Page Two
THE FISHERMAN
March 16, 1943
THE
FISHERMAN
Published Every Tuesday by The Fisherman Publishing Society at 138 East Cordova Street, Vancouver, B.C. Telephone MArine 1829. Subscription Rates: One Year, $1.50; Six Months, 80c. Make All Payments to: THE FISHERMAN PUBLISHING SOCIETY Advertising Rates on Application.
Welcome, Delegates!
As this issue of our paper goes to press, delegates of the United Fish Cannery and Reduction Plant Workers' Union are assembled for the Second Annual Convention of their union. Before our next issue appears, representatives of the United Fishermen's Federal Union will be meeting in the same hall for the Fifth Annual Convention of their union. To all the delegates at both conventions and to the union men and women of both unions who elected them, The Fisherman extends hearty greetings and a sincere welcome, confident that the result of the deliberations of these conventions will make possible even more rapid progress than has already been achieved in the past year.
Though the details differ, basically the task confronting both conventions is the same: it is to so strengthen and improve their own organization as to enable the men and women who work in the industry to make a greater contribution toward winning the war and winning the peace. From many quarters these days, one hears a babel of discussion about postwar problems and is offered plans and blueprints of all hues and varieties, the only common feature being that they are based on the easy supposition that "the war is already in the bag," and all we need to do is to discuss what should go into the peace treaty.
We cannot share the exaggerated optimism of those who regard the war as already won, for unless we are afraid of facing reality, we must realize that the greatest battles and the greatest sacrifices lie ahead if we are determined that victory shall be ours. It sounds elementary, but too many people at the present time seem to ignore the fact that we cahnot win the peace unless and until we win the war.
Let us destroy the military might of the Nazi alliance which threatens to enslave the whole of mankind and no force remains that would be able, if the people are organized, to prevent the period that follows from becoming, in the words of Vice President Henry Wallace of the United States, "the century of the common man."
Our Union Faces Problems Of Growth
Fishermen and Science
We hope every union fisherman will extend the utmost cooperation to the Pacific Biological Station in its request for information about marked salmon during the coming season.
The scientific research worker is an indispensable ally of the fisherman. Working together, they can make certain that the fisheries of this province will provide an abundant source of food for all generations to come.
Wasteful destruction and depletion of our natural resources have been the characteristic features of the workings of so-called private "enterprise" guided by the individual profit motive. We cannot believe that such interests are destined to endure but as long as there are fish, there will be fishermen and as long as fishermen work in cooperation with scientific research workers, there can always be fish in plentitude.
Scars And Scales Needed To Reveal Salmon's Past
From PAGE ONE
In such cases duplication did not appear to be any drawback. As a
tOT^mm <fl tfeftic co-worfcers, {
however, these departments are avoiding conflicts wherever possible. Thus although there Is at present some duplication, it is generally being removed.
The Increase In the number of programs has made it impossible to allot marks which will not be repeated during the life cycle of any species. There are just not that many fin combinations. The result is that when a scar is returned, the age of the salmon has to be determined in order to discover to what year the mark belongs. That is the reason why scales are requested with each report. That is the explanation of why it is stated that the investigator must make the final decision. Even if the fishermen could determine age, the microscopes necessary for the study of the scalesjae not generally available.
Payment of rewards has always been a question which would provoke immediate argument. It is rightly maintained by many that the small sum offered is no financial inducement to fishermen. It is only their personal interest which causes them to report. On the'other hand, it is freely admitted that under present conditions, no organization could offer sufficient to compensate the sender. The result has been compromise. In British Columbia, where rewards have always been given, they will continue to be paid. In other areas where the fashion is changed, the one at present in vogue will be followed.
Intricate and lengthy though it may seem, that is the story behind the letter which the salmon fishermen will receive. The organization for handling the recoveries has been set up and will endeavor to give quick and efficient service. There remains only for the individuals catching the fish to Join in the cooperative effort to provide Information. They will not be alone. Others along the whole coast
will be helping.
During the year 1942, some valuable aid was received from the fishermen. Approximately one >runureu and Fifty recoveries were made. Fraser river sockeye were caught in Johnstone straits. Puget Sound coho appeared on the west coast of Vancouver Island and in the Strait of Georgia. Columbia river coho got as far as the west coast of Vancouver Island. Puget Sound and Columbia river spring salmon apparently were in the same area. Cohoes and springs from Cowichan river on the east coast of Vancouver Island, ranged as far as Kyuquot. Masset pinks turned up in south-eastern Alaska, Douglas channel, and even in the Quathiaski area.
