ThefiJherm&n
Representing the Organized Fishermen of British Columbia
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VOL. ID. No. 38
(124)
VANCOUVER, B.C., TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1941
©
PRICE: 5 Cents
PCFU Fresh Fish Market Ready To Open This Week
As we have heard and read a lot about a cost of living bonus, some of us began to wonder how the average fisherman could benefit from a similar scheme. The result of our meditation is a retail fish market to be opened this week by Local No. 1, PCFU, at the City Market, corner of Main and Pender Street. We plan to handle all kinds of sea foods, and it is our wish and intention to handle fish caught by union fishermen as far as possible. This is a notice to fish-mermen that this is one way in which they can help themselves to a cost-
of-living bonus. In spite of a better-than-average season, a little extra cash will come in handy for some of you. Show us that you are willing to cooperate.
We ask no sacrifice; the sacrificing has already been done by those haywire guys in Local No. 1 that everyone up and down the coast have heard so much about. I refer to Burnett, Martin' and Sabin and a few others.
What we do ask is that you who are fishing will bring or send your fish to the Cooperative Market while in such good condition that you would be willing to eat it yourself. And when you or your friends in organized labor feel the need of eating fish we ask you to extend us your patronage. You will find a union member in good standing behind the counter, one who knows fish from various angles and will "be able to give hints on preparing the various species for the table.
So come and see us quite often and let us know what you think of the idea of fishermen participating in any profit there may be in the distribution of their product. The idea is not new but it has not been put into practice to any extent here in B.C., so give it a chance. Boost it; don't knock it.
Our slogan i", "Fish fit to eat at an equitable price." We expect to meet plenty of opposition from certain quarters that have waxed fat on the proceeds of your toil, so we feel we have a right to expect your patronage both as producers and consumers. Make this another etep forward in our struggle for emancipation.
WHARF COMMITTEE, Local No. 1. PCFU.
Reports On Pilchard Run Good
Pilchard runs are keeping up well on the west coast, it is reported. Captain John Dale and Charlie Clarke are still running neck to neck for high boat. Their catches are now well over the 3000 ton mark.
According to Mr. Rosenberg of the Nootka Packing Company, up to the beginning of this week he estimates that the average for the Nootka fleet would be in the neighborhood of 2,000 tons per boat.
The B. C. Packers' fleet has also picked up considerably during the past week and are making deliveries to their Hecate plant which is being operated by the crew taken from their plant at Ecoole. However, with fish still coming in up and down the west coast, the B. C. Packers are endeavoring to secure a crew to operate Ecoole as well as Hecate.
Anchovies Plentiful
A surprising amount of anchovies have been caught in the Barclay Sound area. Last week two of the boats engaged in anchovy fishing turned in over 1,000 tons. Some of these fish are being used for canning purposes but the bulk of them are going to reduction plants.
Sub Drive Honor Roll
Everyone must be saving up for the last week of the drive, as there were only a total of 37 subs that came in this week. Indications are that more women than men will be walking off with prizes but Scotty seems to be determined to maintain his position at the top.
This drive has to date topped any drive we have ever had in the total number of subs obtained. We have well over 250 to date. However, the individual scores are not up to those obtained in our last drive.
* Tentative prize winners will be announced in the next issue as all subs sent in post-marked August 31st will be counted in the drive and we may not receive them all before we go to press on September 2nd. However, in general, results should be fairly authentic by that time.
Remember all subs obtained after Aug. 31st must be $1.50 for 52 issues, and none received that are postmarked after that date will be counted in the drive Well, all we can say at this time is it's been a great drive and may the best "man" win!
Scatty ......................._..............----...............:.............................................. 42
Mrs. Ingrid Michelson .............................................................................. 36
Mrs. Gus Cogswell .........................................................................--------- 30
Percy Sabin .................................................................................................. 26
Mrs. Aili Malm .........................................................................—........... 22
Bob Wulff ...................-..........!.................................................................. 22
Mrs. Hilda Oja .........................................................-........-..................... 17
Olga Walker ................................................................................................ 17
Alex Eyton ...........................................................................................-....... 16
Dan Hemow .........................................................................-....................... 13
Harry Allison .............................—..............................................-............... 9
John Harestead .........................-....................................................-........... 5
J. Gavin .......................................................................................±......_......... 4
Art Hessen .......................^............................................................-............. 4
Urged to Re-open Areas to Seining
No response has as yet been received from Ottawa in answer to insistent demands of the United Fishermen's Union and the canners that the regulations be temporarily amended to allow purse seining in Area 17 as existed before the Sloan commission changed the eastern boundary and also opened Qual-icum area to the half mile limits.
