need—and we need it desperately today both as a people and as a nation.ILGWU Officials Get Italian Award David Dubinsky, president of the International Ladies Garment Workers l nion, and Luigi Antonini, first vicepresident of the union, received the award Star of Italian Solidarity from the Italian government “for the contribution they and their organization have given to the work of reconstruction in Italy.” The awards, recently created by Italy, were presented by Mario l)i Stefano.Italian Chargé d'Aflaires in Washington, at a dinner in honor of Mr.Antonini’s 65th birthday here.The dinner, attended by 2,000 persons, was sponsored by Local 89, Italian Dressmakers Union, of which Mr.Antonini is manager.Mr.Antonini, who recently returned from a speaking tour of Italy, as- DAVID DUBINSKY serted that “no unity is possible with the Communists,” adding that the “Communists who now dominate the Italian Confederation of Labor use it as an instrument of the Cominform." Speakers at the dinner included Matthew Woll, executive council member, of the AFL; Norman Thomas, Socialist presidential candidate; Adolf A.qrflc, Jr., chairman of the Liberal party; Arturo Giovanitli, and Mr.Dubinsky.Communist Tactics One of the disturbing features about.Communist influence in the Housewives Consumers1 Association now exposed to the publie, is that so many housewives apparently did not realize that fhe Labor Progressive party is simply another name for the Communist party.The new name was born early in the war when Communism was banned in Canada bc-¦iuse of its subversive activities.It should still be fresh in public memory that the Communist party was opposed to Canada’s participation in the war.For Canadians generally, it was a war of self-defence (ought to save democratic civilization from being engulfed by a horrid despotism.The Communists, however, had different ideas.They denounced the war as an “imperialist’’ war and did all they could to spread confusion about our war aims and pro-am.That is why the Communist party was proscribed.Soon the Labor Progresive party was organized.Communist leaders were at its head, and the rank and file remained the same.They had changed their name, but they could not change their character, their methods, or their objectives.Now, as always, the Labor Provresivo party is engaged in a conspiracy and freedom.Another point must be remembered, in examining the credentials of Communists.They not only opposed Can-ad:i \s entry into the war; during the terrible year of 1940, when freedom was in peril, they stood aloof and indulged in mischief-making.They tried to provoke strikes, arouse industrial unrest, hamper military enlistment, and harm the war effort.Then Russia was attacked by Germany, and overnight the Communists chan god.At once they began to support 1 lie war effort.They did not care about Canada, about Britain and the Commonwealth, about the survival of freedom.They cared only about Russia.Their loyalty belonged to Russia, not to Canada.That is as true today as it was yesterday, and it will always be true.The Communists are always against the best interests of this country.They cannot be trusted.The one thing that can be relied upon, in Communists, is their absolute unreliability.Communists are more than a loud mouthed minority.They are a cell of conspirators pledged to destroy the existing order.That is their purpose and their pride.Their arrogance, of course, is greater than their ability or power.But their work is advanced if the majority of citizens, who loathe Communism, are blind to these tricks and tactics because of a sense of seeuritv.—ÏAibor Xeirs.The American Federation of Labor called upon all other labor organizations to quit the Soviet-dominated World Federation of Trade Unions.Mailing the recent stand taken by Arthur Deakin, British union leader and president of the WF 1 U who declared the organization had been “captured” by the Communists, a statement issued by the AFL said : “There is no longer any reason for any self-respecting free trade union organization in the Old or New World to continue its at filiation with or contribute one cent to support the WFTU.” In this hemisphere, the CIO is the principal affiliate of the international labor body which also numbers as its members the Canadian Congress of Labor and several Latin-American organizations.The AFL refused to become affiliated and lias fought consistently to undermine the WFTU’s influence in world affairs.“The AFL welcomes the crushing defeat administered to the Communist totalitarians by the British Trade Union Congress in session at Margate,” the statement said.“By overwhelmingly rejecting all proposals to have the T UC reaffirm its support of the WFTU, British labor lias rendered a signal service to the cause of true international labor solidarity, human freedom, and world reconstruction and peace.