llfllrf.TTti TilllO——Tnese fishermen are enjoying a mug-up aboard the "Bessie Mac" before c9 ^tr heading off to the fishing grounds for the tough halibut season. The fellows are, from the left, Rolf Syvertsen, engineer; John Jacobsen, Union delegate; Nels Jacobsen, skipper. We can't say the boys are having a spot of tea even though it's late afternoon, 'cause everybody knows fishermen seldom drink anything weaker* than coffee. John Jacobsen, by the way, is Nels' father, and a pair of fine fellows they are. (See pictures and story page three)._ .
TTieTiTherm
Representing the Organized Fishermen and Shoreworkers of British Columbia Price: 5 Cents
VOL. XIV. No. 16. (574)
VANCOUVER, B.C., TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1952
Vancouver Trawl leet Stays In Over inimnnt Contract
A large meeting of trawlers held in Vancouver last Friday voted unanimously to remain tied up until signed minimum price agreements are obtained, taking the same action as members of the Prince Rupert trawl fleet.
This action was taken after'* a full report on recent develop
merits including the fact that the Companies concerned in the dispute had made no move to enter collective bargaining. Letters had been sent by the Union to B.C. Paeljers, Canadian Fishing Company, Nelson Brothers, and J. II. Todd and Sons, indicating the Union's willingness to discuss an early settlement.
It was reported that there had been no reply to these letters and no response to earlier suggestions by the Union that negotiations be opened.
Fishermen at last Friday's meeting also decided to use every possible effort to shut off the supply of trawl fish to the companies concerned until such time as they sign agreements with the Union.
With this object in view, trawlers have.asked the B.C. Fishermen's Independent Cooperative Association to call a meeting of its mem-hershin to hear representations from the joint Union-Vessel Owners' trawl eommitee. It is expected that this meeting will take place Monday, May 26.
In the meantime, a special meeting has been set for Wednesday. May 21. at 2 p.m.. at which time all trawl fishermen delivering to the Fishermen's Cooperative Association will be in for a general meeting. This meeting has been called
B.C. Shoreworkers Rates Trail Badly Alaska, Puget Sound Away
Ba Ahea
d
Ry ALEX GORDON, UFAWU Business Agent
News has just been received that U.S. canning operators in negotiations with Alaska cannery men have, after many months of discussions, during which company arguments were identical with those used this year by B.C. companies, offered a four percent wage increase which has been accepted by the men concerned.
In view of this development and with the deadlock which now exists in B.C. shoreworker negotiations, and also considering the intensive propaganda campaign being carried on by B.C. companies, it seems to me the following reprint from The Fisherman of last year, with certain minor amendments (to bring it up to date) should help clarify the thinking of many B.C. cannery workers.
Because Alaskan rates for other classifications are generally in line with those for cannery help, this article should give some food for thought to all B.C. fish workers, including networkers and reduction plant men.
Establishment of more equality between Canadian and American cannery workers and other fish workers has always been an objective of the UFAWU. This year, as in past years, when rates on each side of the border were quoted as evidence of inequality, the Company spokesmen laughed it off as some kind of a bad joke.
This article is offered so that B.C. fishing industry workers will have first hand knowledge of American rates and conditions and how the Canadian deal stacks up by comparison. Since the cost of living is higher in Canada than in the U.S., this information should lead to some deep thinking by those who try to maintain a recent standard of living on present B.C. wages.
The following information is taken from the 1951 agreement covering cannery men in Alaska, with four percent added to wage rates.
Alaskan cannerymen are paid on the basis of a season's guarantee. Maximum season for which the rates quoted below are paid is three months and 10 days. If the season is shorter the full guarantee -is paid as a minimum. If the season is longer, each additional day must be paid for at the daily pro rata wage as listed. In addition to the basic-guarantee, overtime must be paid for all hours in excess of eight Monday to Saturday inclusive, and for all hours worked on Sundays. Monday can be given as the weekly day of rest in lieu of Sunday, in which case the overtime rate is not paid for the first eight hours on Sunday. The overtime rate which is 'on a flat basis is as follows:
Watchmen and Helpers.......... ___________........................ $2.16 per hour
(Helper"would compare with our Utility Men or Casual Labor)
Salmon Cooks (Retort Men)...................................................... $3.04 per hour
Firemen ..........________......____________........______________________________........$3.04 per hour
All others _________.........._..............._____________-—................. $3.45 per hour
Here are the rates with a comparison between the appropriate B.C. classifications. For purposes of comparison the B.C. 1951 monthly rate is.multiplied by 3 plus 10/24 (approx.)
