June 17, 1960
THE FISHERMAN
Page 5
BRIEF OF 1958 RECALLED
Union Policy on Herring Remarkably Consistent
AT PRESENT, only about 250 fishermen, tendermen and tow-off men are working. The other 750 out of a potential of 1,000 are not working owing to a dispute with the Fisheries Association of BC over rates of pay and working conditions. The herring season runs from May 1 to March 10 each year. Up to January 25, 1958, the current season has yielded only 65,197 tons of herring compared to 121,730 tons to the same date one year ago.
The Fisheries Association proposed, in October 1957 to slash the rates paid to fishermen, tendermen and tow-off men for landing a ton of herring at their plants by 27% percent (i.e. to $9.60 per ton compared to $13.25 in the previous agreement). After three months of bargaining, with their fleets tied up, the companies' last offer was still a cut of 12 percent (i.e. $11.65 per ton landed). These rates are for herring used for reduction into meal and oil.
Union members have offered to accept a cut of six percent (i.e. $12.50 per ton) and in fact have signed one reduction agreement on these terms with one company, National Packing Co. Ltd.—John C. Jackson Ltd., which is not a member of the Fisheries Association of BC. The Union members see no valid reason why they should get paid less wages when the cost of living is at an all time high and most workers are obtaining wage increases.
Our decision to offer a six percent cut in earnings was reluctantly made in a desperate effort to avoid loss of a season.
No Further Concessions
Our members have resolutely refused any further concessions in terms of rates of pay. May we point out that $12.50 per ton landed provides a minimum rate of $1 per man per ton. As long ago as 1951, our agreement provided $1.03% per man per ton or a minimum cost to companies of $12.93% per ton. Thus, you can plainly see our members have not kept pace with rising living costs or comparative wages . . . despite loss of two entire winter seasons (1952-53 and 1957-58* over attempts by the companies to force our pay below the level of 1947.
May we point out that in terms of total herring production, the amount used for reduction to meal and oil is very great. The following statistics will give a clear picture.
sociation signed a memorandum permitting continuation of^ fishing for herring used for food purposes. One of the important factors contributing to this was the receipt of orders for approximately 2,000 tons of dry salt herring from China.
You may be surprised to learn that the herring industry was originally founded on the dry salt market. At one time, 62,500 green tons of herring were salted and there were laws in effect prohibiting reduction for meal and oil. The Report of the Commissioner of Fisheries for the Province of British Columbia for the year ended December 31, 1935 states in part:
"The salt herring industry in recent years has been experiencing an exceedingly difficult time.  The finished product is all exported to the Orient, principally China. Due to the chaotic conditions obtaining in China, the production of salt herring has fallen from a high of approximately 50,000 tons per season to a low in 1935 of 15,000 tons".  (Note: 50,000 tons dry salted would equal approximately 62,500 green tons). The Report continues: "Herring were permitted to be reduced to meal and oil to a limited extent in 1935. Licences to operate herring reduction plants on the west coast of Vancouver Island were issued by the provincial department of fisheries on agreement with the operators that the total amount was to be limited to a definite quantity" (25,000 tons).
Big Canned Herring Market Lost
A review of recent years indicates that we also lost a large market for canned herring. The following statistics are taken from the department of fisheries annual reports:
HERRING PRODUCTION — 1945- 1956 (Green tons) Reduction Salted
_______.......______ 71,368 -
46,536
_________________________ 64,680
_________________........ 166.166
CANNED HERRING PACK
Cases
1941 _____________________ 1,013,329
1942 ________________________...... 1,540,918
1943 _......___________________ 1.372.775
1944 ..........._______ 1,130,527
1945 ........-....._________ 1,372,614
1946 ........__________________ 1,317,707
1947 ....._____________ 1,411,636
1948................. 408,700
FROM 1941 TO 1956
1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956
Cases 78,000 61,251 163,559 552 71,196 4,777 30,813 11,728
Year
1945....................._.......
1946.................______________
1947................________________
1948 .... _________________________
1949 .... _________________________ 159.088
1950 _____________________________________ 181,841
1951 ______________________............... 169,631
1952 ____________...... 87.460
1953.................................. 129,899
1954 .....________.....____________________ 170,858
1955.................................. 150,755
1956 ________........________________........ 240,111
* Mostly canned.
5,424 3,966 475 3,750 5,797 6,301 4,707 3,786 1,815 493 19
Other
57,459* 54,223* 59,520* 41,842* 9,425 11,145 6,784 2,581 15,435 7,808 1,598 5,568
Total Catch 128,827 106,183 128,166 208,483 172,263 198,783 182,716 94,748 149,120 180,481 152,846 245,698
Market Value Market Value    per Ton Total
Food Herring Price Set at $16 Ton
Our members have received a rate of $16 per ton landed, or a minimum of $1.28 per man per ton for all herring that is canned, salted or otherwise used for human consumption.
