Le monde ouvrier = The labor world, 1 décembre 1959, Décembre

, *',qUI diront contenter d'une bébell.a 15 cent, qui ne durer» mime pa» la journée de la fête.Ça peu» être un drame pour ce, enfant,-la et, pour le, parents, c'e.t une cause de peina et d Irritation qu, peut la, amener i morigéner et 1 rudoyer le, petit, mécontent,.Voilé qui va leur faire un Joyeux Noël, à ce, familUs-lé I Avec le, enfant» un peu plu» âgé, et plus conscients, ceux qu'on ne peu tromper avec un jouet de rien du tout, on peut provoquer de vraie, tragédie, infime,.La garçon ou la fille de 10 ou 13 an» qui reçoit un |ouet coûteux, comme une bicyclette ou des ski», da pare,., peu fortune,, et qui sait quels sacrifice, un tel cadeau représente pour ,os parent», qui sait qu'ils ont probablement dû s'endetter ou renoncer â » acheter eux-mêmes des choses essentielle», croyez-vous que cet enfant peut passer un Joyeux Noël ou un bon Jour de I An ?Pour un enfant intelligent, quel plaisir y a-t-il à recevoir I.cadeau rêvé quand il sait que ,a mère n'a pas une robe convenable i »e mettre sur le dos ou qu elle devra »e priver de remède, pre,-crits par le médecin ?v Le manque d'argent peu, gâter le, fêtes do bien d'autres façon, Vous prenez les parents pauvre» qui ne peuvent se permettre deux ,o,ties par année, et qui doivent transporter quatre ou cinq jeunes anfants an aufcbur, à Noël ou au Jour do l'An.Les petit, nerveux, bousculés, tombent dans la bouc, pleurent, s'attirent de» ta-oct.es a moitié méritées de la part de leurs parents débordés, et la famille rentre a la maison, le soir, plus fatiguée et plus malheureuse qu après une tournée ordinaire.Ah ! C'est beau, le temps de, fête, quand après une dure année de labeurs et de sacrifices, on n'a même' pfls les moyens de 10 payer un taxi | Il n'est pa, étonnant, dan» ce» conditions-là, que des pères de familles décourages e, humilié, de ne pa, pouvoir offrir davantage de bonheur à leur femme et à leur, enfants, prennent un coup trop fort avec de» amis aussi malheureux qu'eux et qu'ils ne soient même pas au foyer pour célébrer la Noël et le Jour de l'An.Il y , d.» limites à la résistance humaine.Mai» il se trouvera quand même de» gen» qui, désespéré» de n.pas savoir quoi se donner mutuellement en cadeaux tant il» sont comblé», trouveront le courage effronté de mépriser un pauvre homme rencontré ,aoûl la nui, do Noël et de dire que le, ouvrier, n'ont pas de coeur, qu'il» no savent pa» économiser et qu'il» ne méritent pa, un meilleur ,ort.Et ce, gens-là, qui se font croiro que leur aisanco n est que la récompense do leurs effort,, se font souvent payer leurs festivité, par leur» employés, les consommateur, et les contribuables, en exploitant légalement le, ouvrier», en volant le public avec de» prix exorbitant», en fraudant l'impôt et leur propre compagnie avec leur» compte» de dépenses «t leur» 'stock options".Et remarquez que je n'ai pa» parlé des famille, de chômeurs et da gréviste,, réduit» a la misère par un régime économique inhumain et son» ame J'aimerai, bien vous souhaiter un Joyeux Noël et une Bonne Année, mai, j'aim.mioux me battra avec vous pour que ca arrive vraiment un jour.* Huguetto PLAMONDON C'est une institutrice qui n'en-scignc pas, une femme qui adore les enfants mais n'est pas mariée, une Acadienne qui vit à Montréal.Imelda Léger, la secrétaire de I Association de, commi» du détail (FAT-COI, CTC), a trouvé dans «on travail une satisfaction et un contentement qui ont remplacé métier, enfants et pay».Son sourire, »a vivacité, ,os yeux noirs intelligent» témoignent d'une personne heureuse de vivre, bien portante et raisonnablement satisfaite de ion sort.Nee à Caraquet, au Nouveau-Brunswick, la compagne Léger y a passé une partie de »a .