Season Daily Pro Classification Rate Rata Wage B.C. Comparison
First Machinist .......... $2303.28 $26.78 $1042.00 Lineman, Fill. Mach.
Shop Machinist.......... 1999.97 23.23 1042.00 ..... ........ .... Machinist
23.23 22.21 22.21 22.21
Port Engineer ____________ 1999.97
Electrician.............1911.68
Blacksmith.................. 1911.68
Pipefitter .........____ 1911.68
Salmon Cook,
Pipefitter .. 1911.68
Iron Chink Man ........ 1911.68
Reformer ......... 1911.68
Unit Man
(Casing-labeling) 1911.68
Filler Man _______.........._ 1707.88
Seamer Man ............._ 1707.88
Salmon Cook
Fireman _..............._ 1655.51
Pumpman ........_________ 1642.01
Diesel Operator.......... 1642.01
Labelman ............... ... 1554.18
Casing Mach. Man ________1554.18
Cooling Unit Man .... 1558.18
Salmon Cook ............. 1499.78
Fireman ....... ............ 1499.78
Watchman................... 1162.19
1042.00.............. Port Engineer
991.80 ____________ Maintenance
991.80 _ Maintenance 991.80 _________........ Maintenance
22.21 22.21 22.21
22.21 19.88 19.88
19.23 19.08 19.08 18.05
18.05
18.05 17.42 17.42 13.50
872.10 _____________________ Retort Man
1008.90 ........ Iron Chink
1008.90................ Reform Line
872.10 ...... Labeling, Box-up)
896.04 Qual. Asst. Fill. Mach. 930.24 _ Qual. Asst. Lineman
it is necessary as a small peg upon which to hang our self-respect.
Here is the clause on living accommodations: "All employees shall be provided with sufficient blankets, toilet and laundryr.ifacilities. In addition they shall be supplied once each week with clean linen, a bath towel and two face towels. Linen shall be changed once each seven days. Toilet, laundry and a mechanic's type hand soap shall be furnished. Delegate (shop steward) to notify superintendent in writing of any breach of this clause retaining <sopy for reference. Thereafter, employees affected shall be entitled to penalty money at the rate of $1.00 per day until violation is corrected.
"The Company shall furnish sufficient help to keep living quarters clean and sanitary and to do the making of beds. All living quarters to be equipped with bathing and heating facilities."
Alaska workers get this condition gratis; we pay 10 cents per diem for much less.
Board and room is the final payoff. "Board and room shall be furnished all employees working under the terms of this agreement. Where the Company has not established its own facilities for providing board and room, the Company shall make arrangements with a third party to furnish suitable accommodations and meals to their employees. A cash allowance mutually acceptable will be given Alaska residents who live at home."
Here are some comparisons from the 1951 agreement between the International Longshoremen and Warehousemen's Union and the Puget Sound Canners. These figures are quoted, not only for the purpose of illustrating the third class rates prevailing for B.C. cannery workers, but also to refute the usual B.C. company argument whenever Alaskan rates are quoted. The argument is that fish prices (paid to fishermen) in Alaska are lower than in B.C. In Puget Sound fish prices to fishermen are higher than in B.C.
Puget Sound
Classification Hourly Rate
Fish Pitchers ________..............................------- $1.70
Fireman—Retort (Comb.) ...........___________ 1.85
Fireman..........___________________
Tallyman j.........................
Retort Man.....................
Iron Chink Feeder Labeling Machine Man Box-up Machine Man ... Casual Labor __________________
1.70 1.70 1.70 1.70 1.70 1.70 1.60
B.C. Hourly Rate
$1.27 1.33 1.22 1.33 1.33 1.22 1.33 1.33 1.20
Disparity Per Hour
43c 52c 48c 37c 37c 48c 37c 37c 40c
in order to finalize a definite policy in relation to boats fishing cooperatively.
The membership meeting last week voted to endorse price proposals worked out by the trawl committee for the ports of Vancouver and Victoria as follows:
Petrale Sole .....______________ 9c lb.
Sand Sole ..........____________________ 9c lb.
•Lemon Sole ______ _______........ 8c lb.