It is impossible for the scientists with their limited help to see all the salmon landed in British Columbia. The fishermen, on the other hand, handle most of them in the ordinary course of their work. Perhaps these men feel that their neglect or help will not hinder or benefit. That is not the case! Their assistance or opposition is important! A number of single or small contributions will serve to build up a large body of valuable information. As an instance, in one fishermen's organization in 1942, thirty-three men turned in legitimate scars. Of this number twenty-six recovered one only. Besides this, others sent in records for fish which were not actually marked. These men also made a contribution which was welcomed in that they demonstrated the prevalence of such unnatural fins and showed their personal interest
If this explanation induces you to read the letter which you will receive, it will have accomplished its purpose. Later in the year posters advertising the Canadian experiments will be nailed in prominent places. Ask your campmen, • the cannery men, or the fishery officers for information if you are in doubt. If you desire, write us directly. Above all, report the scars. With your help these experiments may become a model of cooperation for I the production of Information.
By W. T. BURGESS
The Fifth Annual Convention of the United Fishermen's Federal Union will come to order on the morning of March 22.
Since the year 1939, each successive convention of our organization has witnessed not only a growth in our membership, but a new step taken towards the eventual unification of all existing trade union organizations in the fishing industry. It is only natural, therefore, that the coming convention of the United Fishermen's Federal Union is being discussed with keen anticipation by all those fishermen who have not only supported the growth of the United Fishermen's Union but have constantly worked for the building of one organization within the industry on the basis of that time-old slogan, "In Unity There Is Strength."
As a living example of the correctness of this policy the United Fishermen's Union exists today, having refuted all false arguments 'that fiehermen could not be united because of differences in type of gear utilized, or because they would be unwilling to contribute to the welfare of the organization by the payment of dues, on a basis similar to other trade union organizations. The United Fishermen's Union has developed to maturity in the short space.of four years. Step by step the growth and the degree of unity achieved by the union have been paralleled by economic advances made in every section of the industry in which the union was the decisive factor in the attainment of working agreements.
Important to the workers in our industry, as each past convention of the United Fishermen's Union has been, we have now arrived at a turning point in our development.
The organizational problem that confronts the delegates to the Fifth Annual Convention may be defined briefly as follows: Shall we pursue a policy designed only to maintain the gains already made or shall we as a progressive organization make further efforts to attain the perspective, towards which we embarked in 1939, that is one organization representing the one industry?
The policy upon which our existing union has been built to date will readily answer this question. We shall continue in our efforts to build one industrial organization of the workers in the fishing industry. To proceed with such a program the delegates to the com-
*mg Yifth knu-ua\ Convention vrtn of necessity face the problem of expanding upon the foundation already laid, both in an organizational and constitutional manner.
The growth of our membership has made the task of direction of the union through one headquarters and one office staff, a practical impossibility and to continue to organize without creating the additional administrative requirements
to deal efficiently with each section of the industry would eventually lead to confusion, lack of efficiency and possible weakening of our organization.
Let us examine four years of organization. In 1939 the union consisted practically in its entirety, of halibut and pilchard fishermen with an approximate membership of 300. Then came in 1940 the amalgamation with the salmon purse seiners, boosting our membership to 600, and extending the jurisdiction of the union. From 1940-42 the union witnessed the organization of tendermen, and the first tendermen's wage agreement, and finally the setting up of a gillnet and trollers section of the organization. From a membership of 300, we have now reached a membership of close to 3,000. Our agreements cover practically all phases of the fishing industry. Together with our union we have embarked upon a program of building the United Fishermen's Co-operative Society, hand in hand with the development of the union. Concurrent with the growth of our organization we have had to deal with many new problems. This will continue to be the case and the responsibility of the Fifth Annual Convention is not merely to noint out these problems, but to set up the necessary machinery to deal with them as they arise.
The present constitution of the United Fishermen's Union was not originally intended to meet the requirements of an organization such as we now have. It is true that each year amendments have been made in an endeavor to keep up with the development of the union in a constitutional manner. It will be proposed at the Fifth Annual Convention that more rooms be added to our house to accommodate the growing family of united fishermen. In brief, what the delegates will discuss will be an extensive organizational program, and the adopting of a constitution that will permit the setting up of separate locals of the United Fishermen's Union at all fishing centres with provision for the additional subdividing of the locals' membership into sub-locals at such heavily populated points as Prince Rupert and Vancouver. In the Vancouver area, for instance, the Vancouver local might be divided into sub-locals consisting of gillnet fishermen, salmon purse seiners, halibut men and tendermen. These locals would have the fullest
(vjossiMe autonQTAV a.tvd yjctow to'
elect their own officers and their delegates to the Annual Convention on a representative basis, thus assuring proportionate representation to all locals on the Joint Executive Board.
The delegates will be required to deal with resolutions proposing further amalgamation with other fishermen's organizations not now affiliated with the United Fisher-
W. T. BURGESS
Fisherman's Union secretary outlines main organizational questions which convention delegates will need to decide.
