Poge 2
THE FISHERMAN
December 16, 1953
THE FISHERMAN
g. NORTH—Editor — Phone: MArint 1829
Published Every Tuesday Except the Last Tuesday of Bach Month by The Fisherman Publishing Society, 301 Powell St., Vancouver, B.C.
Authorised a* Srcond-Clasa Mail by Post Office Department, Ottawa
UFAWU Will Weather Storms That Lie Ahead
FE YEAR just drawing to a close has seen B.C. fishermen and allied workers face a host of difficulties aimed at cutting their earnings and splitting their organisation. And while some price cuts were accepted in 1953. fishermen fought the good fight and kept their organisation intact while shoreworkers, for the most part emerged from last season with some wage increases and condition improvements. •
Last year opened on a bleak note. The industry was at a standstill. Herring fishermen, tendermen and those depending on them for employment, were idle. They were to lose their entire season because the operators insisted on thoroughly unjustified price cuts and refused to settle the dispute through arbitration.
The Ninth Annual UFAWU Convention opened amid a welter of outside speculation, in the dailies and over the radio, about changes "required" in the Union. Despite differences of opinion and disruptive efforts on the part of Jackson and Goddard who have since deserted to the SIU, the Union emerged with a solidly supported program.
The really vicious aspect of the attempts to split the UFAWU came into the open during the referendum election of Union officers when several thousand dollars were spent by outside "anonymous" sources in a further vain attempt to discredit the Union and its officers.
The ugly countenance of the B.C. Gillnetters Association came into full view as it, too, did all in its puny power to split the unity of salmon fishermen as they were about to enter price negotiations.
The Operators opened price talks with proposals for drastic cuts to fishermen and a hold-the-line policy on tendermen and shoreworker wages and conditions.
Every' effort was made by the Union in the face of this critical situation to develop unity with the Native Brotherhood and the Vessel Owners to protect the living standards of all those employed in the fishing industry. " On the other hand, the enemies of unity. Rolley with his Gillnetters Association, were fully exposed to the fishing fleet. Only through strike action were the fishermen able to held back the Companies' bid for exhorbitent price euH. Unity imthis nine-day tieup proved a major setback to the drive to lower living standards.
Reductions were finally accepted by the salmon fleet, but they were much lower than anything the operators had intended-
Shoreworkers and tendermen emerged from their bout with the canners holding aloft some gains in. wages together with certain key improvements in working conditions.
Then in July, the herring agreement was signed. The price settled upon marked a tremendous improvement over the top offer made by the companies during the previous winter and in itself was i a vindication of the position taken by the fleet in refusing to fish at \ bargain basement rates during the 1952-53 season.
By August 1, it was clear 'the UFAWU and its membership had j come through major tests of strength with flying colors. But a new \ attack was in the making and the past four months have seen this : latest thrust by the enemy, despite support from the mediums of
THfR# ONE IN EVERY OOTfIT/
COME. Ooe&e/T 6EIXMQ>
THE
sSQUlfZAAER
A NEW EMR-OVEE. WHO TeiES TO SQOIRAA HIS WAV OCT OF (JOINING
the onon
OP THAT
George Was Hero
Frank Nishi, owner of the gill-ne.tter "Gallant Lady" wishes to correct the report contained in The Fisherman about the fire which destroyed Jack McEachern's "Caroline B." on the Eraser River late last month.
It seems that George Murakima of the "Carol Lynn' was the fisherman who took Jack off the burning boat, not Frank. Frank was there, however, and helped fight the fire.
We found it impossible to contact Jack prior to our issue report-
A UNIVERSITY student was on his way to visit some friends during the summer vacation. The way led through a swamp.
"Say," he asked his elderly guide, "is it true that an alligator won't hurt you if you carry a torch?"
The guide thought a moment. I "Depends on how fast you carry it, I reckon."
* * *
"DO YOU MEAN to tell me you in^the accident going o press {. ^ ^
with the result we were forced to *
rely largely on daily press reports. Therein lay our mistake and the resultant error which appeared originally in the Vancouver Sun
in a considerably exaggerated form. Our apologies.
honest, and while the SIU probably knows this to be a fact, its leaders continue their name-calling. Like McCarthy, they figure the easiest way to undermine someone is to call him a "red." Well, SlU'ers, Lester Pearson, Truman and Ache-son are also proclaimed as "reds," so our officers are in big-time company.