The union feels that due to the huge pack required for the British market this year some concessions should be made to allow seiners to fish in the areas above-mentioned which are now closed to seining.
Stage One-Day Strike
TORONTO, Ont. — (CUN). — Increases ranging up to two cents hourly were recommended in conciliation board reports last week affecting employees of Frances-chini's Dufferin Shipbuilding Co., which has received millions of dollars worth of defence contracts. The workers are members of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Boilermakers and Shipbuilders Union, AFL. Slight adjustments in wages were also gained by workers in National Steel Car, Malton, members of. International Association of Machinists, AFL.
Fish Prices
Vancouver:
Following wholesale fish prices obtained at Campbell Avenue Dock at Vancouver on Monday, Aug. 25: Ling Cod
Large and Baby ............:.8c lb.
Medium ............................8^c lk.
White Spring Salmon
Salt Water........._..............—5c lb
Red Spring Salmon
Salt Water .......-------------12c lb.
Fraser River Salmon,
Red (round) ....._...............8%c lb.
White (round) ...........iV2c lb.
Steelhead ...........----------.......5c lb.
Soles ........................______________6c lb.
Grey Cod ........................._.....Z'Ac lb.
Dogfish Livers ......................7c lb.
Grey Cod Livers ..................4c lb.
Pt. Grey Herring ..................5c lb.
West Coast Cod ..................5%c lb.
Seattle:
Seattle fish prices for Saturday, Aug. 23, are as follows: Crabs, large ............$2.01-$2.26 doz.
Small ................................86c doz.
Dogfish Liver ..............18^-18c lb.
Spring Salmon, lge. 16'/4-17^c lb. Halibut:
Chicken ....................18-13^c lb.
Medium................. 13&t-16c lb.
Large ..........................18-lSHc lb.
Herring
Negotiations
Delayed
W. Burgess secretary of the United Fishermen's Union has announced that in conversation with the operating committee regarding negotiations on the coming herring prices, information on regulations and the gvernment's policy on the canned pack for this year have not been determined and until some clarification of the situation is made known to the industry, the union and the operators alike, feel that there is no basis on which to open negotiations.
However, the government has been urged to devulge all possible information as soon as it is available.
Inspection of West Const Weighing Machines Delayed
All arrangements were made last week for Brother N. Kopatic of the United Fishermen's Union and Mr. Butterfield of the Department of Weights and Measures to leave immediately by plane for the west coast on a tour of inspection of the weighing machines there. However, plane reservations could not be obtained and the trip has had to be postponed until September 3rd.
However, it Is felt that this date will not be too late to make any adjustments necessary to the machines. Fishermen generally are finding many faults with the weights obtained this year at some plants. It is hoped that all the grievances will be ultimately straightened out when the machines are inspected.
Miners Take Strike Vote
KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont—Kirk-land Lake gold miners, members of the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, CIO-CCL, backed up a demand for a conciliation board by a 24 to 1 strike vote last week. The operators accepted the offer of the miners to work Sunday to make up for their strike holiday rather than lose the $60,000 profit on the day's work of 5,000 miners. The miners previously rejected a company union proposal by the Industrial Disputes Inquiry Commission.
Fraser
Sockeye
Obstructed
Facing its biggest threat for many years, the Fraser River sockeye run, is being obstructed at Hell's Gate on the way to the spawning grounds. If immediate action is not taken by the Fisheries Department to remove the obstruction or if the height of the river is not raised to allow the fish to get through, the run four years hence will amount to practically nothing.
Thousands of fish are being piled up at the obstruction, fighting to get through but ending in being dashed against the rocks or falling back exhausted and drifting back down-river again.