Rock Sole ......________..... ........... 7c lb.
Dover Sole.........................._ 4c lb.
Rex (Witches) ........._____________ 5c lb.
Ling Cod, dressed _......_» 9c lb.
Grey Cod, dressed ........_____ 5c lb.
Grey Cod, round ...... - 4'Ac lb.
Black Cod, dr. heads off 10c lb. Red Snappers, round 5c lb.
Black Snappers, round 4c'lb. Rose Fish (Ocean Perch
round . 5c lb.
On the matter of length of contract, it was decided that the proposed minimum price agreement should run to September 1 with two weeks notice by either party to reopen September 1 or later; or, no limit on contract with either party having the right to reopen on one month's notice.
Conciliation Talks End; Application For Board
Establishment of a Conciliation and Arbitration Board immediately to deal with the dispute between UFAWU Shore-workers and Tendermen and the Fisheries Association of B.C. was mutually agreed upon between the deadlocked parties at a meeting held last Thursday, May 15.
Present at the meeting were the<8-shoreworkers and tendermen's ne
gotiating committees and the labor relations committee of the Fisheries Association with conciliation officer R. G. Clements in attendance.
Argumentation at the meeting was slight, the Company spokesman, Mr. e. L. Harrison, repeating three times briefly the same arguments with respect to markets which Union negotiating committees have already heard on several occasions this year.
Replying for the Union, both Homer Stevens and Alex Gordon, after reiterating some of the "more obvious injustices in present shore-worker and tendermen agreements," stated they could see no point in continuing discussions rendered fruitless by the refusal of the Companies to negotiate.
Companies were told the Union negotiating committees this year were under the same instructions from the membership as in pre-
vious years; that is, to negotiate mutually acceptable agreements. In line with this policy the committees would be in readiness at any time to sit down with the companies for this purpose.
Machinery to set up a Conciliation and Arbitration Board will be in motion within the next few days.
It is likely Mr. Emil Bjarnason of the Trade Union Research Bureau, who has represented the UFAWU on previous boards, will act for shoreworkers and tender-men.
Following adjournment of the meeting, a short discussion was held by the shoreworkers' negotiating committee as a result of which it was decided the following members would act as a sub-committee for the purpose of attending Conciliation and Arbitration Board mearings: Mickey Beagle, Sophie Pospisil, Charlie Cruick-shank, Jim Woods, and Fred Branter. |
Puget Sound canneries work a six-day week, eight hour day (48-hour Week) in contrast to our 44-hour week. They do not, however, have a flexible weekend arrangement, all hours worked on Sundays being paid at time and one-half, which, aside from other factors, just about equalizes their hourly condition to ours for many B.C. cannery classifications.
The Puget Sound agreement includes a 10 cent per hour night differential for shifts working hours between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. In the event day shift employees work overtime between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m.. they receive the 10 cent differential over and above time and one-half overtime.
The following comparison in overtime rates is therefore illuminating. A "fish pitcher" would receive $2.65 per hour (B.C. $1.90), a "tallyman" $2.65 (B.C. $1.99), a fireman $2.65 (B.C. $1.83), casual labor $2.50 (B.C. $1.80).
There rates should prove that we in the B.C. fishing industry are away out of line with our American brothers and sisters. Next issue will carry comparision between rates in our industry and other industries in this province and they too will show that we are out of line in this field.
957.60 _______Namu Powerhouse
752.40 Casual Labor
(or women at 98c per hr.) 752.40 Casual Labor
(or women at 98c per hr.)
752.40 ..........___Casual Labor
872.10 .__ Retort Man
803.70 ... Fireman - oilburner 722.30 Watchman (without considering hrs of work)
Helper ...............~........._ 1162.19 13.50 752..00-872.00 Utility men or
casual labor)
In looking over the above figures, do not forget that overtime at the rates quoted in the foregoing are paid in addition to the season's wage. •
The only edge B.C. workers have over their American brothers is on hourly control. In B.C. canneries, the 44 hour week is established. Alaskan canneries still work 48 hours per week. This is an edge which looks good on paper, but since hours worked will be approximately the same, regardless of penalty control, and since take home pay is the final answer to which is best, we have no advantage to speak of. For instance, consider a week in which 56 hours are worked. An Alaskan Iron Chink Man would receive $27.60 overtime pay (8 hours at $3.45); a B.C. Iron Chink Man would also receive $27.60 overtime pay (12 hours at $2.30). Just the same, it would be wrong for anyone to get the idea B.C. cannery men are not interested in holding on to the 44-hour week—
G^9
TigH PRICE?
