The United Worker

August 1949 Page 6

Who's Kiddin' Who?

At the March 1949 meeting of the Paper Makers Local 360 the members voted: 90.1 percent for the Sunday shutdown of ALL paper machines 60 percent for the 40 hour work week 70.3 percent for NO over time in 1949 95.7 percent for bargaining rights to be secured on the Townsite

The members of this union have continuously voted against the operation of paper machines on Sundays. Still, year after year we are sold down the river on a few paltry excuses and a lack of support from the right sources.

The members by a substantial majority have ALWAYS favoured the "shorter work week" in line with the principles of Organized labor. We get no action on the 40 hour week. We even become a party to securing an exemption on the 44 hour law.

August 1949 Page 8

A Local Problem

I had heard a lot of stories about company towns before I came here and to tell you the truth they made me feel a bit jittery about coming to Ocean Falls. Upon arrival I went to the hotel (the old one) and for 45 cents ate all I could stuff in me. That afternoon as I basked in the sunshine and gazed at the natural beauty of the little valley I felt as though I had made a wise move in coming to this pleasant spot.

I have spent the past seven years trying to convince myself that my judgement was sound. What is wrong with Ocean Falls? Whys do people feel different here than they do in other places? Why is there so much discontent and unrest? There is the rain of course; however, after one becomes more or less acclimatized, you just take the rain for granted. The weather is not our major problem here.

On the mill side there does not seem to be too much discontent. The unions and management in most instances settle their differences amiably and by and large we consider working conditions in the mill compare favourably with other industries.

The lager majority of discontent in Ocean Falls stems from the Townsite. In other words living conditions not working conditions are the cause of most of our trouble.

If you want to buy a cup of coffee you must go the Martin Bunk-house Coffee Shop (it's the only one in town). To be able to go to "Charlie's Hamburger Joint" would be a real blessing to the people of this town. The only alternative the single man has is to make his own on a hot plate smuggled into his room.

We have one store. You can purchase almost anything you want - it you are willing to pay the price.

I could go on and elaborate on many things such as the hour that noise and radio must cease in bunkhouses, the type of motor vehicles which may travel in the streets, whether a certain corner should or should not have a lamp post on it; etc., etc. but I would only be repeating what I have already said.

The point I wish to make is that the individuals of a community must have an opportunity to take root and have a personal stake in that community or it can never hope to be stable or enduring.

Swimmers Click

Once again Ocean Falls Swimmers head the news. Leading with husky Allan Gilchrist, Leo and Jim Portelance the entire local team has literally swept the Provincial and Dominion waters.

Page 9

First Aid to the Injured

During one of his latest visits to Ocean Falls, Mr. Paul Cooper, President of Pacific Mills Limited, voiced his surprise that the company was not represented at the BC Pulp and Paper First Aid Competition held in Vancouver in February 1949.

We are in agreement with Mr. Cooper. Part of the reason was due to the fact that the last Instructor Mr. Pat Langdon passed away last year when the first aid courses were about to start. Important activities like this should never be too much identified with one person.

We have been informed that Mr. A. (Bert) Cram, Sr. will be the First Aid Instructor. Old timers, such as Bill Dellar, Lloyd Garrod and others will no doubt give Bert all their support. Bert has been a First Aid Attendant for quite a number of years and should be well qualified to give instruction.

Courses start in the middle of August. The St. John's Handbook will be used. After the elementary course the Industrial course will be given. Teams will be formed which will practice and compete against one another until the middle of February, when the best men will represent the Company at the Provincial Competition.

All costs of books, material and instruction will be borne by the company.


August 1949 Page 10

Stork Club

Mr. & Mrs. C.B. Dennis girl July 7
Mr. & Mrs. H. Wonnacott boy July 8
Mr. & Mrs. P.J. Kennedy girl July 13
Mr. & Mrs. L.C. Garrod girl July 14
Mr. & Mrs. L Tuson boy July 21
Mr. & Mrs. P Flocko boy July 31