“The sound and scathing indictment of the WFTU, made by it> president, Arthur Deakin, as a Cominform (Communist Information Bureau) fomentor of social disorder and promoter of economic chaos in the interest of Russian imperialist aggression will prove of inestimable aid in fostering a fundamental alignment in the ranks of international labor.Such realignment is an essential prerequisite for attaining the effective labor support so indispensable to the success of the European Recovery Program.” The AFL statement expressed the hope that “this authoritative declaration by one of the outstanding ;lnd most influential spokesmen of the powerful and forward-looking British labor movement will finally dissipate all illusions that the Russians have been stopped in their use of the WFTU as a sounding hoard against the ERP and have been deprived of their best weapon in the ideological battle for European labor.” “The AFL,” it continued, “has always stood for welding the firmest world bonds of democratic labor in a well-knit international federation of genuine free trade unions, unions free from domination by employers, governments and political parties.We have from the very inception warned against the role of the WFTU as an enormous obstacle to international labor solidarity and to the effective mobilization of the working people for sound economic reconstruction, social justice and lasting peace.“The AFL lias redoubled its efforts and greatly extended its undertakings in behalf of international free trade unionism as a bulwark of democracy, equitable standards of life, decent conditions of work and international harmony.“It is in this spirit that the AFL heartily welcomes the historic decision of the Margate congress against the WFTU.We hail this decision which unties the hands of the TUC leadership and enables the great British trade union movement to take its rightful place in the front ranks »>f international labor, dedicated to the attainment of a world free from the tear of poverty and dictatorship and secure against the menace and horrors of war.” What Is a Customer ?An interesting and in formative defi- Special Representatives Spark Anti-Waste Drive The labor-management production committee at the Sherwin-Williams Company here has concentrated much of its activity on the prevention of waste.This committee was organized two years ago with the co-ojicratioii of Local 240 of the International Chemical Workers Union (TLC-AFL).Latest move in this committee’s campaign against waste is the appointment of waste representatives in each department of the plant.These representatives will assist the waste subcommittee of the LMBC anil will work in close co-operation with their foremen and department heads.Their work is described in the EMIT' minutes as follows : “When any wasteful practice of any description can he eliminated in some way.the representative will discuss the matter immediately with the foreman or superintendent.Action can then be taken at once instead of waiting for the next waste sub-committee meeting.At the following meeting, the representative will report on all such mat ni tion ot What is a Customer.' was | ters and advise the action taken, given employees of a large department store recently in its house organ.; Well worth consideraiton, and réitéra-1veniont to all concerned.’ ings should take place not of teller ’ ;m once a month at a time con- tiou, it says “What Is A Customer; The extent of the attention being 1 paid to the question of waste is indi word “customer lias always had aionted by the number of items devoted pleasant connotation, during the war period, some people rather lost sight of its full significance.So, hv way of reminder, we give you a few brief answers to the question: “A customer is the most important person in our business — in per sop or by mail.“A customer is not dependent upon us We are dependent upon him.“A customer is not an interruption of our work — he is the purpose of it.We are not doing him a favor by serving him — he is doing us a favor h\ giving us the opportunity to do so.“A customer is not an outsider to our business — he is part of it.“A customer is not a cold statistic — lie is a flesh-and-blood human being with feeling- and emotions like our own, and with, your biases and prejudices.“A custom'- is not someone to argue with or match wits with.Nobody ever won an argument with a customer.