TheTSherman
Markets — in the companies' view
During UFAWU roe herring negotiations earlier this year, the companies took up their traditional bargaining position, arguing that prices were likely to fall because of an increased supply of roe from Alaska and markets in Japan were "fragile" because of a weak economy there.
They dismissed as unimportant the most favourable yen-dollar exchange rates in a decade, suggesting that Canadian exporters could not depend on the rate remaining favourable until the summer, the time when most of the roe is sold.
As a result, they said, they had nothing to offer herring fishers beyond a rollover of the 1992 agreement.
Now we read in the April 14 issue of the Bill Atkinson News Report — the key U.S. indicator of Japanese fish markets — that the Canadian companies have turned the story around.
"The Canadian packers are pushing for prices higher than last year, pointing to the relatively smooth salted herring roe sales during last year's sales season," the BANR notes. Last year, more than 60 per cent of B.C. roe production sold quickly to two of Japan's high-end producers of gift-pack roe herring and they'll undoubtedly be back in the bidding this year.
Will the companies get the higher prices from the Japanese? Probably. Certainly the exchange rate has given the Canadians an added boost in negotiations — they're even more favourable than they were in February.
The more important question for fishers is: will they get any benefit from the companies' higher prices?
Challenging NAFTA
Waved off by hundreds of supporters including UFAWU members, the cross-Canada Caravan against the North American Free Trade Agreement was launched in B.C. last week. For the next 30 days, it will make its way across the country, winding up at a mass rally in Ottawa May 15.
For people in this province, that rally might be a faraway event but the issue couldn't be closer to closer to home — as the developments in the hake fishery, reported elsewhere in this issue, have demonstrated.
Unless Canadians can have guaranteed access to their resources, unless they have the right to determine how those resources will be used, we will have no industries. And without industries, there are no jobs, no tax base, and no future. That's what's at stake in the campaign against NAFTA.
The campaign will be intense over the next few weeks but even beyond that, NAFTA will be a top item on the political agenda in the run-up to the 1993 federal election. Unionists throughout this province will have to make sure that it's an issue in every community.
CALM 3-93
POT FISHING: The Alaska Fishermen's Journal reports a new spill in Prince William Sound. Only it wasn't oil this time, but marijuana. The source of the washed up pot is unknown. Last December two deer hunters from Cordova discovered plastic wrapped one-kilogram bricks of the stuff washed up on a place called Hawkins Island. Seeing as one of the hunters was a local police officer, the discovery was reported. Estimated value of the bricks was $100,000 each. Rumour has it that Cordova at one point went dead quiet as 40 boats left port. Some speculated everyone went deer hunting. A pilot who landed in Cordova said he thought there was an early herring opening on because of all the spotter planes in the air.
Authorities soon got wind of the find and organized a clean-up. The local police chief reported that fifty-five one-kilogram packages had been picked up by Coast Guard, National Guard and Alaska State Troopers in a joint operation.
BABY BONUS! Congratulations to Prince Rupert UFAWU office staffer Christina Nelson on the birth of her new son, a strapping 8 lb. 13 oz. baby boy on April 13.
•
DAY OF MOURNING: On
April 28, workers across Canada will be observing a day of remembrance and renewal of committment to reduce the extent of work-
place risk to health and safety. In 1992, workplace injury and disease was officially accepted by the Worker's Compensation board as being the cause of 161 deaths.
The B.C. Federation of Labour and the New Westminster and District
Labour Council are sponsoring an event to remind the community of continuing workplace injury and death.
They are asking trade unionists to assemble in mourning attire at 5:00 p.m on April 28 in front of New Westminster City Hall.
BURNT BIG SPRINGS: We
had a report from Sointula that Big Springs sports fishing lodge in Rivers Inlet burned up earlier this month.
Charred wood debris and an oil slick drifted right into Finn Bay, reported Sointula fisherman Carl Nelson.
Environment Canada is investigating.
LAUGHTON'S LAW:
Lawyer Bruce Laughton, who has represented the UFAWU and provided advice in many cases through the legal firm of Rankin and Company has established the legal firm
of Laughton and Company.
Laughton will continue to represent the UFAWU and Rankin and Company will continue to operate the legal advice service it provides to UFAWU members.
Laughton's new offices will be at suite 1090,1090 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C.
LOGGING HEARINGS:
Campbell River local president Harry Allen called to rernind readers of forest plan hearings MacBlo is having in Vancouver April 30.
The company is reviewing logging plans for TFL 39, which is essentially the whole coast except the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
Areas of particular concern are the Tsitika, Koeye and Yakoun watersheds. Central Area fishers are familiar with the Koeye River near Namu.
The company is looking for suggestions," Allen said. "It would be good to put the Koeye into some kind of park or special reserve. It's a valuable salmon river."
The hearings start at noon at the Robson Square meeting Centre at the art gallery in Vancouver. A similar hearing is at the Ramada Inn in Victoria on April 29.
SENIOR'S MEETING: the
next meeting of of the UFAWU Senior's Club will be at noon on may 12 at the UFAWU house in Steveston. The house is adjacent to the Bill Rigby Manor at 4100 Chatham Street in Richmond.
Published by the Fishermen Publishing Society on the third Friday of each month. Second Class Mail. Publications Mail Registration No. 1576. Rate Code 3. Single copy $1, $20 per year, $30 foreign. Deadline Friday prior to publication. Member of CALM.
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Sean Griffin
Editor
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Asst. Editor
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4 • THE FISHERMAN / APRIL 23,1993