Industry Votes Strike for Contracts, Hikes
apy, $3.50 a year
g^M Price 10c per copy
nie n/herman
Representing the Organised Fishermen and Shoreworkers of British Columbia
Committees Will Set Deadli
ine
VOL.* XXI. No. 21
VANCOUVER, B.C., JUNE 26, 1959
Now Isn't That
Coincidence!
Companies Post Prices, Fishermen Want to Bargain
Fishing companies last week on the eve of salmon net fishing operations getting under way, posted a set of salmon prices (all essentially identical) in plants and camps along the BC coast.
In all cases, the day to day, non-negotiated prices issued by member companies of the Fisheries Association are above those paid last season but they are also below prices asked by organised fishermen for the current season.
Companies have listed the main species at 31 cents sockeye, 20 cents coho, 10 cents pinks, and eight cents per pound for chums.
Last year's prices were 28 cents sockeye, 16 cents coho, 9V4 cents
pinks and 7% cents chums.
Fishermen are asking 32 cents
for sockeye, 24 cents coho, 13
cents pinks, and a flat 12 cents
per pound for chums.
The membership of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union, a release pointed out, "are not so foolish as to be taken in by a shell game.
"The Association's postings from time to time is like the huckster at a gayway with a 'now you see it, now you don't' routine.
"Before there was a strong union, the companies always 'announced prices from time to time'. Starting the season and ending the season the prices differed greatly. Whenever a decent run appeared, the prices were slashed and the fishermen
were powerless to defend themselves.
"Our Union members want no return to the conditions of the hungry thirties. Our Union is determined to maintain free collective bargaining."
The Union membership is voting solidly to maintain signed contracts and an improvement in the prices and conditions they cover.
"Our minimum prices on a full season basis, our welfare plans, our weighing conditions, our share division agreements, and eventually our Workmen's Compensation and Unemployment Insurance coverage are all at stake," the Union declared.
UFAWU members have made it clear they are prepared to back this stand with strike.
West Coast Coho 22 Cents, Moderate Catch Reported
Although prices of 34 to 36 cents a pound were being paid last week for direct landings of troll caught coho at Vancouver, the price on the west coast remained at 22 cents, with 22-28 cents being paid at Gulf of Georgia camps. At this time last year the price for coho was 18 cents, rising to 22 cents in the first week of July. Direct landings accounted for
only 1,200 pounds of the 133,000 pounds of coho delivered at Vancouver last week. Another 70,000 pounds were delivered at Steves-ton.
Landings of mixed spring salmon at Vancouver were up last week, 328,000 pounds as compared to 223,000' pounds the previous week, but prices were down a cent or two in all categories.
For direct landings of 1,600 pounds, fishermen were receiving 54-58 cents for large reds, down from 59-60 cents two weeks earlier; 40-44 cents for medium, down from 40-45 cents; and 32-34 cents for small, down from 30-35 cents. Large whites were bringing 37^42 cents, down from 44-45 cents, and small whites 25-28 cents, down from 30-36 cents.
Gillnet fishing on the Fraser continued to be good last week, a total of 90,000 pounds of red spring at 35-36 cents and 13,000 pounds of white spring at 20-22 cents being landed at Steveston.
At west coast camps, prices of troll caught springs dropped to
lor medium and 22 cents for small. Prices for whites were down to 30 cents for large and 20 cents for medium and small.
Last week's halibut landings at Vancouver, Steveston and Victoria were four times those of the previous week, 930,000 pounds as against 214,000 pounds. Eleven halibut vessels sold 790,000 pounds in Vancouver and two vessels sold 40,000 pounds in Victoria. Another 90,000 pounds were delivered at Steveston.
Prices paid were 12-15.5 cents for chix, 19.7-22 cents for medium, and 19.8-21.6 cents for large.