-i».Pendant une diiaino d'année», elle a enseigné dans le comté de Gloucester, dont son père était le représentant è la législature de cette province ô Fredericton.Puis, à la mort de son père, elle est venue à Montréal avec se» frores et une soeur qui vit avec elle.Elle a fait divers métier», ayant quitté l'enseignement "parce que c'était trop épuisant", même ji elle adore les enfants.Il y a une dizaine d'années, elle est allée travailler chez Thrift et là elle a fait connaissance avec le syndicalisme.' Un pou comme tout le monde, je ne connaissais du syndicalisme que ce que j'en lisais dans les journaux, où on ne nous montre pas toujours les deux cotes de la médaille, déclare la compagne Léger.Mais quand on m a dit qu il fallait entrer dans I union, je n’ai pas fait de difficulté et je m'y suis intéressée tout de suite.J'ai suivi régulièrement le» assemblées." Peu après on l'élisait membre du comité exécutif du local, poste qu elle a occupé pondant deux ans.Quand I union des commis du détail a eu besoin d'une nouvelle secrétaire, le confrère Paul Doucet, agent d'affaires de l'UCD, lui a offert l'emploi.Depuis trois an», elle l'occupe de la correspondance, de, cartes de membre, de, téléphonas, elle visite de» membre» malades, reçoit le, gen, au bureau."C'est un travail intéresiant, j'aime bien rencontrer les gens et j'aim» bien aussi le côté 'service social' do mon poste".L'Union des commi» du détail, qu.existe au Canada depuis 1948, compte à Montréal et aux environs, un millier do membres dans le commerce do l'épicerie.Des grands magasins à chaîne comme Thrift et Dominion sont syndiqués, et d'autres sont on voie de l'être.Il y a des locaux à Saint-Jérôme, Sherbrooke, St-Eustache et Sorel.Gisèle BERGERON IL Y AVAIT UN BALLET, eefte année, au Bal des Midinettes, et, dans le ballet "Los petite» mains", le» Midinette, symbolisaient au moyen d'un bal une grève faite il y a plusieurs année» pour obtenir la semaine .de 66 heures ! On aperçoit ici le maire Sarto Fournier, de Montréal, couronnant la nouvelle reine de, Midinette», notre jolie compagne Lise Pronovoif.Hi TWjoWm ÛMKj bOiljtA, fyjty un compte, cféjWî/jnû Ouvrez un compte d’épargne dès aujourd'hui à l'une de, succursale» de la Banque Royale.LA BANQUE ROYALE DU CANADA m 11 H -h: JOUEZ AUX (VILLES POUR VOTRE SANTE aux mk "1JW salles de quilles da?3s î union de Montréal 't/Ht Faites vos réservations pour nos ligues de maisons de cette année ou pour l'année prochaine ou encore joignez-vous à nos ligues établies TOUTES NOS SALLES DE QUILLES SONT EQUIPEES DE FACILITES POUR NOURRITURE, BREUVAGE ET VESTIAIRE.CAROL'S BOWLING ALLEY Dan» le Centre d'achat» de Côte St-Luc 7003, COTE ST-LUC V|.5-6240 STATIONNEMENT GRATUIT - 42 ALLEES Montreal Bowling Academy 1294, rue ST-ANDRE VI.5-6246 STATIONNEMENT GRATUIT - 28 ALLEES FORUM BOWLING 1414.rue CLOSSE 24 ALLEES VI.5-6249 BOWL-A-WA Y 920 est, rue ST-ZOTIQUE VI, 5-6234 STATIONNEMENT GRATUIT - 24 ALLEES LH MONDE OUVRIES DECEMBRE 1959 MONTREAL DECEMBER 1959 THE LABOUR WORLD Founded by Gustave Francq, in 1916 The Dean of Canadian Labour Papors » gp.Published in under tu promote the legislative relornis needed fur the protection ut the Quebec working class and for the betterment of its lot.Official organ of the QUEBEC FEDERATION OF LABOUR .Executive Committee Roger PROVOST, president; Edouard LAROSE, Jean GERIN-LAJOIE, vice president; Roméo GIRARD, secretary; Eucher CORBEIL, treasurer Director: Roger PROVOST; Editor: Noël PERUSSE.Address all correspondance to: 1327 St.Joseph Blvd.East, Montreal 34 — Tel.LAfantaino 7-1218 Printed by Radlomonde, 8430 Casgrain Street, DU.7-6218 "*K£r;j 109 Author* rod o» hcoivJ claw ma-*, l*o»t Office Dopiftmont, Ottowo.EDITOR I A L A Year For Organising One of the moot serious arguments invoked by opponents of political action is that the union movement is not yet strong enough, because we Have not succeeded in organizing the great majority of workers.It is true that two-thirds of the labour force are not yet unionized.It is evident that we could exert much more effective action if almost all workers were part of our movement.But it is no less evident that it is almost impossible for unions to win new members when the law, the government and governmental boards do not effectively guarantee full exercise of the right of association.Wo know something about this, we of Quebec.And there is another thing that we have learned, we of Quebec.It is that only political action by the union movement, under whatever form, can force governmental authorities to recognize the right of association and to permit workers to group themselves in unions.Therefore, if it is preferable that the union movement be very powerful before launching itself into political action, it is essential that it take political