“A customer is a person who brings us his wants.It is our job to handle them profitably to him and to ourselves.” Retail Clerks Advocate.to waste in the monthly minutes.In May there were no less than 11 items on the minutes regarding waste, and in June there were 6 items.The subcommittee lias made special studies concerning waste in connection with the water supply, heat and electricity.Another study was devoted to the compressed air lines in the plant.In each case a number of recommendations were decided upon and these are passed on to the employees through posters and personal contact by the foreman and the LMPC representatives.The committee has not confined its attention to matters of waste but has been active in improving working conditions and safety, planning guard instruct ion and arranging recreational and social events.The Law of Union Supply and Union Demand I.M.Ornburn, Secretary-Treasurer Union Label Trades Department American Federation of Labor The “demand” by American consumers for superb-quality union-made goods must keep pace with the ever-increasing “supply”.As production of them grows in volume more union men and women are employed hut they cannot long hold their jobs unless their products are sold The same is true of efficient union services.It is at tin* local level—at the merchant’:- counter or in a hotel or restaurant that the1 demand must start.It the goods do not hear the I nion Label and if the services are not designated by a Union Shop Card nr a Union Hutton, refuse to patronize the place and tell the management why you are walking mil.This method especially applies to a member of a union and the members of his family.The growing popularity of the Union Label, Shop Card and Button significant.Consumers have come to realize that union-made merchandise must he purchased in order to maintain a steady output of them.Let’s not just “talk” about the “law of supply and demand” let’s practice it every time we patronize any business establishment.‘Experience is the father of wisdom" Veteran Secretary of Labor Body Dies William Lodge, active in organized labor for more than half a century and for 29 years secretary of ;tlie Ottawa Allied Trades and Labor Association, died in Ottawa.A printer by trade, “Billy” Lodge became a member of the International Typographical Union in 1903.In 1907, he was its official delegate to the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada convention for the first time and until 1940 had attended 28 conventions.In 1947, he was Canadian labor representative at the annual convention of the American Federation of Labor.Canadian Delegates Named for ILO Conference at Geneva Arthur MacNamara, Deputy Minister of Labour, announced the names of Canada’s delegates t*» the Technical Tripartite Conference of ; the International Labor Organization meeting at Geneva from i September 27 to October 16.Dr.Bertrand Bcllcniarc, special adviser to the Quebec Department of Labor on industrial security and hygiene, lias been named as the Government representative.R.B.Morley, General Manager of the Industrial Accident Prevention Association.of Toronto, will represent employers, while Chester Jordan, of the International Brotherhood of Paper Makers of Quebec City, is the Workers’ Delegate.The Conference will examine a Draft Model Code of Safety Regulations for Factories.The delegates sailed September 18 from Halifax on hoard the “Aquitania”.m.DS EXPORT ALE : 01AND & SON LIMITED Brewers of Fine Canadian Beers and Ales for Generations BEIair 7558 PLateau 1841 Page 8 SAMEDI, 25 SEPTEMBRE 1948 MONTREAL — SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1948 THE LABOR WORLD Present System Inadequate The fact that millions of Americans haven’t the money to pay for adequate medical care and treatment is the strongest single argument for federal health insurance.I his is stressed by Oscar R.having, Federal Security Administrator, in his report proposing a 10-year national health program.“All our analyses of the problems of health,’’ Administrator having said, “have brought up again and again against a singlestone wall barrier—Till'.INABIL1IN Oh Mil.LIONS Oh PEOPLE TO MEET THE COSTS Oh' HEALTH SERVICES.” having pointed Out that not only does this impair the health of millions, but it also acts to restrict the construction of hospitals, the expansion of medical schools and the development of needed medical services.“Voluntary insurance plans cannot do the job that has to lx done,” having said and continued, “under these circumstances, we have only two alternatives: 1) We can plan a method of pre- paid government health insurance that can be tailored to fit the nation’s needs, or 2) We can go ahead as we have in the past.” having, in common with organized labor and many other progressive groups, rejects the second alternative, emphasizing that we can improve the nation’s health to a marked degree and that what was “good enough 50 or 40 years ago no longer is adequate.” He further points out that the present system of paying for medical services “is the system under which millions of our people are unable to obtain adequate medical care or services." This paper is confident that a big majority of Americans recognize the inadequacy of present methods of