A total of 310,000 pounds of sole at 5-9 cents a pound headed landings of other bottom fish. Other landings were: ling cod, 142,000 pounds at 12-13 cents for live caught and 9-10 cents for trawl caught; grey cod, 86,000 pounds at
6 cents; red and rock cod, 73,000 pounds at 6-10 cents; ocean perch, 72,000 pounds. Mink feed deliveries were 17,000 pounds at 2.5-3 cents.
Shrimp meat deliveries at Vancouver last week were 1,400 pounds, the same as the previous week, with the price slightly higher at $1 to $1.10 a pound. Small quantities of prawns were sold at 45 cents a pound.
Crab deliveries, mostly in Vancouver, continued to increase, 900 dozen in the shell bringing prices ranging from $2.25 to $3, with 570 pounds of meat being sold at $1 a pound.
Smelt landings totalled 12,000 pounds at 8-15 cents a pound.
PRINCE RUPERT
Landings of halibut at Prince Rupert last week showed a consid-
See PRICES—Page 3
A strike deadline after which all salmon net fishermen, shoreworkers, and tendermen will walk off their jobs unless all agreements are settled and signed, will be announced one week before it takes place.
And the date, which will be fixed by the joint negotiating committees of the three groups, will fall between July 15 and August 15, very likely closest to the mid-July date.
All groups have so far voted strongly 'for strike and will all be out at the same time on the basis oi "one strike—one settlement." A government supervised strike vote among tendermen and shoreworkers may be requested by canners, thus forcing a delay in calling a legal strike.
Strike plans are proceeding full speed ahead with election of local strike committees and other preparations.
HERRING MEN ON STRIKE
Herring fishermen are already on strike and have voted to remain tied up until an agreement has been signed.
At least one company, Nelson Bros, has posted a $13 per ton landed price for herring but is finding no takers.
Union members are demanding $14.25 per ton for reduction herring and $20 per ton for herring used in canning, salting and other forms.
Herring fishermen also want a pension plan with the companies contributing five percent of payroll and the men paying five percent of earnings.
This is the basic payment sought by shoreworkers but companies want the workers to pay the biggest share of the costs (five percent as against half that amount by canners) and set up the plan to exclude more than 90 percent of the workers.
Last year's strike deadline, in view of the Adams River run, was set considerably later than it is anticipated will be the case this season. The 1958 deadline of August 9 came and companies settled without a strike after holding out for a series of price cuts.
A red herring was dragged into the situation last week when Fisheries Association spokesmen said the Combines probe had been launched by fishermen who were dissatisfied with the "Communist, leadership" of the Union.
Replying to the charge, Union secretary Homer Stevens said "The Fisheries Association exposed their hand when they broke off collective bargaining using the opinions of one man as an excuse. It was only a matter of time until they stooped to the usual level of red baiting. This time worn method of union busting is rather pitiful. Union members have always rejected this and will prove it again on the picket line in 1959.
"The only real issue is the right of fishermen to organise, to bargain collectively and to take strike action to defend and improve their agreements. Fishermen have struggled since 1893 to achieve these rights and will not go back 66 years regardless of the misuse of the Combines ,Act or the foul red baiting spread by the big canners."
HOMER STEVENS
Stevens, Sinclair Debate on TV
A debate between UFAWU secretary Homer Stevens and Fisheries Association president James Sinclair will take place on CBC television next week.
The debate will take place on the 7 O'clock Show but the date is uncertain. It will be either Monday, June 29, Tuesday, June 30, or Wednesday, July 1.
The discussion will centre around the Combines investigation and allegations by the director against the Union which companies have used to discontinue price negotiations.
Vote Strike, IWA Calls
Maintaining that "industry was never in better shape to pay the wage increase demanded," the IWA regional policy committee, through press statements and paid newspaper advertisements, this week called upon its 30,000 members to back the Union's own 95 percent strike vote with an equally decisive government-supervised strike vote.
"A sweeping 'Yes' vote on Friday, June 26, is now the only means by which proper attention may be secured for the legitimate demands of coast lumber workers," the policy committee declared in a statement inserted as a paid advertisement in Vancouver dailies this week. "Employer-dominated conciliation results have sidetracked consideration of employees' welfare."