action to obtain laws which will permit it to expand by recruiting the unorganized.We could discuss indefinitely which comes first in this cose, the chicken or the egg.Whatever may be the eventual result of such a discussion, one thing is certain at the present moment : thanks to the political action it has carried out to date, especially since Murdcchville, the union movement has obtained certain improvements in the labour laws.However imperfect these improvements might appear, it is only by the use of these laws that we can judge their real value.Premier Sauve has invited us to make a "fair trial" of them; for the moment, there remains nothing else for us to do.If, as the government claims, the new labour relations law is able to assure full exercise of the right of association by effectively protecting non-union workers against dismissal for union activity and other acts of intimidation, then so much the better; we will be able to recruit by the tens of thousands v/orkers who aspire to the advantages of unionism.In this case, we will soon be in a position to carry out effective political action with the support of almost all workers, as the present opponents of political action desire.If, to the contrary, Bill 8 does not effectively protect the right of association; if, as some contend, it is not rigourous enough to prevent a repetition of Murdochville, then so much the worse; we will still be at the same point and we will have no other alternative but to continue the struggle on the political level to obtain batter labour laws.In such a case, we will have to carry out political action to be able one day to rally almost all workers to our cause, as the present opponents of political action desire.The year 1950 should then be the year for organization and recruitment.Let us put Bill 8 to the tost.If it goes well, we will be strong enough for political action.If it does not go well, we will continue political action in order to become stronger.Comaany High Off xecutim The Hog ! By Morden LAZARUS Postal employees and other civil servants are sweating it out waiting for a wage increase before the next election, but company executives' salaries ana increments don't have to wait for a friendly nod from Messrs.Diefenbaker und Fleming.They just keep soaring.^9,000) plus $22,620 payment-on a $20,000 pension at 65.Just to make sure he hat enough to live on, Mr.Hatch owns about 50,000 shares of company stock paying him divi- The smart executive today has a four-pronged fork to feed him.The first prong is his salary.The second is tax-free stock option profits.The third is a generous tax-free pension plan.The fourth it dividend cheques which carry a 20% tax rebate.Here's How It Works Let's take Hiram Walker-Good-erham and Worts Ltd., whisky distillers and friends of the working man.The president is Howard R.Walton who lives in Michigan.Here is what his fork dipped into last year ! Salary Stock Options $125,000 Potential profit $186,000 tax free.G & W Pension Dividends $29,480 on a $36,000 $20,000 a year pension at 65.Mr.Walton exercised an option on 12,000 shares at $22.50 and they're woHh about $38 a share today.One vice-president, B.E.Ford, got $93,750 as salary and options on 4,500 shares at $32.50.Another vice-president H.C.Hatch got $79,880 plus options on 1,200 shares at $21.69 profit now $19,200) plus options on 3,500 shares at $3 i .59 (profit now $22,750) plus a $10,190 payment on a $20,000 a year pension at 65.Gazette Blamed MONTREAL — Th« OFL convention ha* unanimously blamed the MONTREAL GAZETTE for having preiented its readers with a distorted view of what the officers had to say about tho new Sauvé government."Union Leaders Approve Sauvé/' said the paper.The article was based on the following excorpt from the Officers' Report : "Tho irony of fate rules that, AT THE MO.MENT, It is PERHAPS in Quebec where this danger (of neo-feudalism and technocratic fascism) APPEARS the least obvious." This heavily-qualified statement could not possibly be construod as being a stamp of approval on the new administration, and it was further qualified to the extent of becoming a warning against our being "lulled into a feeling of false security." This you did not read in the GAZETTE, nor did you