Journal Stories From The 2000's

L.U. No. 230 Victoria, B.C.
Editor:

Yesterday, September 21. the forty-seventh annual convention of the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada was opened in Vancouver, BC, and at the present time, when so many schemes are being brought forward for the alleviation of the great evil of unemployment it might be interesting to our members to learn something of the policies advocated by the Congress.

The executive council states: “Labour has never claimed it is the duty of governments to paternalistically provide every man and woman with the necessities of life, but it does contend that for every normally fit man and woman there should be opportunity for employment at wages which will enable them to maintain a proper standard of living. If private enterprise fails in this respect, it does become the duty of governments to see that none is compelled either to starve or become paupers.”

Labour seeks to secure action in three ways.

1) By provision of work to eliminate unemployment, failing which:

2) Provision of the necessities of life for the destitute and

3) Measures to cope with future unemployment in an organized manner and prevent its recurrence to the greatest possible degree.

Labour’s policy briefly summarized:

Progressive reduction of hours through the shorter workday and five-day week; strict enforcement of one day’s rest in seven; and the granting of holidays with pay to workers of all classes.

Resistance to wage reductions so as to prevent lessening of the purchasing powers of the masses.

Participation by the workers through their trade unions in the management of industry.

Public ownership and control of public utilities to prevent stock-watering and other forms of over-capitalization of profiteering.

Abolition of fee-charging employment offices and continued development of free employment bureaus.

Unemployment Insurance

The statement recommends also the establishment of a national system of unemployment insurance based on contributions from the state, employers and the employees, and “pending this, the joint participation of federal, provincial and municipal authorities in payment of direct relief to needy and destitute unemployed and their families, as was done in 1921 and again under the Federal Unemployment Relief Act of 1930.”

“During times of trade depression work to be provided by federal, provincial and municipal authorities wherever possible by undertaking the erection and repair of public buildings, construction of highways, reforestation, separation of grade railway crossings, clearing of agriculture land, cheap loans for the construction of workmen’s homes, etc.,” is also recommended.

Contributory to the above, other social measures which indirectly help to cope with the unemployed situation should be advanced as rapidly as possible, the statement concludes.

“Among such are old age pensions, pensions for the blind, health and sickness insurance, apprenticeship acts, technical education, raising of the school leaving age, minimum wage laws, measures for the protection of women and children, in fact, practically all forms of social legislation which protect the health and safety of the worker and provide maintenance for those unable or incapable of earning their own living.”

This statement is signed by Tom Moore, Ottawa, and President of the Congress and the members of the executive. More power to them.

Owing to our isolated position, being on an island, has made our troubles less severe than those of other locals, yet our Brothers fail to appreciate their good luck and the attendance at meetings, in spite of the fact that I go around to each one that I can get in touch with and implore them with tears in my eyes not to forget that “tonight is meetin’ night” is mighty slim, and some of these gazaboes, I mean dear Brothers, have the gall to suggest that our business manager, Brother Reid, should come around after pay day and collect their dues. If it wasn’t for Brother Reid’s ability as a collector some of them who are working steady would be out of standing.

Shappy.



	Published in October 1931 - I.B.E.W. Journal L.U. No. 230 Victoria, B.C. Editor: Yesterday, September 21. the forty-seventh annual convention of the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada was opened in Vancouver, BC, and at the present time, when so many schemes are being brought forward for the alleviation of the great evil of unemployment it might be interesting to our members to learn something of the policies advocated by the Congress. The executive council states: “Labour has never claimed it is the duty of governments to paternalistically provide every man and woman with the necessities of life, but it does contend that for every normally fit man and woman there should be opportunity for employment at wages which will enable them to maintain a proper standard of living. If private enterprise fails in this respect, it does become the duty of governments to see that none is compelled either to starve or become paupers.” Labour seeks to secure action in three ways. 1) By provision of work to eliminate unemployment, failing which: 2) Provision of the necessities of life for the destitute and 3) Measures to cope with future unemployment in an organized manner and prevent its recurrence to the greatest possible degree. Labour’s policy briefly summarized: Progressive reduction of hours through the shorter workday and five-day week; strict enforcement of one day’s rest in seven; and the granting of holidays with pay to workers of all classes. Resistance to wage reductions so as to prevent lessening of the purchasing powers of the masses. Participation by the workers through their trade unions in the management of industry. Public ownership and control of public utilities to prevent stock-watering and other forms of over-capitalization of profiteering. Abolition of fee-charging employment offices and continued development of free employment bureaus. Unemployment Insurance The statement recommends also the establishment of a national system of unemployment insurance based on contributions from the state, employers and the employees, and “pending this, the joint participation of federal, provincial and municipal authorities in payment of direct relief to needy and destitute unemployed and their families, as was done in 1921 and again under the Federal Unemployment Relief Act of 1930.” “During times of trade depression work to be provided by federal, provincial and municipal authorities wherever possible by undertaking the erection and repair of public buildings, construction of highways, reforestation, separation of grade railway crossings, clearing of agriculture land, cheap loans for the construction of workmen’s homes, etc.,” is also recommended. Contributory to the above, other social measures which indirectly help to cope with the unemployed situation should be advanced as rapidly as possible, the statement concludes. “Among such are old age pensions, pensions for the blind, health and sickness insurance, apprenticeship acts, technical education, raising of the school leaving age, minimum wage laws, measures for the protection of women and children, in fact, practically all forms of social legislation which protect the health and safety of the worker and provide maintenance for those unable or incapable of earning their own living.” This statement is signed by Tom Moore, Ottawa, and President of the Congress and the members of the executive. More power to them. Owing to our isolated position, being on an island, has made our troubles less severe than those of other locals, yet our Brothers fail to appreciate their good luck and the attendance at meetings, in spite of the fact that I go around to each one that I can get in touch with and implore them with tears in my eyes not to forget that “tonight is meetin’ night” is mighty slim, and some of these gazaboes, I mean dear Brothers, have the gall to suggest that our business manager, Brother Reid, should come around after pay day and collect their dues. If it wasn’t for Brother Reid’s ability as a collector some of them who are working steady would be out of standing. Shappy.