The last meeting of the International Fisheries Commission fully recognized the condition existing in the river but it seems to have insufficient funds to properly conduct the remedial work necessary.
The Department of Fisheries are also aware of the problem but to date have offered ho solution.
American Can Employees Achieve Decided Victory
Achieving by their four-day strike the demands of union recognition and wage increases, the American Can employees today went back to work under a agreement concluded Monday night. The agreement was a decided victory for the strikers who put up a determined, united stand for their just demands.
~~ ■§> R- A. Freison secretary of the
j^mjf*!*!' union involved, said today that
Reports from the Fishing Grounds
Last Date Set For Halibut Fishing
The last date for halibut fishing in Areas 3 and 4 is midnight, Si ptemher 14, according to information received from the chairman of the International Fisheries Commission. He also advises that midnight, October 4, will be the last date of validity of permits.
SMITHS INLET.
Old Sol is still doing his stuff. It is still sweltering hot in the day with fog patches at night, but indications are that we will soon have rain.
Smiths Inlet seems deserted. John Forbes is again watchman at Margaret Bay and Joe McArdle is watchman at Boswell, Art Rcece having left to join the navy. Gill-netters have departed to other areas and only the odd seine boat remains.
Trolling at Table Island was good but has slackened off lately. The same can be said of Clam Beach and Safety Cove.
Rock in the Seymour Rapids has departed from Deep Water Bay after the several days of pumping oil there. If you don't believe it, just ask some of the residents or fishermen around tjiese parts. The shoreline, floats and boats give plenty of evidence. No doubt the insurance company knows the exact amount of damage to the tanker, but Einstein could not figure out the damage to the fish.
JOHNSTONE STRAITS.
The Sointula fishermen have had a chance to renew old acquaintances with our former secretary, Jack Gavin, who is running camp for Gosse Fisheries; also with Axel Anderson, who is skipper for Colonial Fish Co.
All in all, the gillnetters had a better start on the Straits than they •have had for years, but a lull is expected now, until the cohoe come —if they do come.
OWEN BAY.
Rev. and Mrs. Daglish of the interior of B.C. have returned to their home after a delightful visit with Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Walter of Owen Bay.
There has been quite a number of fish showing around Granite Bay and Deep Water but don't seem to wait for the fishermen to catch them in very large numbers.
The oil tanker that hit Ripple
RIVERS INLET.
Well, the rain has come at last. It began last night and has been coming down ever since. Old-timers say that this season has been one of the dryest in years.
There are about 160 gillnetters fishing here. Sockeye have all moved up to their spawning grounds. Cohoes are spotty; quite a number were taken recently in Moses Inlet—from the old cannery outward.
There were only two canneries operating here this year, Wad-hams and Goose Bay. Wadhams cannery closed last week and are packing the fish oaught by their gillnetters to Namu. Goose Bay is still operating and expects to process herring later. They may br-open till Christmas.
Louis Hogan has had a busy season and is still on the job.
By what we can learn there is going to be a big demand for dogfish livers this winter and quite a number of fishermen are going after them. As our dogfish is supposed to devour 10 herrings or their weight in edible fish per day, we wish them all the luck.
>ert
Cooperative Sales Good
The Kanawaka, packer of the Prince Rupert Fishermen's Cooperative Association, is reported as selling a load consisting of 28,000 pounds mild cure; 10,000 pounds red; 1,500 pounds white, and 80,000 pounds of aohoe, in the main to the Seaboard Fish Company, Ketchikan. The cohoe was the only part of the load which did not sell to that company but was bid in by the Inverness Cannery at 10.2 cents per pound. The other fish fetched prices of 18%c for mild cure; 11c for small red and 10lAc for white, all in United States funds.
The cooperative also sold, on August 19, 50,000 pounds of cohoe to the Cassiar Cannery at 10.5 cents per pound and on August 21, 50,000 pounds ->f cohoe to the Canadian Fish and Cold Storage Company at 10.3 cents per pound.
Commenting on their recent sales the Association states: "On the last three sales we have evidence of the results of the government's; action in cancelling the export of frozen cohoe after August 15. The canners know that the cold storage is out of the picture in a big way for buying cohoe. Inverness and the Canadian Fishing Company have canned considerable quantities of cohoe and are more or less satisfied and are not eager to pay any more big prices.