hear it over the CBC, which relies on CANADIAN PRESS for its news coverage, the latter being fed almost exclusively on GAZETTE and STAR stuff.Philosophy Of The Fast Buck Treasurer H.E.Harmon got a salary of $45,000 plus options on 600 shares at $22.50 (profit now dends of about $75,000 a year.Pres.Walton owns about 24,000 shares paying dividends of about $36,000 a year.Nos meilleurs voeux de Santé el de Prospérité à l'occasion de la nouvelle année ST-flLEXflNDRE N\> l_I fs/1 l "I tL £=_ rxrTTray7n-frr5mn-CTJ» -4:1333^0833333 "L« (si* St-Alexandr.est d'un, riches*.et d'une pureté «bsolues" THE MOST W 0 N B E R F U L WORDS.The most wonderful words the world has ever heard express humanity's most cherished wish for all time.They are the glad tidings of great joy of which the angels once sang, a rich promise that forever blesses our greatest of festivals.They are the eternal hope and faith of the glorious Christmas message : "On earth peace, good will toward men." A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! irfnr?t'lv 3BSSgjglH^B33Ega: TTS77 'JE-»* 1 J 1HE LABOUR WORLD DECEMBRE 1959 — MONTREAL — DECEMBER 1959 What the C.of C.Realty Wants : LE MONDE OUVRIER "A Program For The Benefit Of The Few Against The Welfare Of The Majority" ! (prominent Icsho&ir Sawyer eShcsrges) The Canadian Chamber of for three things : A tougher legislative line Reductions in government pansion in social welfare .And, three — reduction in Let's look quickly at each in turn.First, amendments to our labour laws.The Chamber would like : -to increase the unions' civil responsibility -to outlaw strikes in certain circumstances to restrict picketing to prohibit union security clauses —to have the government control strike votes to determine by law the period during which strike ac tion can be taken.THE LOGICS OF THE POCKETBOOK I In asking for all this, the Chamber is being quite inconsistent with its famous principles of free negotiation and minimum government intervention.In fact, if we refer to the policy declaration and resolution adopted at last month's annual meeting, we read : "Employers and em- ployees should be left the maximum freedom to work out their common problems without government intervention, unless public health or safety are endangered.'' If employers and employees should be left the maximum freedom, why is the Canadian Chamber insisting on so many anti-labour laws ?Commerces is asking especially for labour.expenses — and no further extaxes.point was that : government policy should be to reduce expenses as promptly as economic conditions permit.The brief even goes as far as to suggest that the Federal employment insurance fund should not be used to pay special winter benefits.The Chamber is also opposed to any form of compulsory health insurance or state med icine.Now I am quoting again: "So-called 'free' health services would result in vastly increased demands upon them." And the policy declaration continues : "It is impossible to forecast the probable cost of a national health program.But its cost would substantially exceed the amount spent today on health in Canada." Well, experience has proved that today's salaries don't permit a man to provide for his— and his family's—medical care.And yet still, the Canadian Chamber refuses to share the cost of a welfare plan which might permit good health to those who cannot afford it.A SOAK-THE-POOR TAX POLICY The Canadian Chamber is also asking for a reduction in taxes.The brief states that taxes are too high, discouraging initiative.Hero is the full text of a comment given by labour lawyer Guy Merrill Desaulniers of the CBC television program "Viewpoint", on the 26th of November last, about the brief the Canadian Chamber of Commerce had just submitted to the Fédérai Government in Ottawa.On the same day, at the opening of the QFL convention, president Roger Provost had blasted this document as being one of the worst pieces of fascist littérature he had ever seen.Union members should read Mr.Desaulnier's comment very carefully In order to see what is lying ahead for them if they let businessmen run this country of ours.On the other hand, if we look at federal statistics, wc find that the average wage and salary in Canada is $73.71 a week If the