TReTi/herman
Representing the Organized Fishermen and Shoreworkers of British Columbia
VOL. XIII. No. 20. (538)
VANCOUVER, B.C., TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 1951
Price: 5 Cents
VANCOUVER FISHERMEN
Meeting This Friday, June 22, at 7:30 p.m.
FISHERMEN'S HALL - 138 EAST CORDOVA
SALMON FLEET EJECTS OFFER Y 95 PERCENT
All Localities Urged To Make Preparations For Tie-Up July 1
Result of the ballot on the salmon price offer made by the Salmon Canners Operating Committee on May 31 indicates that 95 percent of the membership of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union, the Native Brotherhood of B.C., and the Vessel Owners Association are prepared to strike on July 1 unless higher prices are received.
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I TIE-UP PREPARATIONS 1
"Wing" Hits Hot Wire
—Courtesy Vancouver News-Herald The newly built 40 foot troller "Sea Wing" ran into trouble on June 12 even before tasting salt water when she snapped a live trolley wire at Twelfth Avenue and Cambie Street in Vancouver. The boat can be seen above with the wire in the foreground and the City Hall in the background. The troller, owned and built by J. Holm of 550 Cliffe, Burnaby, snapped the wire and sent sparks shooting into the air, but fortunately, no-one was hurt. The vessel was later launched safely at Granville Island and will shortly join the west coast trolling fleet.
ABC Expresses Agreement
Union Anti-Discrimination Policy Outlined In Letter To Companies
Letters sent out June 5 to fishing companies by the UFAWU enclosing the resolution passed at the Union convention this year which condemns racial discrimination by members of the Union or Companies on the fishing grounds or at processing plants, have so far brought replies from two firms, one of which expresses agreement with the views expressed in the resolution and the other asking for extra copies of the letter for use by the Company. All Companies were sent correspondence on the subject.
Colonial Packers asked for a*" number of extra copies of the letter which includes the Union reso-
lution, while Anglo British Columbia Packing Company has written stating that, "We entirely agree with the views you expressed, which, as you are doubtless aware, are m keeping with the policy of our Company."
Mr. R. Bell-Irving, writing on behalf of H. Bell-Irving and Company, Agents for ABC, declares that, "When Japanese fishermen were again permitted to return to the coast and were granted equal rights, we issued instructions to our management that our gillnet-ters, irrespective of ancestry, were to be treated alike.
"It must be remembered," Mr. Bell-Irving points out, "that prior to the war, the Japanese preferred to stay together and help each
W.A. Supports Beef Strike
The Vancouver Local of the Women's Auxiliary to the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union has announced full support lor the Canadian Congress of Women in their campaign against the high price of beef.
Starting Friday, June 15, they have pledged not to buy any beef for at least a full week and urge all other housewives to cooperate in buying no beef for that particular week as a protest against the high prices.
Fish is just as protein-rich as meat, and a lot cheaper.
FlgH VRICES
VANCOUVER TO FISHERMEN—
Prices to fishermen at Campbell Avenue dock, Friday, June 15. Spring Salmon—
(Fraser River Rd.) -------- 25c lb.
Sole.........-............—.....— 9c lb.
Grey Cod - ..... ......------------- 5c lb.
Ling Cod ....... ................ 8-10c lb.
Point Grey Herring.........._ 8c lb.
Smelts...............................— 15c lb.
Rock, Red Cod -...............- 4c lb.
Skate Fish........................... 3c lb.
SEATTLE TO FISHERMEN—
Friday, June 15 Salmon—
Red Spring, large............ 41c lb.
Red Spring, small.........._ 32c lb.
White Spring .....-.........-~ 28c lb.
Petrale sole................-......— 11c lb.
English sole ..........-----.......-- 9c lb.
True cod (rd.) .....--------------- 5c lb.
other as a group, a practice we feel should not be denied to any group, whether Japanese or otherwise, who may wish to follow it.
"It is for us to ensure that all gillnetters choosing to fish for us are provided with adequate facilities whether net racks, net storage, etc., necessitating additions and possible improvements as and when our gillnet fleet increases."
Concluding, Mr. Bell - Irving wrote that "We are not aware of any cases of discrimination or preconceived segregation of any section of our gillnetters and would welcome being advised promptly should any of your members within our organization have cause to complain."
