TfieTS/herman
Representing the Organized Fishermen and Shore-workers of British Columbia
VOL. XIV. No. 34. (591)
VANCOUVER, B.C., NOVEMBER 4, 1952
* Price: 5 Cents
SPECIAL MEETING
ALL HERRING MEN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7
7:30 P.M.
FISHERMEN'S HALL
138 East Cordova
—By Courtesy Vancouver Province
ttg\VPBIVCf Tttff' The above picture was taken in September and it shows a section of the **-fm"*1'*-' Babine River in which a huge rock slide took place last year. The Babine is
a tributary of the Skeena and its sockeye run consists.of over half of the total Skeena catch. The slide discovered a year ago August, took a heavy toll of last year's run and this year resulted in possibly only a 50 percent escapement. There has been some criticism voiced by fishermen that emergency measures were not taken sooner this year to transport the salmon over the slide instead of proceeding with the full job of clearing. The slide has only been partially cleared even now, though work is proceeding. Total cost of clearing the River will be very high.
Possible Variations in Union Draft
Last week, The Fisherman published the new Union -proposed herring agreement under which a gross price per ton of herring would be paid by operators and this would in turn be divided on a set basis with a minimum monthly guarantee. In the proposed agreement is also a clause providing that a full share shall not be less than 1/15 of the gross price agreed on and if less shall be made up to this amount by the company when settlement is made. Following are some variations that could occur in rates per man per ton under the Union draft price and share agreement.
_' BASED ON $15.50 PRICE PER TON
A — 16 men B — 15 men C — 14 men to 1 seine to 1 seine to 1 seine Share Amt. Share Amt. Share Amt
Fisherman. Fisherman.. Fisherman..
_____ 1
___ 1
________ 1
Fisherman______.......______ 1
Fisherman.................... 1
Fisherman______________....._ 1
Fisherman....._____________ 1
—$1.03% 1 —$1.09% 1 —$1.16%
— 1.03% 1 — 1.09% 1 — 1.16%
— 1.03% 1 — 1.09% 1 — 1.16%
— 1.03% 1 — 1.09% 1 — 1.16%
— 1.03% 1 — 1.09% 1 — 1.16%
— 1.03% 1 — 1.09% 1 — 1.16%
— 1.03% 1 — 1.09% 1 — 1.16%
Fisherman..................... 1 — 1.03% 1 — 1.09% 1 — 1.16%
Tender-Skipper_______ 1 — 1.03% 1 — 1.09% 1 — 1.16%
Tender Engineer...... .95— .98% .95— 1.04 .95— 1.10%
Tender Mate..............90— .93 .90— .98% .90— 1.05
Tender 2nd Eng......._ .85— .88 .85— .93 .85— .99%
Tender Cook............_ .80— .82 .80— .88 .80— .93V4
Tender Deck.........80— .82 .80— .93 Vi
Tow-off Skipper.........
Tow-off Crew.....
.85—
.80— .82 .80— .82 .90— .93 .80— .82 TOTAL______________..... 15 —15.50
.90— .93 .80— .88 14.2 —15.50
13.3 —15.50
D — 13 men E - — 12 men F ■ — 8 men
to 1 seine to 1 seine to 1 seine
Share Amt. Share Amt. Share Amt.
1 —$1.24 1 —$1.32% 1 —$1.93%
1 — 1.24 1 — 1.32% 1 — 1.93%
1 — 1.24 1 — 1.32% 1 — 1.93%
1 — 1.24 1 — 1.32% 1 — 1.93%
1 — 1.24 1 — 1.32% 1 — 1.93%
1 — 1.24 1 — 1.32% 1 ' —' 1.93%
1 — 1.24 1 — 1.32% 1 — 1.93%
1 — 1.24 1 — 1.32% 1 — 1.93%
1 — 1.24 1 — 1.32%
.95— 1.18 .95— 1.26
.90— 1.11% .90— 1.19
.85— 1.05% .85— 1.12%
.80— .99
12.5 —15.50 11.7 —15.50 8 —15.50
BASED ON $18.00 PRICE PER TON
A — 16 men B — 15 men C — 14 men D — 13 men E — 12 men F — 8 men
Fisherman.......—
Fisherman........—
Fisherman...--------.......... 1
Fisherman ____________
Fisherman________
Fisherman_______
Fisherman-------------
Fisherman_______________
Tender-Skipper.....
Tender Engineer. Tender Mate . Tender 2nd Eng..
.Tender Cook.........
