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THE FISHERMAN
May 20, 1941
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THE
FISHERMAN the march of labor
Published Every Other Tuesday by Th« Fisherman Publishing Society at 164 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C. Telephone MArine 1829. EDITOR - - V. McCRAE Subscription Rates: One Year, $1.00; Six Menths, 60c. Advertising Rates on Application. Make All Payments to: THE FISHERMAN PUBLISHING SOCIETY
Misrepresentation
Representatives of the fishing industry, both Unions and Canners, are asking each other "Just where do we go from here?" The usual price negotiations on the salmon pack which should have been well under way at this time have not even started as we go to press. This pleasant state of affairs has been brought about by the Dominion Government's announcement that it has not, nor for that matter ever had, any intention of taking over the entire B.C. salmon pack.
Following the visit of Dr. D. B. Finn, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, to the coast and his discussions on behalf of the government with the industry, the belief was definitely prevalent that the Dominion government certainly entertained such a move. Whether Dr. Finn's statements were misconstruced by his listeners is open to question; but if this is the case, we can find some consolation in the fact that such misconceptions were general.
We do not believe that Dr. Finn himself would deny that the canners and fishermen were asked to submit a slate of prices to the government in four days from the time of his first meeting and by working night and day similar price lists were submitted by seine and gill net organizations to the government. These prices were considered reasonable in every respect, and in the opinion of the fishermen a fair answer to Dr. Finn's request that in submitting prices, the industry should not attempt to take advantage of Great Britain's urgent need for foodstuffs and demand exorbitant prices.
Any increases asked for over the 1939 prices which were taken as a basis, were, from the fishermen's angle, only sufficient to meet the sharp wartime increase in the cost of living plus very serious increases in the cost of gear. It is worthy of note that approximately at the same time as Dr. Finn was interviewing the industry in British Columbia, similar discussions on obtaining canned fish for Great Britain were being carried on in the United States and large orders placed for canned sardines. From various reports U.S. packers are of the opinion that Great Britain will absorb an exceptionally large share of this year's output of all varieties of Pacific coast canned fish, which would be purchased by an American agency under the Lend Lease arrangements between the United States and the United Kingdom.
We are now confronted with the problem that if the Canadian government will take no steps to assist in the marketing of the B.C. pack at prices which will enable the fishermen to earn a fair livelihood while U.S. fishermen are receiving benefits of higher prices and selling under the Lend Lease bill to Great Britain; the question now arises as to how we can possibly continue to operate as a potential source of canned foodstuffs for the British people while we are to receive no assistance to protect the living standards of our own B.C. men and their families. It is to be hoped that the disturbed and confusing situation now confronting us will be cleared away very shortly and definite guarantees made to the fishermen ueiore the season commences. So far, Dr. Finn's visit to the coast has certainly not had the effect that was expected of it and has done nothing to enhance the federal Department of Fisheries in the eyes of the fishermen.
Occupational Diseases
Like most industries in this highly industrialized world of ours, the progress of the fishing industry is hampered greatly by maladies which develop among those engaged in it.
Probably the most destructive and therefore the most important among these, is a form of "mental biliousness," known colloquially as "scissor-biliousness." Two reasons why this disease is particularly dangerous are, firstly, because those afflicted with it are unable to recognize its symptoms, and secondly, because those who are free from the disease have to share the physical suffering and bear the whole of the mental strain.
A common symptom is the use of conversational expressions such as "What the heck's the use of fighting over a half a cent, or even a cent," or "It's better to be out fishing for two dollars a day than to be tied up on strike and getting nothing." The sufferer never realizes that out of the five or six cents per pound that he gets for his fish from the canner only the last cent is his to keep and build up his season's stake; the remainder is paid back to the servicemen and the chisellers of the industry in what the fisherman should, but rarely does, call the cost of production.
A Scissorbill is a fisherman who discusses the possibilities of making a stake and uses six cents per pound as a basis for figuring. The remedy, of course, is to convince him that the cost of production must first be subtracted, and the discussion then must be based on what remains (if any). He would then find himself considering the situation from an entirely new standpoint. He will be talking of half-cent bluebacks or one-cent cohoes
When the patient reaches this.stage he is well on the road to recovery. To complete the cure he must be made to realize that if the price of fish is increased by one-seventh, that is, from 6 cents to 7 cents, then the fisherman's stake will be increased one hundred per cent. That is, from one cent per lb. to 2 cents per lb., with the result that the fisherman who would make $200 in a season at 6c would make $400 at 7c.