Chamber is really interested in the welfare of the majority — as it always claims it certainly should have asked for lower taxes for wage earners and salaried employees.Lower taxes for most of us — rather than for the big Corporations — would give us more initiative too — initiative to maintain a decent standard of living.IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE PROGRAM, KILL LABOUR FIRST Actually, what the Chamber seems to want is : 1.Legislation to curb and destroy the strength of the labour movement.2.A reduction in taxes which would benefit only those who make profits.3.A reduction in expenses, which would affect social security.In short, the recommendations made by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, if accepted by the Government, would have the effect of increasing the profits of corporations, decreasing the standard of living of employees and destroying or diminishing the gains made by all Canadian citizens in social security.In other words, it is a program for the benefit of the few against the welfare of the majority.Guy Merrill DESAULNIERS Only at eaton's.VIKlNC the name that sels a Canadian standard of value in MAJOR APPLIANCES STOVES DRYERS RADIO-PHONOGRAPHS SEWING MACHINES OUTBOARD MOTOR* FREEZERS TELEVISION FLOOR POLISHERS THE HELL WITH PEOPLES HEALTH ! The brief's second main àv-ï-î PLAIN OR FILTER TIP CIGARETTES Such a statement is quite surprising; only this morning, I heard Mr.Roger Provost, President of the Quebec Federation of Labour, analyse the profits being made by corporations in Canada : Corporation profits in Canada, he said, were running at a rate of 23°g above 1958 levels during the first six months of this year.Mr.Provost added that corporation profits before taxes, including dividends paid to non-residents, have increased from 698 million dollars in 1939 to 2 billion 930 million dollars last year.Such increase in profits proves that initiative has not been hampered by our taxes.• REFRIGERATORS • RADIOS • VACUUM CLEANERS • BOATS • WASHERS • HIGH FIDELITY YOU CAN BUY WITH COMPLETE CONFIDENCE AT EATON'S 'GOBS SATISFACTORY OR MONEY REFUNDED' LOOK FIRST FOR VIKING — you ccin'f make o SAFER buy .available only at EATON'S OF CANADA YOU BUY U/A TC.HAWK.FRC.INJUN ?r- -—»—«« P00EY/ im going back.TO THE AIRCRAFT PLANT.' THEY'RE ORGANIZED/ WHKRtS THE^Sj UNION LABEL,® (( ftwPAL ?l me XEL p ' \ >Yl .- / ¦ UNlOViABH ANplrPVICI mn AFl-no oiri 10 cents DECEMBER 1959 MONTREAL No.12 44th Year smm r*sy > ?• r->V- MONTREAL.— The 500 delegates to the 4th annual convention of the Quebec Federation of Labour decided by an overwhelming majority to persevere in political education and action.They adopted, with only four or five dissenting voices, two resolutions encouraging Federation leaders to intensify their discussions with a view to the eventual formation of a new popular and democratic political party.In a first resolution adopted almost without discussion, the convention mandated the executive to continue the discussions already underway and to undertake others, "especially at the regional and local level".The delegates gave their central body authoriiation to undertake an "extensive publicity campaign in order to lhow the similarity of interests and needs which exist among the various working classes".The resolution, submitted by the leaders of the Federation themselves, declared that "the reasons which inspired the almost unanimous adoption of the political resolution of our 1958 convention in Quebec are still just as valid".The next took note of the "greatly encouraging" results which have been obtained, with limited means, during the past year.In the words of a second resolution, adopted by an overwhelming majority after a long discussion, the delegates pronounced themselves in favour of holding numerous forums intended to prepare union delegates to make an enlightened and democratic decision on the new party project at the CLC convention next April in Montreal.By this resolution, the Federation also reiterated its support for the Winnipeg political resolution, which anticipated the eventual formation of a new party grouping labour and farm unions, co-operatives, and liberal-minded individuals.President Provosts Christmas Message "Peace