Tender Deck_________
Tow-off Skipper... Tow-off Crew........
to 1 seine to 1 seine to 1 seine to 1 seine to 1 seine to 1 seine
1 —$1.20 1 —$1,265 1 —$1.35 1 —$1.44 1 —$1.54 1 —$2.25
1 — 1.20 1 — 1.265 1 — 1.35 I — 1.44 1 — 1.54 1 — 2.25
1 — 1.20 1 — 1.265 1 — 1.35 1 — 1.44 1 — 1.54 1 — 2.25
1 — 1.20 1 — 1.265 1 — 1.35 1 — 1.44 1 — 1.54 1 — 2.25
1 — 1.20 1 — 1.265 1 — 1.35 1 — 1.44 1 — 1.54 1 — 2.25
1 — 1.20 1 — 1.265 1 — 1.35 1 — 1.44 1 — 1.54 1 — 2.25
1 — 1.20 1 — 1.265 1 — 1.35 1 — 1.44 1 — 1.54 1 — 2.25
1 — 1.20 1 — 1.265 1 — 1.35 1 — 1.44 1 — 1.54 1 — 2.25
1 — 1.20 1 — 1.265 1 — 1.35 1 — 1.44 1 — 1.54
.95— 1.14 .95— 1.205 .95— 1.28 .95— 1.368 .95— 1.46
.90— 1.08 .90— 1.145 .90— 1.22 .90— 1.296 .90— 1.38
.85— 1.02 .85— 1.08 .85— 1.16 .85— 1.223 .85— 1.30
.80— .96 .80— 1.02 .80— 1.10 .8C — 1.152
.80— .96 .80— 1.10
.90— 1.08 .90— 1.145
.80— .96 .80— 1.02
15 —18.00 14.2 —18.00 • 13.3 —18.00 12.5 —18.00 11.7 —18.00 8 —18.00
A—above is absolute minimum rate payable per man per ton.
B. C. D. & E.—above show what happens to rates per man per ton as the number of tendermen and/or tow-off men decrease.
F.—shows the rate per man per ton if a seiner should operate without any tow-off boats or tenders.
Herring Seine Skippers Meet
A special meeting of all herring seine skippers has been called for this Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Fishermen's Hall. All herring fishing skippers are urged to attend whether they are members of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union or the Vessel Owners Association.
You Get Everything At This Fun Frolic
There'll be a great time in the old town this Friday night at the Howden Ballroom, 1313 Granville Street and that's a promise. It's a big Fun Frolic with dancing, games, entertainment, and refreshments, a gala evening put on by the Streetrailway men's Entertainment Committee.
Tickets for the affair, at which you will meet fellow trade unionists by the score, are available (at only a dollar) in the office of The Fisherman, 301 Powell Street (George North) or at the Union Hall, 138 East Cordova Street (Ted
IMPORTANT MEETING!
STEVESTON FISHERMEN'S LOCAL
Friday, November 7, 8:00 p.m. Red Cross Hall, 3rd Ave., Steveston
Every Member Out
TULLOCH CANNERY GALS GAVE $42 TO STRIKERS
It seems that The Fisherman omitted a very important item when reporting on the contributions from various sections of .the fishing industry to the recent salmon net fishermen's strike. We mentioned the contribution of the fresh fish girls employed at Tul-loch Fisheries but neglected to report that the girls in the cannery contributed the healthy total e£ $42 to the same cause. The Strike Committee says "thank you".
Herring Fleet Solid For New Agreement
A new basis for an agreement in the herring fishery drafted by the UFAWU negotiating
committee has been endorsed by fishermen and tendermen and last Friday the fleet again took
the position of unanimously supporting the committee in "insisting on a new basis for the price
agreement." ^----1--■
made to the Soviet Union. 1 into the pockets of the fishermen
A meeting was held with ^he Fisheries Associatiori Monday at which the Union submitted a set of examples of how the "proposed setup would operate (some of them are printed elsewhere on this page). Representatives of the Association asked for time out to consider the new suggestion of a gross price for herring and after returning asked for a further meeting with the fleet on Wednesday.
The operators have made no change from their original offer of a price of $6.00 per ton to the fishermen which . would work out to 75c per man per ton. Last year, the herring fishermen received $8.28 per ton or $1.03% per man per ton. The operators' offer in respect to packer crews meant even greater reductions in certain cases.
The Union proposal would establish a gross price to be paid for the labor of catching and packing herring to the Company plants. The Union considers that in recent years there has been a constant drive to overload the industry with more gear and at the same time to cut costs at the expense of the men who catch and pack the fish.
Last year, even though Union members received a small increase in the price paid per man per ton and even though the total catch was at an all-time high, the majority of fishermen and tendermen took a cut in their take-home pay.
The Union believes that there is no need for market problems in respect to herring—providing the whole industry and the Federal and Provincial governments take the proper steps towards solving the problems that now exist. In a statement issued last week, it is pointed out that the first thing would be to recognize that complete dependence on the U.S. meal and oil market for disposal of herring is not in the best interests of the industry.
"While conditions for selling in this market are not as grim as the operators paint them, nevertheless there are definite dangers in existence," the Union declares "Herring meal—now selling at ceiling prices in the U.S. must compete with soya bean meal and many other feeder products. Herring Oil—the price of which is down to 7c lb. in the U.S., competes with whale oil—tallow and other oils. If a bigger percentage of herring were processed for direct human consumption, rather than for feed for livestock, we believe it would make for a more healthy, stable industry.
"Secondly, it will be necessary to open up trade with countries like China in order to provide a market for salted and canned herring. Before the last war, B.C. exported many thousands of tons of dry-salt herring to the countries of Asia. Last year, only 4,000 tons of herring were salted, most of which went to Hong Kong and Formosa.