'You Have The Floor'
This page is open to all readers, organized and unorganized. The Editorial Board requests all letters be signed. Signatures will be published unless otherwise stated. Letters should not be more than 200 words in length. Letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the policy ol
The Fisherman.
Let George Do It— It Won't Be Done
Editor, The Fisherman,—When I
hear people in the cars and barber
shops discussing the fuel shortage
and the scarcity of spuds, I often
hear the question, "Why don't they
do something about it?" By THEY
is presumably meant municipal,
provincial and federal governments. I never hear what should
"I" or what should "we" do about
it. I admit it gets my goat to hear
a fellow who has never taken the
trouble to vote even for a dog-catcher expecting those elected and
put in power by someone else, to
look after their needs and interests. It isn't reasonable. I suggest that
we, preferably in the union connected with our occupation, study
and discuss what can and should
be done about the things that are
bothering us, be it a scarcity of
diapers or of tots to fill them. Let
us not always get up and say "I
decline" when asked to serve on a
committee that will involve a little
overtime without any pay. Remem-! ber that whatever progress humanity has made since we left the I primeval age has been initiated j OLE MARTIN,
j and carried forward by just such Vancouver, B.C.
men's Union and suggesting that full understanding be reached with the Native Brotherhood of British Columbia to insure the utmost unity with our native fishermen.
It will also be proposed to the convention that changes be made in the administration of headquarters and that instead of as previously, all dues being paid to headquarters for the general funds, each local should be allowed to retain the dues collections from its individual membership, submitting an agreed amount in the form of a per capita tax to headquarters for administrative purposes. In this manner, sick benefits, death benefits, etc., would be paid from each local's treasury where applications for benefits would be dealt with with a far better understanding than under our present arrangements.
A standard set of books for financial and membership records would be issued to each local secretary and it would be required that each local submit to headquarters a monthly report of its activities, membership and financial condition. Under such an arrangement, each local could elect full or part time secretaries at a salary to be determined by the locals themselves and meeting their own individual requirements.
Another problem to be dealt with will be the setting up of a committee under the direction of a general organizer appointed by the annual convention whose duty
it will be to stay out on the fishing
grounds the year around and direct the union's policy of organization, not in one, but all sec-
tions of the union.
The experience of the past will have equipped us with the necessary fundamental knowledge of what changes are necessary for the further development of our union. Our delegates should welcome the proposal that has been placed before the United Fish Cannery and Reduction Plant Workers' Union convention suggesting that a joint industrial council of shore workers and fishermen be formed to consider the formulation of a program of mutual advantage to all workers in the entire industry.
Our convention delegates will be required to design a policy to guide the negotiating committee during coming price agreements, outline policies for conservation of our fisheries and lay plans to offset a possible influx of hundreds or thousands of men into the industry in the post-war period without regard to the proper number of bona-fide fishermen that our industry can support on the basis of fair earnings.
The Executive Board of the union will meet during the coming week and will appoint chairmen of the various convention committees. Delegates to the convention are urged to submit their resolutions Immediately in order that they may be properly assembled and submitted to the proper committees.
I have confined this article to a consideration of the most important organizational questions that will be taken up at our Fifth Annual Convention only because I feel that these questions are the ones that will perhaps appear most unexpected to many delegates. Never for one moment, of course, can we afford to forget that we will be meeting in a time of war when all our deliberations should be guided by the supreme need of decisively defeating the threat of fascism.
In the words of our convention call, "Our convention will assemble at a critical turning point of the war, at a time when the people of Canada will be expecting and hoping to see the opening of an all-out offensive in Western Europe, with our Canadian troops in the vanguard of the invasion forces. "Under such circumstances, we not only renew our pledge to spare no effort for our country and the cause of victory for the United Nations, but we fully realize that the responsibility that falls upon us is heavier than ever before. Greater efficiency and maximum
production remain our aims and
our convention will need to thoroughly consider every means by which this can be accomplished."
Soldier In Britain Thanks W.A.
Editor, The Fisherman: It is with great pleasure and appreciation that I send this letter with a vote of thanks, for the wonderful parcel which I received through the kindness of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the United Fishermen's Union, Local 44.
I can assure you the consideration and expense put into such a parcel for me promoted a warm glow within me. Quite frequently I have read in the papers of your successes in your tussles with the canners. Of this 1 am very pleased and wish you further triumphs throughout the coming year.
Trusting that 1943 will prove an abundant and successful year for you all, I close hoping my letter conveys the heartfelt gratitude to the Ladies' Auxiliary with which j I send it. Sincerely,
PTE. ALEX MacLEOD, Canadian Army in England.
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