paying for medical services and are ready for a great forward step in the promotion of health, such as is proposed in Administrator having’s report.ON ROADS BY RUTH TAYLOR Roads have a peculiar fascination for me.They mind their own business so admirably — just keeping on going, skirting obstacles when they conveniently can, but not hesitating to go through them if it is necessary.They have as many different personalities as people — and in some cases the same faults.However you look upon roads — whether as a means of getting somewhere fast, or a way that leads to a new place and a new start, or as a tie that binds people closer together, or as a pulsing- artery of a nation’s life — you will find a lesson in them.Probably that is why the analogy of roads to life has been made so often.I’ve done it myself.But there are two thoughts I’d like to pass on.One is a story-taken from one of the labor papers.It is the tale of the wife who asked her husband why he was stopping the automobile.“The road book says to turn north and follow the trolley.We’ll have to wait .until one comes along,” he replied.Stupid?Of course.But, Brother — how often in your union meeting have you waited for the trolley to come along so you could follow it?For the other fellow to get up and offer an idea?For some other union to do something first?Yes, I know.You followed when someone else showed the way.You didn’t know the road?So what?Couldn’t you drive carefully and work it out for yourself?After all, someone built the roads.Someone pioneered in labor for the advantages with which your arc discontented.How about your doing something for those who will follow you?Why block traffic by sitting still waiting for someone to show you the way ?The other idea came in a letter from a labor organizer.“It isn’t the bends in the road that worry us, but the crossroads.” You know there is a lot of meat in that sentence.We are used to maneuvering around situations, to taking changes as they come — but when the need for a decision arrives — that is another matter.That is when we have to stop and think.And don’t we hate that ! i I said we with intention.I’m guilty, too.) There is one thing we can do when we come to a crossroad.We can look upon it as an opportunity, not as an ordeal.We know where we are going — and what we want to do is to take the road that leads there, not be led astray by any attractive detour.If the road we arc on is wrong, the crossroad means we can get off it If it is right, then the crossroad is just a mark in the day’s journey.All we have to do is to pick the place we are going and keep on until we get there.An this is the end of this road.Ext dernière heure Cessation de travail à la Dominion Foils — Négocia tions en cours chez "Burnett" — Au Mont-Royal.On nous apprend que les employés de la Dominion Foils de Eachîne, ont quitté leur travail le 30 septembre dernier pour appuyer leurs revendications auprès de la compagnie.Selon le confrère Victor Trudeau, organisateur de la 1 1., les représentants de la compagngie avaient convenu verba-j lenient d’une augmentation de dix sous de l’heure, rétroactive au mois de juillet.Quand on vint pour signer le contrat, cependant, les patrons ne se souvenaient plus de cette clause, personnel de la Dominion I-oils est bien résolu à renouveler mémoire au patronat.Chez VBumett” , confrère Roméo Tardif nous communique que les négociations vont bon train chez Burnett, et qu’il v a bon espoir que tout soit réglé d’ici peu, à la satisfaction des nouveaux membres de 1 union internationale des employés de buanderie.Au Mont-Royal.L’union des employés d’hôtel, local 382 tente présentement de renouveler son contrat avec l’hôtel Mont-Royal, concernant quelque mille eriipoyés.Le confrère Trudel, du local 27 des cuisiniers, collabore avec Jack Shaw pour hâter la signature de cet important contrat.Back to School (FROM THE MACHINIST) The time has come ’round when the nation’s schools and colleges again open their doors, and when thousands of young men and women must make a fateful decision.In 'these boom days when it is still relatively easy to find a job at fairly good pay, the temptation is strong to decide against going to school any longer.But the hard truth is that these boom times will not last forever.