"During the second World War, an extensive market was opened up for canned herring—most of which went to Great Britain, although some fairly large shipments were
Thirdly, the Fisheries Associa- and tendermen., In any case, we tion must realize that market prob- won't stand for it!" The Union lems will not be solved by dipping I statement concludes.
Net Fishermen Refuse Three Cent Coho Cut
Members of the Central Strike and Policy Committee of the UFAWU at a special meeting Saturday afternoon, considered a Fisheries Association proposal to cut coho prices to 10 cents a pound effective this month, and took the stand that no cohoe would be sold at less than the agreement price of 13 cents a pound.
Fishing companies this week, when told of the committee decision, said they would continue to pay 13 cents a pound but probably on a more selective basis.
According to the agreement, the companies have the right to reopen negotiations on the price of coho on November 1, but if no price can be agreed upon, they may refuse to accept any further coho.
The company argument in favor of cutting the price is based oh allegedly poor quality of the fish.
But the Union points out that though the same clause is in all agreements, Companies such as Western Fish and John Safarik have made no application for a change in coho price.
Most of the coho caught is still being shipped across the line and at any rate, the present catch is not very heavy.
The Union received notice last month from Queen Charlotte Fisheries, North Shore Packing, and J. H. Todd and Sons, that they intended to cease fall salmon operations effective this month.
Fraser Council Meets Friday
A special meeting of the Fraser River District Council has been called for this Friday, Nov. 7, at 2 o'clock in the Fishermen's Hall, 138 East Cordova Street.
■ Council secretary Pete Jenewein has specifically asked all Fraser River Locals to make certain they have their full representation at the meeting.
In addition, the secretary stressed the fact that ideas on what should be done for 1953 regarding opening dates, etc., should be brought to the meeting.
The International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission meets November 21 in Bellingham. On the agenda will be a review of 1952 spawning and also proposals for the 1953 season.
Well Known Fisherman Passes Suddenly Here
A very well known member of the B.C. fishing community passed away suddenly last Friday, October 31, in Vancouver. He was Ole Martin Olsen Baggen, a British Columbia fisherman for just over 40 years. <*> "
Mr. Baggen was born on April 25, 1896 in Kristiansund, Norway, but came to this country when still only a youngster.
He lived in Prince Rupert for a number of years, fishing halibut out of that port but more recently he lived in Vancouver. At one time he was a member of the Deep Sea Fishermen's Union but since coming to Vancouver, he has been a member of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union.
While serving out of Rupert, Mr. Baggen was for several years a skipper but up to the time of his death, he fished with Elias Wold for quite a long period of time on the "Waterfall." He fished halibut, salmon, and herring.
He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Martha Baggen, one brother, Ivor, in Seattle, sisters in Norway, and a daughter Elinor, 19, who is employed at Tees & Persse in Vancouver.
Funeral was to take place today, Tuesday, with Rev. H. C. Setre officiating. Pall bearers were to be Nils Johnsen, Bob Ekretn, Ross Hartlehol, Elias Wold, Odd Tunge-haug, and Rolf Syvertsen.
OLE BAGGEN Old-Time Fisherman Dies
Foort).
That is this Friday, November 7 with the fun getting under way at 8 o'clock in the evening.
LOCAL MEETING
Vancouver Fishermen
Wednesday, Nov. 12
7:30 P.M.
FISHERMEN'S HALL 138 East Cordova
Wandering Fisherman Returns
Elgin "Scotty" Neish, delegate to the Pacific Asian Conference on Peace and Trade held in Peking last month returned to Vancouver Monday brimming with enthusiasm at what he
saw in China and in other parts of the world during his two months' absence._
member of the UFAWU^
"Scotty: .
Board of trustees and vice president of the Union's Victoria Local did most of his travelling by air but nevertheless managed to see a lot of things.
He spent two days in Tientsin where" he had a first hand look at fishing being carried on there but that was only a small part of the trip.
Some of the demonstrations, the attitude of the people, their tremendous optimism and sincere friendliness convinced the travelling B.C. fishermen that the people of China know where they're going and they seem pretty happy with what is in store.
He- spoke with many Chinese leaders on the subject of trade and found a willingness to carry on business with Canada on a mutually advantageous basis. China now, he reported, has trade deals with a large number of countries, including Japan.
He had many stories to tell of his journey and much of the material
will be carried in future issues of The Fisherman.
But hearing "Scotty" tell the tale of his trip in person is to catch the overflowing spirit of the conference and of the country. He reports that any group, Union or otherwise, which wishes to 'hear
the story of the conference should get in touch with the B.C. Peace Committee at the Ray Building, 144 West Hastings Street in Vancouver. The committee is handling Scotty's itinerary and it is expected that he will have a very busy time these next few weeks.
ANNUAL FISHERMEN'S DANCE
. . . at . . .
' CLINTON HALL
2605 East Pender Street
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
8 to 12 p.m.
Fishermen's Union, Woodward's Slough Ijocal 11 F.O. Vancouver Branch
Music by . . . "The Melodairs'
Admission . . .
(incl. refreshments) $1.00