"The price at Butedale is still 9 cents and the price has not changed for the Kyuquot Trollers Co-operative. They are receiving 8% cents at their camps; 9 cents delivered at canneries on the west coast of Vancouver Island and 10 cents to 10'4 cents in Vancouver.
"From reports we have received from Ketchikan buyers, they like our spring salmon and we get a very good deal as far as grading is concerned, having only 135 lbs. of No. 2 mild cure and 7 lbs. No. 2 red on the sale to the New England Fish Company."
Labor Urged to Support PM
CHICAGO, 111. — Established nearly a year ago in New York, PM, daily newspaper of a "different sort," has found the going none too easy, but is still plugging away, hopeful that its worth will meet with the substantial recognition it deserves. On June 21, in collaboration with the Electrical Union Worker, PM issued a forty-page edition in the format now so famil-ior, telling the story of the strike of 1,600 employees of the Levison Manufacturing Co., Brooklyn, in all its sordid details. That organized labor in general has PM's friendly backing may be judged by the following extract from an editorial in the edition referred to: • "PM accepts no advertising. PM belongs to no political party. PM is absolutely free and uncensored. PM's source of income is from its readers—to whom it alone is responsible. PM is one newspaper that can and dares to tell the truth."
Here is an opportunity where labor can deliver one of its hardest punches. If the millions of men and women of labor will pass up Time, Life and The Saturday Evening Post, whioh arc unfair and non-union, and subscribe to the newspaper PM, they will have a staunch ally on the firing line during the total crisis we are facing.
the employees were well-satisfied with the outcome of the strike and that they appreciated the support organized labor had given them.
Under the agreement the company has agreed to recognize the union as the sole collective bargaining agency and agreed to negotiate at all times with the committee selected by the union. No discrimination is to be used against any member of the union because of union activities.
Conceding on their original demand for a 10 cent an hour increase, the workers agreed to accept an increase of five cents an hour retroactive to July 16. A cost of living bonus at the rate of $1.25 per week for each 5% increase in the cost of living is also to be paid as of August 1st, 1941.
Time and a half for overtime work on Saturdays and double time for Sundays and holidays was another concession included in the agreement and strict seniority rights are to prevail.
The agreement is to be in effect for one year, that is, until August 26, 1942.
Anti-Fascist Rally Here September 2
Sir George Paish noted English economist and former editor of The Statist, will speak at the Auditorium, 1805 West Georgia Street, here on Tuesday, September 2nd at 8:30 p.m. under the auspices of the Anti-Fascist Mobilization Committee for Aid to the Soviet Union. The subject of his address here will be The World's Unlimited Emergency and Cooperation with the Soviet tUnion.
Sir George is also well-known to Canadian and American audiences as an intelligent forceful speaker whose lucid explanations of international economic tangles clarify basic issues of competition and cooperation.
Mr. John Goss, the noted English singer will be Chairman. Other speakers including Prof. Giovanni Castigan, Ph. D., University o f Washington will, be heard and a massed choir will contribute to the program.
Board Upholds Union's Right of Bargaining
TORONTO, Ont.— A unanimous conciliation board report last week recommended that Acme Screw & Gear negotiate a contract with SWOC, which was chosen by the workers by a 10 to 1 vote a month ago. The workers struck nearly three months ago when the company refused to bargain.
Notice
(149) Juan de Fuca Strait, Between Pedder Bay and Be ether Bay — Amended Prohibited Area — Caution.
Nete: Notice to Mariners No. 89 (209) of 1940 is hereby cancelled.
Notice is hereby given, on the authority of the Commanding Officer Pacific Coast, that all waters surrounding the peninsular area situated between Pedder Inlet to Beecher Bay to limits of 2,000 yards from the shoreline are now classed as "Prohibited Area." Vessels desiring to enter this area will be required to contact the Examining Vessel operating off William Head in order to obtain permission to enter, and for identification purposes.
Failure to observe this order will render vessels liable to be fired on by the Shore Batteries.
C. P. EDWARDS, Deputy Minister.