TFieTiTherman
_Representing the Organized Fishermen and Shorewor\ers of British Columbia
Mm
Vol. XVI No. 40
VANCOUVER, B.C., DECEMBER 21. 1954
Price: 5 cents
Page 12 | Page 9 £
1
ON THE INSIDE
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Page 4
THE LAST INDIAN WAR .
JUNIOR WANTS TO KNOW
Tendermen's Welfare Plan Effective January First
Stevens Broadcasts Christmas Message
"Stormy Passage Can Lead to Calm Waters"
Homer Stevens, general secretary-treasurer of the UFAWU, was scheduled to deliver a Christmas message over the Fishermen's Broadcast on CBU on December 24.
Text of the broadcast statement follows:
"On behalf of the officers, staff and general executive board of the Union I would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year. The theme of this festive season is "peace on earth, goodwill toward all men." Deep down every normal human being is in accord with and fervently hopes for the day when peace and goodwill, are the main features of life everywhere in the world.
"In a world of strife and conflict we sometimes despair of ever reaching such a state in the affairs of mankind. Christmas and the beginning of a New Year is not a time for despair. Providing we resolve firmly to work for sensible
Union Drafts Brief Opposing Freezer Boats
The draft of a Union brief opposing the licensing of freezer boats in B.C. waters has been sent out to all Union locals by Homer Stevens, secretary-treasurer.
Prior to submission to the provincial department of fisheries it is desired that all Union members have the opportunity of expressing their views and participate fully in determining the policy of the Union on the issue.
With this object in mind the text of this draft and of the submission made to provincial fisheries minister, Mr. W. R. T. Chet-wynd, by the proponents of freezer boats, are printed in this issue of The Fisherman.
. The Fisherman was informed as we were going to press that Carl Ellison who, together with Jim Pope and G. A. Galloway arc pushing for the licensing of refrigeration vessels, has informed Mr. Chet-wynd that he wishes to go on record as being willing to delete the word "foreign registry" from his previous representations defining the type of refrigeration vessel for which licenses would be issued.
solutions to our problems we can regard the future with joy and confidence.
"The United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union has experienced a great variety of strife and conflict during the past year. Our members were forced to use the weapon of strike action on two occasions, and the Union was suspended by the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada. Our conflicts arose out of the needs of our members for an improved standard of living and better working conditions.
''When we were in difficulties we always relied on the unity of our members to win out. Our members are united around the idea of the greatest good for the greatest number. Above the stress and strain of conflict rose the feelings of brotherhood, of good will between the members of our Union.
RWe know peace and goodwill cannot thrive on poverty, unemployment and warfare. Our Union
therefore advocates higher living standards, full employment and peace between all nations.
"We have shown we are able and willing to make big sacrifices in ord.er to" obtain improvements.
"The future is. far from being clear of obstacles and extremely serious problems. Today, unem .ployment and the threat of war hang- like dark clouds over the people of Canada. But these clouds can give way to sunshine. The stormy passage can lead to calm waters.
"We can therefore make our firm resolution to' continue working hard for the most sensible solutions to our problems. We can do our share in the promotion of peace among the nations of the world. In this way we will be practising the theories . of the Prince of Peace and hastening the day when all men will be brothers.
"Once again, may you all enjoy a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
Alberni Fisherman Wins Salmon Pack Contest
Stuart Rhodes of 315 1st Ave. S. in Port Alberni is the winner of the $50- first prize in the Salmon Pack Guessing Contest for 1954.
With a prediction of 1,743,485 cases Mr. Rhodes was only 79 cases higher than the figure published by the department of fisheries in their final bulletin issued on December 8.
Mr. Rhodes is a troller and joined the UFAWU in 1953.
A consolation prize of $5 has been awarded to Linda Mackenzie of 648 Girard Ave., New Westminster who submitted a figure 2,809 cases below the 1,743,406 official pack result. A second consolation prize of $5 goes to A. O. Reeves of Deep Bay who was 3,328 cases too high.
Other contestants who came closest without gaining a prize were Mrs. Crangle, 2613 McKenzie St., Vancouver; Mrs. Edith Chappelle. 2938 Cedar Hill Rd., Victoria; Mrs. Mary Nicolich, 53 .7 Trunk Rd., Ladner; S. B. Armour, R.R. No. 1, Gibsons; Mrs. A. Ngal, 926 Caledonia Ave., Victoria; Alex Easton, 439 E. 6th, North Vancouver; T. Tanner, Sointula; Mickey Beagle, 317 Mercer St., New Westminster;
Although 1954 was not expected to be a big year except for sock-eye our contestants seemed to take an optimistic view. Considerably more entries were received higher than the final pack than below the official figure.
Don't be surprised if some year the first prize leaves the country. This year we received an entry to the contest from Sydney, Australia.
The Salmon Pack Guessing Contest is sponsored annually by The Fisherman, and we are already preparing new ideas for 1955.
George Clark Appointed As Fish Deputy
Interest in B.C. fishing circles has been aroused by the announcement of the appointment of George R. Clark as deputy fisheries minister.
Mr. Clark, assistant deputy fisheries minister since 1950 succeeds Stewart Bates to the $15,500-a-year appointment. Mr. Bates was recently named president of the government's Central Mortgage „and Housing Corporation - at a salary of $22,500.