Even during the current dispute, the Union and Fisheries As-
Thus you can see we have practically lost our previous market for canned herring.
The general effect of the loss of our markets for canning and salting on the market value of the herring may be shown as follows: Total
Production   CANNED SALTED Green Tons      Cases Tons
1945.............. 128,827 1,372,614 -
1946 106,183     1,317,707 5424
1947 ....    128,166     1,411,636 3966
1948.................. 208,483       408,700 475
1949 _ ______________ 172,263 78,000 3750
1950 198,783 61,251 5797
1951 182,716        163,559 6301
1952 94,748 552 4707
1953 ........._________ 149,120 71,196 3786
1954 ................ ....  180,481 4,777 1815
1955 ............_......       152,846 30,813 493
1956 ______________________ 245,698 11,728 19
More than two years ago, on February 11, 1958, a six member delegation from the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union presented an extensive brief to the BC Legislature's select standing committee on labor. Copies were also sent to all BC members of parliament, and fisheries department officials. Most of the herring fleet was tied up at the time of the presentation in face of an attempt by the Fisheries Association to slash prices. Thus, one of the issues raised by the Union was the herring situation and the contradiction of producing a top quality protein food and utilising it for reduction to meal, oil and fertiliser. The Union policy on this matter has remained remarkably consistent over the years, as this excerpt from the 1958 brief clearly indicates.
higher and if a larger proportion were canned or salted the difference between earnings as compared with reduction could run to 50 percent.
[ Herring, when canned, salted, smoked, pickled, or otherwise used as a food provide much more employment in shore plants and allied trades. We would estimate about double the employment when herring are salted and possibly three or four times as many workers are employed when herring are canned rather than reduced to meal and oil. Incidentally, the offal, heads and tails must still be disposed of; therefore, a canning operation also provides work in reduction plants.
I Complete reliance on the meal and oil market has been harmful to the general health and stability of the herring fishing industry and likewise has been damaging to the economy of BC. There have been two occasions when almost entire winter seasons have been lost. The lack of a balanced market has been a contributing factor to these lengthy disputes.
I Herring meal and oil is sold almost entirely in the United States market. This reliance on one major outlet is like having all our eggs in one basket. Development of alternative markets for can-
$ 8,423,136 9,574,643
12,100,330
10,485,090 9,412,800 9,313,500
10,639,700 4,235,200 6,518,500 7,339,900 7,635,600
10,660,500
of Herring $65.50 90.10 94.20 50.25 54.60 46.90 58.30 44.60 43.70 40.60 50.00 43.50
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Food Herring Provides Top Income
We wish to stress the following points: i   Herring, when canned, salted or otherwise used for food brings a much greater dollar value to the economy of our province than when reduced for meal and oil. Comparative figures are as follows:
One ton of green herring canned — market value — $250. One ton of green herring salted — market value — $125. One ton of green herring reduction — market value — $42.
O Herring, when used for human consumption provides higher earn-ings for the fishermen, tendermen and tow-off men who catch and deliver them to the processing plants. Rates are at least 20 percent
See HERRING POLICY — Page 6
New Soinfula Auxiliary Elects First Executive
By CHARLOTTE AHOLA Sointula WA  Press Chairman
The Sointula Women's Auxiliary to aid the fishermen, has started out with a very encouraging group.
Ada Christiansen, Auxiliary Central Council organiser, attended our opening meeting held on May 18 in the Finnish Organisation Hall, and was most interesting and very enthusiastic in helping us get started with our Auxiliary.
An executive committee was formed the same evening, with the following sisters chosen:
Aili Anderson, president; Ella Mackie, vice president; Marge Kiis-kila, secretary; Phyllis Michelson, tieasurer; Charlotte Ahola, press chairman; membership officers: Olga Lansdowne, Jean Lawrence, Helen .Anderson.
An executive meeting was held on June 1 at the home of Helen Anderson. There was a very pleasing and lively discussion about plans for raising funds to further the WA activities.
On June 8 a meeting took place at the FO Hall where a social committee was elected as follows: Bunny Souch and Jean Hinton.
This successful turnout developed into plans for holding a White Elephant and Home Baking Sale on June 22 at 3 p.m. in the coffee room of the FO Hall.
Next general meeting is to be held on July 20 at the Finnish Organisation Hall, Sointula, BC. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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