The full resolution passed by the convention and cited in the letter, reads as follows:
WHEREAS: Reports from the fishing grounds during the 1950 season indicate that some discrimination had been practiced against Japanese Canadians, members of our Union;
AND WHEREAS: At both Rivers Inlet and the Naas, Japanese members were compelled to seek other camps due to the refusal of white fishermen to share the net rack float;
AND WHEREAS: Some companies have contributed to this discriminatory sentiment by providing separate net racks for Japanese at some camps even when no demand for same had been made by white fishermen;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That this convention goes on record as condemning any form of racial discrimination between its members either on the fishing grounds or at processing plants;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That where any form of discrimination between Union members becomes evident, the Local in whose jurisdiction it occurs shall immediately oppose it and inform Headquarters of the fact and if it occurs at a camp on the grounds, delegates shall take like action to the extent of laying charges as provided in the Constitution;
AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: That the operators be informed our constitution does not tolerate racial discrimination and that they be asked to cooperate with the Union1 in seeing that no separate racks or floats be established on a race basis.
In a letter to the Companies, Union secretary Homer Stevens stated that, "It is definitely our intention to take up any individual cases of discrimination that may
believe that by outlining our policy to you at this time, it should not be necessary to have to present grievances on this matter at a later date."
It is also suggested that the matter be considered by the Salmon Canners Operating Committee, in addition to each company.
The offer voted on was 23 V?. cents for sockeye, 16 Vz cents for cohoe, 8.3 cents for pinks, and %Vi cents for chums.
A letter dated June 16 has gone cut to the fishermen with an appeal from the joint negotiating committee that "All Locals of the Union and branches of the Brotherhood in all areas immediately proceed with the election of joint strike committees."
Strike committees, it is pointed out, should include representatives from both the UFAWU and the Native Brotherhood.
The letter also asks that as soon as strike committees are elected, ' the names of the chairman, secretary-treasurer and other committee members be forwarded to headquarters. In addition, the joint communication advises fishermen to make plans for pickets to patrol all areas in the event that it is necessary to proceed with strike action.
Union or Brotherhood members who are or will be in any of the fishing areas such as the Skeena and Naas rivers, Smiths or Rivers Inlets, or other points, are also urged to form strike committees at the plants or camps where they are making their headquarters.
Even though fishing is already open on the Naas and Skeena, and will open next week-end on Rivers and Smiths, no fishing will be allowed on and after July 1 unless a price offer has been received which is satisfactory to the majority of the fishermen concerned. Meetings are still going on between the Salmon Canners and the joint committee of fishermen and vessel owners in an effort to reach a settlement before the July 1 deadline.
At a negotiating meeting held last Thursday, the first since bal-lotting on the May 31 offer had been completed, the joint negotiating committee told Canners that 95 per cent of the salmon fleet favored strike action unless minimum prices are considerably higher than offered by the companies.
They were told that a special ballot had been taken throughout the industry asking fishermen to give their minimum settling prices. The committee had carefully reviewed the results, and after considering all the aspects to the matter, had drawn up a new price scale which members were prepared to recommend to the fleet for acceptance.
The jiew price schedule which the committee presented to Operators is as follows:
ALL AREAS
Sockeye.........._______27 cents per lb.
Cohoe ...................— 21 cents per lb.
Pinks _____________________ 11 cents per lb.
Summer chums ... 9 cents per lb.
S. Gosling, Hakai Lights Pledged
At least two of the navigational aids requested by the UFAWU through its committee on navigational aids some time ago will be provided by the department of transport, according to a letter received by the Union last week from Deputy Minister J. C. Lessard.
"Arrangements are being made to instal an automatic light on South Gosling and near Starfish Island at the outer entrance to Hakai Pass, and it is hoped to have these lights in operation in the near future," Mr. Lessard wrote.
The deputy minister reported that, though the request was made some time ago, the district marine agent at Prince Rupert was unable to make an examination of the sites asked for by the Union until recently. The agent found that it would be "quite feasible" to place the lights as requested at Hakai Pass and South Gosling.
In reference to a request from the Union that the volume of the fog alarm at Amphritite Point be increased, Mr. Lessard has written to say that, "No funds are available out of this year's estimates for major changes at the station under reference, but a new instrument will Be provided and other minor changes will be made which, it is hoped, will effect considerable improvement."
The Fishermen's Co-op had previously made the same request of the Minister of Transport as that made by the Union.
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See SALMON—Page 2
Area 2A Take Exceeds Quota
Total catch of halibut from Area 2A this season amounted to 26,-042,000 pounds, more than half a million pounds over the quota allotted for the area.
As at June 9, landings from Area 3 were reported as being 14,000,000 pounds. This compares with 11,-000,000 pounds to June 11 last year.
Closure has been set at midnight of June 25, when it is expected that the 28,000,000-pound quota for this area will have been taken.
Rockfish (black) .............—. 5c lb.