Noting that the employers' wage offer would provide an average increase of only four cents an hour over a three-year period, the statement asserts, "Skilled workers in the lumber industry, which produces 50 percent of the province's wealth, should not be forced to accept lower wages than those paid for comparable work."
The lumber industry, it contends, has never been in a better position to meet the Union's wage demands.
"Production is up to full capacity. Shipments are greater than previously. Order files are the highest recorded. Prices have risen on an average of 25 percent. Output per man hour has increased— fewer men produce more lumber. If the employers will not deal fairly with their employees this year, it means that they never intend to do so."
All Sections Take Stand In Ballot
Tendermen with their vot-I ihg almost complete at press time Thursday night, had voted by 90.3 percent to reject a conciliation board majority award proposing a two year agreement with a two percent increase in wages each year of the contract.
Shoreworkers are voting at least as strongly from early reports reaching The Fisherman. The fishermen's vote, from incomplete returns made available Thursday, was going overwhelmingly in favor of strike to win signed contracts with better prices. The . vote was slightly more than 97 percent for tie-up. All voting, conducted by secret ballot, has been going on simultaneously at all major fishing points on the coast, at plants and camps, at local meetings and in many cases, joint meetings between members of the Union and Native Brotherhood of BC.
A government supervised strike vote now appears likely with overwhelming rejection by shoreworkers and tendermen, of the proposal for two percent in each of two years, a few minor gains, and in the case of shoreworkers, major losses in the form of higher board rates, unpaid callouts, and speedup.
The vote will take place if the Fisheries Association requests it but the request must be made by the end of June. The Labor Relations Act provides that either party has 18 clear days to accept or reject a conciliation board award and request a government supervised strike vote. If the companies do not apply for the vote among employees, the Union ballot rejecting the award will be considered the official strike vote.
CONDUCT OF VOTE
If a government supervised strike vote is ordered, it will be on "Are you in favor of striking?" Those favoring strike to back up their demands will vote "YES."
In the Union vote just completed, those voting to reject the award
See STRIKE—Page 3
Attend
your union meetings/
AUXILIARIES BACK UNION FIGHT
Members of the Women's Auxiliaries will do "whatever we are called on to do" in support of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union fight to win price agreements and defeat the attack under the Combines Investigation Act, Mrs. Helen Seines, secretary of the Central Council of the Women's Auxiliaries to the UFAWU, pledged in a letter to Union secretary Homer Stevens this week.
"At our Council executive meeting on June 15, I was instructed to write and let the
Members Study Dues Hike
44 cents for large reds, 32 cents ^ |l| * # ' I'
F»gH VRICES For New Fishermen s Hall
Union members know the Women's Auxiliaries are prepared to stand behind the Union members in whatever action they consider necessary," Mrs. Seines wrote.
"We certainly hope a strike will not be called this year but if it is, the ladies will do whatever we are called on to do."
TENDERMEN
On Call by Committee
Steveston Shoreworkers
Monday, June 29 8 p.m.
Community Hall - Steveston • Report on Strike Ballot
Herring, Salmon Fishermen
Thursday, July 2 7:30 p.m.
Union Hall.. 138 E. Cordova
SEATTLE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
SPRINGS
Large red _________....._..... lb. 62-66V2C
Medium red ___________....... lb. 46-48c
Small red lb. 33-35c
All whites lb. 31-35c
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
HALIBUT Chix lb. 17.5c
Medium lb. 22.1-22.5c
Large lb. 23c
VANCOUVER
WEEK ENDING JUNE 20
SPRINGS
Large red lb. 54-58c
Medium red lb. 40-44c
Small red lb. 32-34c
Large white lb. 37-42c
Small white lb. 25-28c THURSDAY, JUNE 25
HALIBUT
Chix ...... lb. 12c
Medium . lb. 20.2c
Large lb. 20.2c
PRINCE RUPERT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24 Chix lb. 12-14c
Medium lb. 20.5c
Large ............ lb. 20.5'-20.6c
Members of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers are voting on a dues increase of 50 cents per month across the board to to finance a new Fisherman's Hall at 138 East Cordova Street, Vancouver. Vancouver Shoreworkers Local
at its biggest meeting of the year last Thursday, voted unanimously to support the proposed dues hike. Locals voting in this manner are in effect instructing their delegates to the 1960 convention to back a special resolution increasing the dues following next year's convention.