on earth to men of good will." This is th« wish which almost everyone carries in his heart during this holiday period.It is necessary that I say "almost everyone", for it seems, as this year 1959 draws to i close, that there exist some men of bad will who arc working systematically to sow discord among humble people to divide them so as better to be able to rule them."Among these men of bad will who seek to foment the class struggle on Canadian soil, it is necessary that I mention the businessmen and industrialists who, through their propagandists and the newspaper editorial writers who serve them, are trying to moke industrial workers and farmers believe that they have conflicting interests and that they are the cause of each other's misfortune."The Stewart Commission, which recently published the results of its inquiry into the price spread of food products, has shown that a good number of citizens have been deceived by being led to believe that farmers were responsible for the high price of foods.Research carried out by the union movement permits us to state that a similar inquiry into tha prices of manufactured products would demonstrate that workers are to no higher degree responsible for the constant increase of prices and for inflation."While the great financial interests strive to set the working classes against each other, inquiries are regularly enlightening us on the cartels endeavouring to fix prices, on the exorbitant profits of many producers of food and pharmaceutical products, on the corruption prevalent in the fields of advertising and commercial radio and TV, etc.And government officials of bad will do practically nothing to protect the small wage-earners from the exploi tation of the needs and the credulity of the public."When they think they have succeeded in arousing public opinion against one of the working classes, these businessmen of bad will profit by the economic depression and unemployment which they helped create to try to strike a death blow to the popular movement which perhaps has contributed most to the public welfare of society, »o the standard of living of the population and to the maintenance of our democratic institutions — the union movement.And we can be sure that If ever they succeeded in destroying labour unions, the businessmen of bad will would lose no time In attacking farm unionism and the co-operative movement, and then democracy itself, so as to assure themselves a complete hold on the economy and the chance to exploit without restriction, in the name ot free enterprise, all the working classes of society."To restore social peace to Canada's soil and to permit men of good will to protect themselves against men of bad will, the workers of Quebec are busy creating a democratic and popular party which would group all working classes of society, industrial workers, farmers, co-operative members, white collar workers, etc.To those who frequently ask to whom this new party would appeal, we profit by the celebration of Christmas to reply: to all men of good will."To workers in the factory, on the farm, and in the office, to intellectual workers as to manual workers, I wish e Merry Christmas and a New Year better than those they have known up to the present." Roger PROVOST, OFL President.HERE IS PART OF THE 500 DELEGATES WHO ATTENDED THE RECENT QFL CONVENTION, in Montreal.This is the supreme body within our union organization.After lenghty and serious discussions on topics ranging from political action to the work performed by the Federation's staff, those people democratically decide what they consider beneficial to the labour movement and the public as a whole.Very few organisations are run in such a democratic and dedicated manner; no employers' and businessmen's association can qualify for these high standards of democracy in action.Any of these serious-looking delegates may get up and get the convention overrule the chairman or a committee; anyone may stand uo as a candidate and bring about the defeat of any candidate proposed to them on a compromise slate, ir.d this is done indeed.President Roger Provost called this gathering "your Parliament" and, mind you, lots of these people would qualify for any Parliament; and maybe they will one day.