-it is much harder for a man or woman without an education to get ahead in the world than it is for one who has had formal training, and a high school education is the minimum that a young man or woman needs to make his way in the world.When it comes to college, that is perhaps a different matter.I nt those who long for an education should get it while they can.I he day comes all too soon when you must take up your task in a work-a-day world, and opportunity once lost, may never return.Reactionaries Aiding Reds By D.W.TRACY Communism throughout the world and in the United States threatens the preservation of freedom.We can overcome the threat b.V hard thought and action.We will fail if emotion is sublituted for I'ids and reason.Hie facts of history show that the trade union movement in America has been, and is, the stoutest bulwark against the Communists, who tell us that Government cannot, and must not, be bv consent of the governed.Today, however, as the American people light Communism, a reactionary Congress pushes the thoroughly inconsistent policy of destroying the American trade unions.C ommunism docs not ride the power tinder the banner of a high standard of living.It seizes control only in the wake of a severe depression of the living conditions of the working population.Blind to fact and carried aways by its passion to “get” labor, the 80th Congress and its allies in the state legislatures have furnished the means for the destruction of organized labor.Only the current labor shortage, restrains the eagerness of the reactionaries to use the anti-labor weapons forged by the legislators.At the first sign of an economic setback these anti-labor weapons will be used.And as the reactionaries succeed in destroying organized labor they will aid the Communists in attaining their first objective, which is the lowering of the living standards of the American wage earner to a point where conditions become ripe for a conquest of freedom by Communism.Rationing by Hardship I’lie failure of the Republican Congress to pass President I ruman’s anti-inflation program has doomed the American people to a continuation of rationing by hardship.Currently buyers’ strikes are making headlines even in Republican newspapers which still refuse to admit on their editorial pages that high prices are any problem at all.\ et the truth is that rationing by hardship has already kept many thousands more housewives from meat counters than have the buyers’ strikes.Untold thousands find their food rationed by their inability to buy as much food as they need because of high prices.Even Senator Taft came close to recognizing this fact when he made the remarkable statement that “prices have about caught up with purchasing power.” When prices come close enough to catching up with the purchasing power of Senator Taft and his upper-bracket associates, it should be apparent to anyone that these same prices must have long since PASSED the buying power of the average citizen.President Truman stated the nub of the issue in his statement when he signed the timid legislation sent him bv the special session as a weapon against inflation.The President emphasized that the program he proposed ‘ would prevent some people from getting too much and would help others to get enough.” President Truman contrasted this with the Republican program of inaction.He described it as letting “the plain people bear the brunt of its (inflation’s) burdens, while special interests reap the benefits of excessive prices.” That is what is happening today and no amount of hopeful talk by Senator Taft or determined silence by Governor Dewey can hide the fact that we have today rationing bv hardship.Strange as it may seem, nevertheless it is true, that President Truman’s charge that the SOth Congress is responsible for the graving inflation and that claim was verified by no less a personage than the GOP wheel horse himself, Senator Robl.A.Taft (R), from Ohio, when he, daring a debate on inflation July 30 in the senate said: '7 DO ROT SAY THE CONGRESS IS ROT TO BLAME.TOR INFLATION.OF COURSE IT IS.” Fish Walking down the street with a friend one day, a professor passed a large fish store where a fine catch of codfish, with mouths wide open and eyes staring, were arranged in a row.The professor stopped, looked at them, and clutching his friend by the arm, exclaimed: “Heavens, that reminds me—I should he teaching a class.” A Give-Away 1 he class had been given a rather difficult sum to do for homework and, strange to relate, Tommy, the dunce of the class, was the only onc with the correct answer."Did your big brother help you with this, Tommy?" asked the teacher."No sir," truthfully replied Tommy.“He did it alone.” ooua sroYT té A HIT/ o J^IGHT off the bat, you’ll go for the smootl taste, the keen refreshment, of a Sports man Cigarette.With your very first puff, you’I enjoy the full rich flavour of choice Virginit tobacco —guaranteed pure and free from am adulteration.You’ll like Sportsman’s exclu sive ‘ALLWEATHER’ waterproof paper, too It does not stick to your lips.Start now tc enjoy the smoke of good sportsmen every^ where—Sportsman Cigarettes.When your favourite player hits a hom with hases loaded, relax—light up a Sportsma, 1 ou ll find its mild, mellow flavour a sooti ing treat in or out of the park.VIRGINIA CIGARETTES Rolled with 'ALLWEATHER' Waterproof Pap Carreras Ltd., London, England.(Est.1788)