Deadline for locals to take a position on this issue is July 1 after which the Union's general executive board will decide what action it will take on the new building.
Authority to proceed on construction of a new two storey building was given by this year's convention and the general executive board has taken steps to implement the recommendation.
Architects are preparing a full set of working drawings and specifications^ and tenders will be called as soon as they are completed.
The board will study the bids and make its decision on whether
to proceed and on what scale by mid-August. Actual construction of the building, which will include
PLAY PONIES, EAT TURKEY
BY NICK SPILCHEN
The Delta Hockey Association of which the Ladner Local, UFAWU 's a member is holding a turkey barbecue on July 1. All proceeds of this venture will go to buy equipment and practice time for kids who otherwise would not have the opportunity to learn the game.
We are now building a huge barbecue pit at the Centennial Beach in Boundary Bay, and the committee has put a lot of effort into making this a big success.
There are harness races at Patterson Park in Ladner during the day, so all those people watching the ponies need not rush home for supper as we will
the present auditorium enlarged and modernised, is expected to take about six months and cost about $180,000.
The new structure will house the Union offices on the top floor and other organisations connected with the fishing industry on the mezzanine. The present hall will be retained and the building will cover an additional 25 feet to the west.
Financing will be done from general Union funds and other monies directly available to the Union. Balance will be borrowed.
The proposed dues increase will be earmarked in its entirety for the building fund and will be used to retire loans made during current financing.
All operating costs will be met from general funds and revenues from rentals.
The Fisherman will be renting be serving the biggest and hot- i space in the new building when it test turkey dish you ever saw. is completed.
"This could be a coincidence, but it appears to be a calculated policy," said Liden. "While there are
Blueback Price Goes Up When Fish Aren't Around
Within a period of 72 hours last week, the price of blue-backs at Westview climbed from 22 cents offered when fishing opened on the Monday morning to 28 cents posted on the Wednesday evening, UFAWU organiser Carl Liden reported this week. <e>——-
very few bluebacks the company raises the price, but now that fishermen are catching some medium reds the company cuts the price from 37 to 32 cents." .
Both bluebacks and large reds are reported to be scarce, but some medium and small reds are being taken.
Prices posted at Carlyle's camps on Thursday morning last week were: Blueback, 28 cents, up from 22 cents; large red (12M> pounds and over), 45 cents, up from 44 cents; medium red (8-12 pounds), 32 cents, down from 37 cents; small red (4-8 pounds), 22 cents, down from 24 cents; tiny red (2M>-4 pounds). 18 cents, down from 24 cents; large white (12% pounds and over l, 32 cents, down from 37 cents; small white (4-12 pounds), 20 cents, down from 22 cents; tiny white (2^-4 pounds) 18 cents, down from 22 cents.
Classification for large whites, previously 10 pounds and over, has been raised to 12V2 pounds and over. The tiny classification for both reds and whites has just been created. Previously all whites under the medium weight were classified as small.
MacDonald Studies Union Requests
Director of investigation and research T. D. MacDonald has written the United Fishermen and Allied Workers to say he is studying the series of requests and questions put to him by the Union in a recent letter.
The Union had asked for all relevant documents on which the director had based his allegations that the Union was a combine and full transcripts of all hearings involving witnesses other than those from the Union.
In addition, the Union had asked a postponement of hearings from a proposed October 19 date to "at least six months" after receiving all requested material. In view of the director's repeated reference to protecting the "public interest" the Union has also asked that all hearings be made open to the public.