We of the UFAWU, in any of our accusations, have always produced the facts. Here are some on the SIU:
May, 1947: Harry Lundeberg, SIU head, raids the Building Service Employees Union. The AFL, to
public information, fail just as miserably as those which preceded it. J which the SIU was and is affiliat-In mid-August came simultaneous announcements by the SIU of a' ed, opposed these raids against the planned raid on the UFAWU and a suspension order by the executive \ Building Service Union. So what of the TLC immediately following its annual convention in Ottawa. goes on now is nothing new for
This twofold attack ~»n the UFAWU. unwarranted and without ; Harry and his hypos, warning, was widely featured in the daily press and over the radio October, 1949: The SIU assisted stations. i in raiding and breaking the Marine
Grossly exaggerated claims by SIU lie peddlars were dutifully Engineers Beneficial Association given feature prominence as were attacks on trade unionism by j strike when they were negotiating officials of the TLC. with the Isbrandsen Line in New
Despite the optimism of anti-union publications, UFAWU mem- York. True to SIU standards — bers refused to throw away their organjsation and what it has won strike breaking, for them through their own efforts over the years. They rejected November/ 194o: Canadian ship-the press campaign, rejected their SIU 'savior with a gangster label, owners s(ated they wouId £e(iUCe and instead rallied to defend their own Canadian Union.
The Democratic policies of the UFAWU, its annual election of officers, annual convention, democratic representation, and rank and file decisions on all important issues were not to be thrown in the discard simply because Union busters and red-baiters told UFAWU members that was the thing to do. * Unity! Democracy! Autonomy! These were the principles, sym- j a(ja bolised by the UFAWU which the members fought to safeguard. Their defence of these principles lead.to the ignominious route of the SIU and its mob of hirelings.
As this year nears the end of its course, the fight for a strong UFAWU and the benefits it can win go on.
The new year will undoubtedly bring renewed attacks by. the well-financed SIU. The Trades and Labor Congress executive has given no indication that it will remove its undemocratic suspension order. The Fisheries Association, of course, has lost none of its desire to increase profits by cutting prices to fishermen, lowering wages and worsening the working conditions that cost money to maintain.
These are the facts that must be faced by all B.C. fishermen and allied workers.
But in their perspectives for the coming year, despite such obstacles, all groups of fishermen' and associated trades will strive to improve their lot. The struggle for decent living standards as demanded by the Union membership, will be continued in 1954 by the United Fishermen and Allied W#rkers Union.
The latest intensified attacks on the Union, despite their failure to date, indicate that 1954 will be a year of supreme test. The combined forces of the enemies of the UFAWU will seize on every opportunity to strike more blows at the organisation which advances the welfare of the fishermen, tendermen and shoreworkers.
But the membership of the Union have no reason to be dismayed by such a prospect. Unity, determination and ad he* • ence to democratic principles have enabled the Union to weather previous storms. Increasing unity, more determination, and democracy in action are the weapons which will ensure victory over the opponents of labor. We look ahead with confidence to the new year.
lines from
A UFAWU Organiser
By MIKE CANIC
I see the SIU in its slander sheet, the Canadian Slaver, pardon me, Canadian Sailor, is trying to justify raiding the UFAWU by as usual attempting to smear our Union and its officers.
Our officers are scrupulously
though his wife Dot may present him with an Xmas gift; well I hope it's a boy (good luck, kids). ★ ★ *
By PETER STROM
SANDEFJORD, Norway. November 7: The whaling fleet will soon be all gone to fish down south. Last one to go today was the factory ship "Kosmos 3" and the "Thors-havet."
Each ship carried a crew of around 540 men. The "Sir James Clark" and the "Thorshovdi" left around October 10 or 14. Nearly all vessels will be fishing with from 10 to 14 whale catchers and tugs for bringing in the fish to the factory ships.
* » •*
ALL NORWEGIAN FISHERMEN
fit for service are now enrolled for coastguard duty. Norway's coast-
stranger of the mother of two sets of triplets.
"Oh. no, sir," she replied coyly. "Sometimes we don't get any at all."
* * #
JACK: "Let's give the bride a shower."
John: "Count me in—I'll bring the soap.".
SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM THE NORTH SHORE TO ALL FISHERMEN
BISSET & GILSTEIN
Boat Builders of Distinction 1675 Front St. - North Vancouver Phone North 1*77Y-3
was in town; seems that the work isn't too plentiful around Campbell River.
* * * Met Alex Eyton in Steveston on Thursday. Alex sure is busy collecting dues from the members, so if you're behind, Alex^ will fix you up.
Jim Hooley from Campbell River line, including large Islands, measures about 12,000 miles which will require a lot of patrolling—32,000 motor vessels and 116.000 men. They will be ready in the event of war. They will be under naval command. Training is taken whenever spare time is had by the fishermen.
SATHER BOAT WORKS
Foot of Jardine St., Lulu Island New Westminster, B.C. Phone N.W. 2876-R3 BOAT BUILDING * REPAIR Eve. N.W. 4837L2 or 3199R L. Gundersen in charge
* * * j First report from the Antarctic
It is rumored that efforts of the j whaling came in from South Geor
their ships' crews by six men when the SIU signed its scab agreement, cutting workers out of jobs and conditions with the help of Hal Banks, an American who heads (by appointment) the SIU in Can-Wonder what Hal got out of that deal? Another perfect . example of SIU scabbing and raiding.