A native of Montreal, Mr.Clark has been associated with the fishing industry on both Canadian coasts for more than 20 years before entering the government's service in 1948. He became well known in theMishing industry here during his period of service in an official capacity with the Canadian Fishing Co. Ltd.
He is Canadian commissioner on the International Whaling Commission and vice-chairman of the International Pacific Halibut Commission.
SHIPS LOST
LONDON: Thirty - three ships with a total tonnage of 40,100 tons were totally lost through casualty during the quater ending June 10, Lloyds register of shipping reported December 18.
Union, Company Offices Open for Enrollment
^The tendermen's Welfare Plan, provided by the 1954 Union agreement, becomes effective January 1, 1955. All tendermen at work on the effective date are eligible for enrollment immediately. Benefits become payable February 1, 1955 for those who enroll before January 1. Tendermen not at work on the date the Plan becomes effective will become eligible immediately upon their return to active employment and benefits will commence one month after date of enrollment. Tendermen hired
after January 1, 1955, will be eligible on the date they commence active full-time work and benefits will commence one month after date of enrollment. No medical examination is required.
Herring tendermen may enroll in the tendermen's Welfare Plan either at the Union Hall or at the offices of the fishing companies or at the offices of the fishing cooperatives. Word was received from the Fisheries Association on Friday that member companies were prepared to co-operate in the enrollment of herring tendermen. Attractive booklets' outlining the terms and benefits of the Plan have been printed and are available to tendermen at the places mentioned above.
Terms of the salmon tendermen's agreement provide that, beginning with 1955, the fishing companies will pay the sum of $5 per month per tenderman into the welfare plan. All salmon tendermen will be covered for benefits during the period they are employed. The benefit period may be extended beyond the term of salmon employment providing the individual tendermen are prepared to pay the necessary premiums.
The plan has been finalised with the New York Life Insurance Company, one of the largest firms in this field. The policy will provide $1,500 in life insurance plus a weekly sickness and ac'cident bene fit of $25 per week for a maximum of 13 weeks. The plan will be administered by a Board of Trustees elected by the tendermen, subject to the terms of the agreement between the insurance company and the Union.
Herring tendermen are requested to enroll in the Plan during the Christmas lay-up. The necessary deductions will be made put of their pre-Christmas settlement to cover original premiums. A further deduction will be made at time of final settlement at the end of the season. Final details on the amount of deductions will be discussed at a meeting between the Fisheries Association and the Union this week subject to approval of a membership meeting on Wednesday, December 22, at 2 p.m. The basis will be $5 per month during the working months and a lump sum payment of $10 to cover extended period of benefits after the season ends.
Salmon tendermen will not pay any premiums during the months they are at work since the fishing companies and co-ops will assume
this cost. By payment of $10 at the time of lay-off, salmon tender-men will be able to retain coverage for three months after the lay-off for sickness and accident benefit and for a period of four months for life insurance coverage.
The Union is urging all tender-men to take full advantage of this plan which has been established as a result of collective bargaining.
Herring Boats Not Cleared Are Listed
The Vancouver office of the United,, Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union has issued a special list of herring seiners, packers and tow-off boats that failed to get Union clearance from the office before leaving Vancouver.
Union members on delinquent vessels listed must assure clearances before sailing after the Christmas lay-up. Vessels listed as "partial" did not complete their clearance and are required to do so before leaving. All other boats listed failed to report.
The list of vessels not cleared by companies follows:'
A. B.C. PACKING CO.
Tenders: not cleared—Anna M, Reel Fisher, Mina C, Squamish Queen.
Tenders: Partial—Linda.
Tow-offs: not cleared — Howe Sound IV.
B. C. PACKERS
Seiners: Partial-^- Quadra Isle, Southisle, Vicisle, Westisle.
Tow-offs, not cleared— Limited, Soupfin.
Tow-offs: Partial—Barkley Sound. CANADIAN FISHING CO.
Seiners: Partial—Cape Chacon.
Tenders: not cleared—B.C. Clipper, Cape Pine, Cape Perry, Cape Palmerston, Pacific Laurel, San Juan.
Tow-offs: not cleared—Neptune
1.
NATIONAL FISH
Tenders: partial—Kalamalka.
Tow-offsr- not cleared—Neekis. NELSON BROS.
Seiners: not cleared—Sea Master.
Seiners: partial—Ribac.
Tenders: not cleared — Amlac, Western Breeze, Western Princess, Western Dispatcher.
Tenders: partial — Audrey B, Departure Bay 2, Western Cruiser.
Tow-offs: not cleared — Santa Rosa, Mitkof.
All herring boats not listed cleared before leaving port.
MEETING NOTICES
ALL HERRING FISHERMEN, TENRERMEN, TOW-OFFMEN
TURN OUT FOR
Annual Meeting
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28 — 2 P.M.
FISHERMEN'S HALL
BUSINESS:
• 1954 Report of Herring and Pilchard Welfare Fund.
• Election of Trustees.
• Proposed 5,000 ton herring quota for food purposes.
MEETING FOR
ALL TENDERMEN
Wed., December 22
2 p.m.
FISHERMEN'S HALL
Subject:
The New Welfare Plan.
* Whether or not you are presently working as a tender-man, please attend this meeting.
TOW-OFF SKIPPERS and CREW MEMBERS
Special Meeting
TUE., DECEMBER 28
10:30 .A.M. Subject: Crew Complements