Scissor-biliousness may of course be recognized by many
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THE ABOLITION OF DEBTORS' PRISONS WAS ANOTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT TRACEABLE TO THE AGITATION Of LABOR UNIONS
IT WAS ESTIMATE* THAT THfrINDUSTRIAL CENTERS OF THE ATLANTIC COAST HAD NO LESS THAN
30O. OOO UNION LABORERS
BETWEEN 1930 AND 1937 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RELIEF EXPENDITURES AMOUNTED TO ABOUT 12O.0O0.O0O,
WHEN
EMPLOYEES WON THE 8-HOUR „ DAY IN 1868 THEIR PAY WAS CUT CORRESPONDINGLY. BUT IN 1872 PRESIDENT GRANT PROHIBITED. BY PROCLAMATION, SUCH WA6E DECREASES. AMD CONGRESS MADE PROVISION POR BACK PAY TO THOSE WHOSE WASES HAD 8EEH CUT.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT TO 6ET THE MOST FOR YOUR MONEY WHEN 5UYIN6 HATS / JUST LOOK FOR THE UNION LABEL UNDER THE SWEAT8ANO - YOUR GUARANTEE THAT the NAT WAS MADE OF CLEAN. NEW MATERIALS BY SKILLED CXAETSMIh}
Situation On Merger
( Continued from Page 1 )
For the information of the readers, the most recent correspondence changed between the 2 Unions follows the reprint of the merger resolution. MERGER RESOLUTION.
WHERAS we have examined all previous negotiations which were informal in character as to the feasibility of bringing a merger about and the decision of our official merger committee also as of February 10, 1941.
WHEREAS we find that there has been no lack of unity in our policy to organize all fishermen into one organization, and what steps were taken to lay a basis for the complete merger of the PCFU into Local 44 were carried through as well as could be expected and under all of those circumstances;
AND WHEREAS we have to report that our investigators have disclosed two very important factors in regards to the financial and bargaining position of the PCFU.
AND WHEREAS the present membership in good standing of the PCFU is only approximately 250, we feel that it would be impossible to obtain bargaining rights for these men this year, and they have also an indebtedness of approximately $1600;
AND WHEREAS the letter from the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada, dated March 17, 1941, does not clearly define our jurisdiction, although allowing us to accept the application of the PCFU into Local 44;
AND WHEREAS pending further clarification of our jurisdiction geographically and that of the B.C.F.P.A., from the Trades and Labor Congress;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the incoming Executive be authorized to put forward the following basic fundamental conditions as a basis of complete merger of the PCFU into Local 44:
(1) That the membership of the PCFU accept the entire Constitutions and by-laws of the UFFU.
(2) The UFFU shall not assume any debts of the PCFU.
(3) Each Local of the PCFU coming within our jurisdic-
tion shall become a branch of the UFFU and shall be under the jurisdiction of the General Executive Board of the Union.
(4) _The amount of monthly dues
shall be worked out by the Executives of both organizations.
(5) Following the merger the PCFU into the UFFU there shall be two representatives from the gillnetters' and trol-lers' section of the Union on the Executive Board.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the incoming Executive stand instructed that unless they see their way clear from a financial standpoint to handle the additional gillnet and trollers' section of the Union at the present time, they are authorized by this Convention to delay action for one year.
UFFU LETTER.
Dear Brother:
I am in receipt of a further communication from the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada dealing with our application for definition of jurisdiction.
I am informed by the Secretary of the Congress that, "This matter of jurisdiction cannot be decided upon until the Executive Council has an opportunity to review the whole situation." He further suggested that "Until it is demonstrated that your Local can organize gillnetters on a sound basis, then in our opinion ,this would be the time to get the British Columbia Fishermen's Protective Association and the United Fisheren's Union of British Columbia to arrive at a satisfactory settlement."
As you will readily see we are no closer to a definite settlement of this question with the Congress than before, and it appears futile to discuss between the two organizations any working agreement pending settlement of the jurisdictional question.
We must therefore confine ourselves to the straight question of briging about a merger and as a basis for further action in this respect we would appreciate it if you could outline to us by letter the Pacific Coast Fishermen's Union's objections to making
other symptoms, but in each case the treatment is the same. If allowed to run too long, the disease is liable to become incurable, and the sufferer will develop into a moral leper (known technically as a scab). However, if handled properly, only a small percentage should go that way.
While the patient is convalescing, it should be pointed out to him that the government built two institutions on the Fraser River, one for fish and one for fishermen. The one for fish is the hatchery, and the one for fishermen is the institution at Essondale. The government feels now that they are able to close down the hatchery, but Essondale is still going strong. When the convalescent is able to understand the reason for this, he is again safe to be allowed at large.
There is a general improvement in things which we use in everyday life and that improvement seems to have been steady for a good many years — likely for as long as there have been people.
However, there is sometimes a temporary recession in improvement in the quality and commodities and even of groups of people. For instance, I saw a bunch of fishermen playing poker a short time ago and there was a cannery manager and a net boss in the game. When the game broke up, the net boss and manager both had money left. In the days of my prime manhood, nothing like that would have been permitted.