June, 1949: Perhaps Harry; Lundeberg can tell us what hap- j t^3 pened to Herb Beauchasne, Cana-1 dian cook aboard the "Arobec." His body was found in Wilmington Harbor in California. Seems he was very much a good union man. and not the SIU scab type, so maybe somebody got rid of him, eh. Harry?
Wonder how Hal Banks can explain the charge of $50 to Ernest Blanchette for a withdrawal card from the SIU when Ernes^ was only 'two months behind in his dues? That makes $25 per month for being in arrears (take note, boys). ,
Speaking of dues, here's a lineup on the SIU dues structure, and if you don't believe it, get a job where the SIU holds the reins: Initiation fee (includes
one month's dues) ........ $73
Dues (not including special assessments) ...... $ 4
SIU to organise the Salmon Can ners have met with little success We hear they've managed to sign only one member so far.
'ii^* * Jjt ¥;t ,* £
Jack O'Connor, book keeper at Nelson Bros, Fisheries, was out for a week fishing herring on the
"Western Girl" in Barkley Sound. Jack figures he'll stick to office work.
* ■ %
One of the Pacific Biological men j fi reports that the H. R. MacMillang Pulp Mill on Alberni Canal has 15 been polluting the area. And Mr. j S MacMillan is on the International § Salmon Commission. Tsk, Tskr jg
The fellows on the 'Western!* Flyer" were in Steveston with a \ S load of herring on Thursday. Seems they had some difficulties with the shares on herring. Well, boys, we'll try to get, it simplified and publicize it in The Fisherman.
gia in the Antarctic. The Chr. Salvesen Company of Leith Harbor, South Georgia Island, had 4(185 barrels of oil for the first two weeks of fishing (October 15 to 31). It is estimated that the output for the first two weeks this year (October 15 to 31) exceeded last year's output for the same period by 1,100 barrels.
I
Season's Greetings i
n
to the Fishermen of B.C. §
SEASON'S GREETINGS TO ALL FISHERMEN
THANKING YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS IN THE PAST YEAR
KANATA MARINE WAYS LTD.
Ft. Broughton St. Phone TA. 3829 Vancouver, B.C.
British American Oil Co. Ltd.
1
i« ^ ^ S« i« V« 'i^ i'
CHRISTMAS GREETING 8
t I f
i 8
X
i
t
i
CARDS
PERSONAL OR BUSINESS
s
A Grand A
Spiritual, humorous or s c e n 1 c— whatever you prefer in exciting Christmas cards, we have. Choose from our easy-to-scan albums.
Counter Values from •■........ 5c
printed Cards, 25 for #1.95
AS LASTINC GIFTS MAY WE SUGGEST
up up
• Fountain Pens—Desk Sets
• Desk Pads—Chair Cushions
• Ronson Lighters—Calendars
• Writing Cases—Brief Cases
• leather Wallets—Key Cases
• Globes—Ash Trays
• Bates Phone Index
• Boxed Writing Paper*
• Diaries—Albums
• Poker Chips—Chessmen
^jU/illson Stationery"
|lf-COMPANY—— LIMITED -
830 WEST PENDER STREET. VANCOUVER
BIXM'KS WEST OI GRANVILIE
PA.-213K
I «i
TOTAL ............................... $77
Compare that deal to the dues charged by a Union that works for its membership, the UFAWU:
Initiation fee....................... S5
Dues ...................................... $2
Boat Assessment ................ $1
TOTAL................................. $8
They only charge $69 more than we do.
* + *
When the SIU's newly acquired : traitor, John Jackson, was attempting to raid in Bella Coola, the boys asked him who would pay for all this raiding and Mr. SIU replied, "Our new members." Needless to say, the fink made his usual headway.
a* a* 6. After campaigning the last five years for trade with all countries, I we were criticized at every step' as being reds for taking this position. Well, it seems rather funny now, as Ken Eraser from Imperial was in the old country drumming up-barter trade. Do you suppose that he has become a red?
* * *
Was in to see Tom Oreskovich,
member of the Vancouver Fishermen's Local, in the hospital. Tom ; seems to be doing well. Looks as
Extending Best Wishes for a
Merry Christmas
and a
Prosperous Co-operative New Year
TO ALL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF OUR AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
I Prince Rupert Fishermen's Co-operative Association i Fishermen's Co-operative Association I . Massett Co-operative Association
Fishermen's Co-operative Federation
Producers of
(hallenser Brand Salmon
and
Hy-Wave Brand Fresh and Frozen Fish Products
2195 Commissioner St.. Voncouver. B.C.
HAstings 2960