VANCOUVER TO FISHERMEN— '
Prices to fishermen at Campbell Avenue Dock, Friday, May 16.
Salmon—(Gillnet)
(Fraser River Round) ...... 25c lb.
Salmon (Troll)
Red Spring, large ..... ....... 35c lb.
Red Spring, small _________..... 25-28c lb.
Sole . ..............................__________ 9c lb.
Grey Cod___............................ 5c lb.
Ling Cod...............................8-10c lb.
Rock, Red Cod ............__________ 4c lb.
SEATTLE' TO FISHERMEN—
Friday, May 16. Salmon—(Troll)
Red Spring, large ... 34% - 38c lb.
Red Spring, small ... 28c - 31c lb.
White Spring.................___1 26c lb.
Petrale Sole ........_..........._______ 11c lb.
English Sole _......................___ 9c lb.
Rockfish (red) ...... ............. 6clb.
Rockfish (black) j,_____________ 5c lb.
Ling Cod (dressed) _______________ 11clb.
Black Cod (large) ......—........ 12c lb.
True Cod (round) ...........______ 5clb.
Halibut ......... ....... ......... 30c lb.
Special Sunbury Meet
SUNDAY, MAY 25
7:30 P.M.
SUNBURY SCHOOL
BUSINESS: Vote on SALMON PRICES
T
Wage, Price Vote
Vancouver Fishermen
MEETING CALLED FOR ALL MEMBERS - TENDERMEN AND FISHERMEN
Thursday, May 22
7:30 p.m. SHARP
Vote will be taken by Secret Ballot on Operators' Proposal on Salmon Prices and Tendermen's Wages and Working Conditions.
This Meeting is Important To You -Be Stire and Attend I
to retain these markets and develop new ones with all countries of the world, without exception."
Enclosed resolutions passed at the Union convention "make it clear that in our view, peace and trade go hand in hand and are equally essential to a prosperous future," the Union declares.
The Fisherman will publish statements of candidates on these four questions prior to the election.
Union Queries Candidates On Four Important Issues
A letter has been sent by the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union to candidates in the June 12 provincial election asking them to state their position on four questions of concern to members of the Union.
First question deals with com-^ pensation for fishermen and candidates are asked if they support the Union's request for amendments to the Compensation Act which would provide for coverage for those fishermen now excluded. A copy of "The Case for the Fisherman," is enclosed.
Second query concerns the proposed International Convention for the High Seas Fisheries of the North Pacific Ocean. "This is a matter presently before our Federal Parliament," the Union states, "but its importance to all citizens of B.C. makes it desirable that candidates for provincial office express their attitude on the matter." A statement of the Union's position on this issue is included.
Third point raised relates to Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act amendments favored by the Union. Asking what changes in particular are favored by the candidates, the Union specifically wishes to know:
(1) Are you in favor of permitting unions to conduct their own affairs under their own constitutions without government interference in the Union's internal affairs (e.g. government-supervised , strike votes);
(2) Do you favor the recommendation by the Inquiry Board to amend Sec. 11 (1) to discourage inter-union raiding of organized workmen?
Final question is on trade, with the Union stating that, "Our members are disturbed at the increasing indications of loss of traditional Commonwealth markets for fishery and other B.C. products and the absence of adequate policies
Disr. 3 Supervisor Passes Away May 13
There will be general regret throughout British Columbia fishery circles at the sudden death on May 13 of Mr. J. F. Tait, federal Supervisor of Fisheries for District No. 3 with headquarters at Nanaimo.
Steps are being taken for the appointment of a successor through the Civil Service Commission. In the meantime, Assistant Supervisor H. e. Palmer has been designated to take over the duties of Supervisor for District No. 3 pending a permanent appointment, and all correspondence to the Regional Office at Nanaimo should be directed to Mr. H. e. Palmer, Acting Supervisor of Fisheries, Nanaimo. B.C.
Mr. Palmer has been associated with the Nanaimo office for the past 30 years, the last 22 as assistant to the late Mr. Tait.
Inspector A. J. Touchings of Victoria will be on special assignment at the Nanaimo office to assist Mr Palmer during this interim period.