• • • ♦
When I was a young fellow I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to get a chance to work in a bank.
When I realized the years were creeping up on me I started trying to figure out some way to work a bank. Result—I have come to the conclusion there ain't no way.
formal application to merge with the United Fishermen's Federal Union, Local 44, under the conditions outlined in the merger resolution adopted at our Third Annual Convention.
Also for the benefit of our Executive a written explanation of any commitments made by the Pacific Coast Fishermen's Union, specifically the fish dock and whether in the event of a merger there would be any financial obligations that would necessarily have to be borne by the one union.
There is some confusion among our Executive as to whether the PCFU or the Vancouver Local of the PCFU are responsible for monthly payments on the fish dock or not, due to the fact that we have never been acquainted with the terms of the contract.
The question of representation referred to in our merger resolution, we believe, is a matter that can be easily straightened out. Likewise, if there is any information that we can give you on any question, we would appreciate it if you could let us know by return. We feel that the matter of merger now rests in the hands of the two Unions and that we must demonstrate our ability to organize solidly the northern gill-net fleet before again bringing up the question of jurisdiction with the Trades Congress. Yours fraternally, W. T. Burgess, Secretary United Fishermen's Union, Local 44.
a time as it is practicable to do so.
Pacific Coast Fishermen's Union,
J. Donaldson, Sec.
The Executive Board of the United Fishermen's Union have never been fully aware of the terms of the contract of the Pacific Coast Fishermen's Union, Local Number 1, on the False Creek Fish Dock and must naturally determine what responsibility, if any, would have to be assumed financially should the merger be brought about. It must also be pointed out that in 1940, Section 2 of Article 9, U.F.F.U. Constitution, was amended to enlarge the general Executive Board to 14 members when the merging of the Salmon Purse Seiners Union and the United Fishermen's Union was accomplished. This gives fair and equal representation on the Board to pilchard and herring divisions, halibut division, salmon seiners' division and the tender-men's division. Section 5 of Article 3 states that no one shall be legible to be a member of this Union who owns one-quarter or over, in any seine vessel, halibut vessel, or packer. No reference in this article is made to owners of other classifications of boats.
Further discussions will be held and the readers informed in subsequent issues of the progress to effect the merger of the United Fishermen's Union and the Pacific Coast Fishermen's Union on a sound and workable basis.
PCFU LETTER.
Dear Sir and Brother:
I have been instructed by our Executive Board to convey to you the finding of our merger committee in reference to a lequest of your Executive Board by letter of May 9th inst.
In answer to the first question re objection of our union to the conditions outlined in your merger resolution, we find in your constitution, we feel that we must object to Sec. 2 Art. 3, which states that the initiation shall be $10.00, and the monthly dues $1.00.
Also that Sec. 5 Art. 3 should be amended or changed to conform with conditions as to size of packer or boat fishing halibut. Sec. 2 Art. 9 states that the Executive shall consist of five members, this point would also have to be clarified, so that we could work out the basis for representation.
We understand that your Executive at the present time consists of 14 members, and that two would not be a fair representation out of 14. However, as stated in your letter that point could be easily worked out.
It was agreed that should we merge that only debts for material that we had on hand should be taken into consideration and that all other debts and obligations would be handled by the PCFU. Also in regard to the proposed fishermen's wharf and the monthly rental, this matter is the sole business of the Vancouver Local and in no way obligates the Union as a whole into any commitment for the payment of any rent or any other obligations of any kind. We are pleased by the tone and direct action as suggested in your letter and hope that we can get together in the near future and work out the means whereby we can bring about a merger of our respective unions in as short
Special Dues Offer Made To P.C.F.A. Members
Brother Percy Sabin, president of the Pacific Coast Fishermen's Union, has issued the following statement for the information and guidance of the members of that union:
"I wish to call the attention of the PCFU members to the ruling that was made by the Executive Board in regard to members who are in arrears for their 1940-41 dues, viz: M.S.C. that those members who were unable to pay dues last year on account of low earnings be brought into good standing ' on payment of $3.00, this to go into effect unless vetoed by the paid-up membership before May 15.
"The executive board made this ruling in view of the fact that so many members were not in a financial position to pay the full dues they should now be allowed to come into good standing to June 1, 1941, by the payment of $3.00.
"It was felt that this procedure was the best way out of a difficult situation and would provide some part of the money necessary to pay our back debts.
"It was also felt that this arrangement would give those members who would like to continue in membership, a chance to do so without involving so large a payment as would be necessary if the full dues were charged.
"This offer holds good until June 1st.
"Yours for unity."
"The farmer's recognition of himself as a consumer and his union needs without paying tribute to anybody is the revolution in American agriculture now in operation. It is capable of saving the farmer and his farm. It can save America." —Dr. J. P. Warbasse.