Ling cod (dressed)............ 11c lb. occur, as quickly as possible. We
Salmon Tendermen
SPECIAL MEET
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27
8 p.m.
The "Chiquita III," UFAWU organizing vessel, left this morning (Tuesday) for a trip up the Gulf with her destination Rivers Inlet. The "Chiquita HI," which has organizers Bob Hannah and Ted Foort aboard, will arrive in Rivers Inlet in time for the June 24 opening of the sockeye season there. She just returned last week from a short trip to Gulf points.
The organizing vessel will remain in the Rivers and Smith's Inlet area for the best part of the season, whether or not there is a 51IIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1IIIIIIIIIIIII1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN strike.
I FISHERMEN'S HALL
138 East Cordova 1
| Elect Strike Committees, \ 1 Send Information To Union I
1 Salmon fishermen in all areas on the coast have =
§ been asked by the*joint price negotiating committee to =
| set up strike committees immediately and to pass on 1
I information to headquarters of the UFAWU on this and §
| other matters without delay. Here is what the com- |
i mittee asks fishermen to do: 1
H • Elect strike committees prior to June-24 and forward names =
= to headquarters of the United Fishermen and Allied Work- =
= ers Union at 138 East Cordova Street in Vancouver. • =
S • Inform headquarters of any required additions or changes to =
mailing lists for delegates and local secretaries.
= • Advise headquarters where to send wires for any last minute =
vote on prices or final instructions on strike action.
S • Note that all information will from now on likely be sent by |j
wire. Give names and addresses or points of contact on s
= Skeena, Naas, Rivers and Smith's Inlets, Barkley Sound and = £j all other points.
§j • Arrange in all areas and locals for special last minute meet- = •E ings on Thursday, June 28.
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Firearm LicenceQuestion To Be Pursued By Union
F. R. Butler, British Columbia Game Commissioner, has made a proposal in reply to the UFAWU convention request that fishermen be permitted to carry firearms aboard their fishing vessels without a licence, but Mr. Butler's solution to the matter has been termed by the Union executive board
" " - ----------------»•? as unsatisfactory.
AT LADNER
Strawberry Social!
— and —
Bingo Evening
TUESDAY, .TUXE 20 9 p.m.
LADNER CO-OP HALL
• Sponsored by Social Committee qf the Ladner Fishermen's Co-op Hall.
Conciliation Board For Tendermen
Establishment of a conciliation board appears to be the next step in the dispute between Salmon Canners and tendermen members of the UFAWU and the Native Brotherhood of British Columbia.
Up to the week-end, two meetings had been held with conciliation officer Reg Clements, but attempts to bring the two parties together on settlement terms appear to have failed, though one further meeting was scheduled to take place early this week. Disagreement is over wages and other conditions.
Tendermen are reminded that vessels must clear with the Union before sailing and a report will be made on this matter in the next issue of The Fisherman.
A further meeting of the packer crews has been called for Wednesday, June 27, at 8 o'clock in the Fishermen's Hall.
Union secretary Homer Stevens has been instructed to arrange a meeting with the game commissioner and Attorney-General Gordon Wismer as soon as salmon price negotiations are completed for the purpose of further explaining the position taken by the UFAWU and trying to arrive at a proper solution to the problem.
In his letter to the Union, dated June 11, Mr. Butler quotes a letter sent by the game commissioner to Mr. Wismer last month.
In the letter he suggested to Mr. Wismer that "Where a commercial fisherman considers his boat as his permanent place of residence, we would grant him a sundry (free) permit to have a firearm on a boat, provided that it was sealed, such seal to be placed on the weapon by a representative of this department."
Game Commissioner Butler wrote to the Union that he would welcome the opportunity of discussing the matter with General Secretary Stevens at any time.
The Union resolution on firearms passed at the 1951 convention and also favored by the Fishermen's Co-op Association, calls for a change in law that would prevent the violation of the privacy of a man's home when on J.he water, and a change in the Provincial Game Act that would enable commercial fishermen to carry firearms on their boats without a licence and without fear of prosecution.
Chiquita Heads For Rivers, Smiths
Trollers Asked To Go Carefully
A fishermen's meeting at Kil-donan has asked the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union to request trollers to proceed with caution in the Barkley Sound area to avoid cutting gillnets.
The suggestion was made that Companies should post notices at all camps advising trollers to be more careful.
There are some 70 gillnetters operating in the Alberni Canal. While fishing has been none too good, there have been some sockeye showing. One gillnetter reports that for the week starting June 5, he turned in 215 fish, with 16 of them on Monday and 65 Tuesday of that week. Fishing is described as "spotty."'