From page 1
SHOREWORKERS,TENDERMEN VOTE FOR STRIKE
"Meanwhile, companies have slashed prices to fishermen by reducing competition and bonus systems and raised prices to consumers. The association companies have profiteered by paying as little as possible for fishermen's labor power, wages to shoreworkers and tendermen, and charging consumers in Canada and around the world all that the traffic will bear."
This, surely, is the heart of the matter: the monopoly power of an industry increased and consolidated since the negotiating struggle of two years ago yet paradoxically its cries of "weak markets and spiralling costs"; the necessity of industry-wide determination not to allow workers on the grounds and in the shoreplants to be made the scapegoats.
This, the association has made abundantly clear, is exactly what it wishes. Its last offer to the union is no different from 1974 contract terms and represents a drastic cut in the take-home pay of all fishermen.
For shoreworkers — who already have demonstrated how they feel with a smashing 90 percent rejection — the association's generosity extends to a proposed 52 cents an hour wage increase, or from approximately 9 to 11 percent according to classification.
The association claims its rates would make B.C. cannery workers the highest paid fish cannery workers in North America.
"Why shouldn't they be?" was UFAWU secretary Jack Nichol's retort. "You work in the richest fishing industry in North America. Because workers are ripped off in Alaska, Puget Sound and California — by Canfisco and B.C. Packers, we might add — is no reason to import substandard conditions to B.C."
The offer of $1.02 an hour to tradesmen also is inadequate, leaving them far short of the desired parity with forest industry trade rates, Nichol added.
Tendermen would fare even worse with the companies' ridiculous offer of $50 to $55 a month — an approximate five percent wage increase in an era of 20 percent wage settlements.
To return to fishermen... they are demanding per pound for net caught round salmon, 80 cents for sockeye; 45 for pinks; 80 for coho; 65 for chums; $1.10 for red springs 10 pounds and up; 80 for red springs under 10 pounds; $2 for roe sold on the grounds. The demand for white springs is the same as for red.
The union seeks a minimum price agreement for troll salmon as a key factor in contract demands this year: $1.04 a pound. for dressed sockeye on the grounds; 60 cents for pinks; $1.04 for coho; 65 cents for chums; $1.54 for red and white springs 10 pounds and up; $1.30 for springs 6 to 10 pounds, and $1 for those under 6 pounds. Trollers also would seek the same price as net fishermen for roe sold on the grounds.
The association refused to budge on the welfare fund. Fishermen demand one cent a pound payable on all salmon delivered to the companies. The companies are adamant in their refusal to bear the cost of fishermen's medical and dental plans, reiterating their old argument about fishermen not being employees to justify the refusal.
Fishermen want a contract condition this year ensuring that seine crews receive regular crew percentages of total gross stock. Again, the companies offer an uncompromising "No."
They will not move either on two other key demands: that fishermen renting gillnetters receive the same prices as those paid to boat owners, and that the companies pay half of Canada Pension Plan premiums.
On June 11 the companies announced they would be prepared to extend terms and conditions of the last contract for one more season. In other words, they would pay only last year's minimums. Fishermen on the grounds are being paid only these minimums, not what they received last season.
Those meagre minimums are, 12 / THE FISHERMAN —
in cents per pound: sockeye (all areas) 52; coho, 42; pinks (all areas) 22; chums (Areas 5, 6, 7, 8, 12,13,19, 20) 27, (all other areas) 241/2; red springs 12 pounds, and up, 65; white springs, same as chums if canned.
It was only after a great deal of thought and soul-searching that the union's general executive board reached a decision to recommend August 1 for a strike deadline encompassing all three sections of the membership.
A special bulletin issued June 25 to union members reviewed the difference of opinion that has existed regarding the advantages of an early or late deadline, stressing the paramount need for unity as ~a strike — on whatever date — nears.
"In recommending August 1, the board remains acutely aware of the fact that the shoreworkers' committee favored an earlier deadline," the bulletin stated.
"The board was also fully informed of the reasons why an earlier deadline of July 11 was the shoreworkers' choice."
Summed up, the position of the shoreworkers' committee basically was as follows.
• A large influx of very short-term employees later in the season presents a danger, namely their use by the companies as a means of diluting the strength of union members whose major source of livelihood is at stake.
• The experience of 1973 demonstrates that an early strike can be successful.
• Too many salmon may be caught by August 1 and strike effectiveness blunted.
The fishermen's consensus, weighed with equal gravity by the board, can be summed up thus.
• July salmon runs this year are expected to be light compared with 1973. Rivers Inlet is expected to be a disaster. Fraser River runs will be light. Only the Skeena-Nass area hold any real hopes for sizeable runs.
• Major runs are expected in August,  with   Juan  de Fuca
opening August 3 and more substantial runs occurring in August in most parts of the coast.
• Among fishermen the prevailing feeling is that all sections should be mobilized at the same time.
• An equally strong (-mviction is that all sections of the salmon fleet should share the burden and sacrifice of a strike.
The board based its decision on a consideration of three major questions, which the special bulletin sums up as:
• The urgent need for unity against the big multi-national corporations which dominate the Fisheries Association.
• The need for united strike action which will win the best possible wages and working conditions and minimum prices for all three sections of the union's membership.
• The need for the kind of unity which will bind union members closer together to face employers in future negotiations.
"In essence, the board is recommending to all members
that in 1975 we use our heads, our experience and our best possible judgment," Stevens summed up. "That we recognize all the problems of all sections of our membership. That we act in a united manner. That, above all, we act in a democratic manner.
"On strike strategy, the idea of majority rule may not be quite so vital. Differences over strike deadlines, or other vital matters of strategy may continue to be debated or even cause separate actions.
"But, when we all face the same opposition — namely the profiteers in the big multinationals — surely we must recognize the need for democracy. Democracy in which the minority are willing to join with the majority and the majority will also respect and understand the minority."
Victoria strike headquarters, it was announced, will be at Hall B, Trade Union Centre, 2750 Quadra Street, effective July 14.
Telephone numbers there are 385-1519 and 385-1826.
Join us today—you may need us tomorrow!
YOUR OWN CREDIT UNION -THE SAFE PLACE TO SAVE
Savings" Plans • Mortgages and Consumer Loans • Retirement Savings Plans • Safe Deposit Boxes   • Travellers' Cheques, etc.
OUT-OF-TOWN MEMBERS
we have a "Deposit-by-mail" service . . . and you can pay your household bills through personal chequing account.
Compare these rates —
SHORT TERM DEPOSITS
ONE YEAR
Minimum $1000 Not withdrawable
81/2%
Per annum
6 MONTHS
81/4%
Per annum Minimum $1000
3 MONTHS
8%
Per annum Minimum $5000
All rates subject to change without notice.
The Provincial Share and Deposit Guarantee Fund
protects the shares and deposits of ail individuals in every credit union in British Columbia.
HOURS OF BUSINESS:
9 a.m. TO5 p.m. - FRIDAYS 9 a.m. TO 6 p.m. OPEN SATURDAY 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CLOSED MONDAYS
The Symbol of Savings Satisfaction
Gulf & Fraser FISHERMEN'S Credit Union
803 East Hastings Street
Vancouver 4, B.C.
Telephone 254-6266
JUNE 27, 1975