ThefUherm&n
Representing the Organized Fishermen of British Columbia
Our
Fishermen Demand Compensation
VOL. II, No. 50
VANCOUVER, B.C., TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1940
(84)
PRICE: 5 Cents
PCFU VOTE FAVORS DUES INCREASE
-A
Fishermen's May Day Float Wins Second Prize
May Day turned out bright and warm in Vancouver to the delight of some 4000 persons who participated in this year's parade.
The fishermen's float ( winning second prize again this year, bore the slogan: "We Demand a Compensation Act for all Fishermen," "Inadequate Protection Drowns Our Fishermen and Red Tape Drowns Our Efforts," "S.O.S., We Need Compensation," "Fishermen's Wives Unite !" and "Read The Fisherman, the Only Paper representing organized fishermen of B.C."
This was in line with the present campaign of the unions for coverage of fishermen under the Workmen's Compensation Act.
Some 400 fishermen and their wives followed their float, also carrying banners and slogans of "Confucius say," "Join Your Union and Raise Your Pay," "Conservation Without Starvation," "Down with Fish Traps" and "Every Fisherman a Union Man."
The largest section of the parade was the single and married unemployed whose float showing the need for a works program as the only salvation to unemployment tied with the floats of the Housewives' League for first prize. Their float depicted the rising cost of living by a large car showing the consumers' dollar last August, followed by a small car showing the smaller dollar of today.
The International Woodworkers of America depicted their slogan of "Boost our pay a buck a day" on a float and the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union entered a float bearing the slogan: "Safeguard Living Standards, Organize the Unorganized."
A youth contingent carried a banner calling for "No Conscription" and eight colorfully decorated bicycles with the slogan "Youth Opposes Conscription" followed behind the banner.
The Advocate entered a float decorated in black and white depicting on one side the blackout of the truth and the other the un-censored news. This float won honorable mention.
There were contingents of Chinese, Ukrainians, Croatians, Surrey workers and Farmers Assoc., the Canadian Labor Defense League, and the Workers Alliance of New Westminster making up the parade.
The May Day Committee issued tags bearing the slogan "Safeguard Labor's Rights; Repeal the War Measures Act," which were sold to those in the parade and to bystanders along the way.
Guest speaker of the day was James Litterick, Communist M.L.A. of Winnipeg, who was enthusiastically received by the audience of some 6,000 at Stanley Park.
Other speakers were Grant Mac-Neil, speaking for the CCF, Nigel Morgan, International Woodworkers of America, Mrs. Hartley, Housewives' League, Fergus Mc-Kean, Communist Party, and Mayor Telford.
Speaking of the gasoline strike, the Mayor said it was the first time he had been a strikebreaker "and damned glad of it."
The chairman of the meeting was James Thompson of the Inland Boatmen's Union.
May Day wound up with a gala dance at the new Croatian Educational Home under the auspices of the C.L.D.L.
United Fishermen's Union Fakes Over New Hall
P.C.F.U. And Fisherman Publishing Society Move Upstairs at Old Address
The union hall at 164 East Hastings looks pretty bare these days and is exceptionally quiet. This can all be attributed to the moving of Local 44, United Fishermen's Union and the Inland-boatmen's Union to new headquarters at 138 East Cordova St.
The new hall, formerly a Scandinavian Mission, has been bought by the U.F.F.A. and makes a very attractive home for the union. It ir a concrete building, one storey high, with offices, large hall, reading room and spacious basement outfitted with showers. Union officials and members are very enthusiastic about the new quarters
ATTENTION, U.F.F.U. MEMBERS!
The Pacific Coast Labor Bureau of Canada, which has been retained to assist our Union in negotiations with the connery operators, has put out an Earnings Record Questionnaire. The information contained in this questionnaire will be treated in the strictest confidence, and data compiled will be used only by total and not by individual.
It is most important that all members immediately secure their questionnaire from the Union hall and answer it PROMPTLY and fully within the next week. If you find it impossible to secure your earnings record phone or write your Union hall or Brother Wigdor at TRinity 0639 and every assistance will be tendered.
and many are busy helping to put it in shape.
The two front offices are occupied by the newly amalgamated Local 44 and salmon purse seiners while the I.B.U. have an office with a separate side entrance at the rear of the building.
This move has been anticipated by Local 44 for some time and with the merger going through, thus necessitating larger quarters for union meetings, etc., they made the final arrangements necessary to take over this building.
All members will note the new address, 138 East Cordova Street, phone MArine 4046.
The offices upstairs in the old headquarters, which were formerly occupied by Local 44, have now been taken over by the Pacific Coast Fishermen's Union and the Fisherman Publishing Society. This will mean no change in address for these two organizations.
NEW YORK. — An agreement giving seamen in offshore and in-tercoastal trade pay raises of $10 a month was announced recently by the American Merchant Marine Institute and the National Maritime Union (Congress of Industrial Organizations).
The fishermen's May-Day float which won 2nd prize, May 1,1940
Negotiations Qpened Between Unions And Canners
On Tuesday, April 30, cannery operators and fishermen came together to discuss the situation as regards salmon and pilchard prices, etc., for the coming season.
Although no price schedules were proposed by either party at this meeting, we understand the discussion was of a general character, dealing with world qonditions and market possibilities in a war situation, etc. •,_A<^ The operators did stress what in
SAVINGS CLUB MEETINGS
All members of the Vancouver, PCFU Savings Club are advised of the meeting to be held on Saturday, May 18th, at 164 E. Hastings Street at 1 p.m. sharp.
As it is the last meeting to be held until fall it is to be hoped that all members will make a special effort to attend.
Mrs. Ivy Bale, Secretary.
flay Day Com'tee. Expresses Thanhs
The Fishermen's May Day Committee of the P.C.F.U. and U.F.U. Local 44 wish to thank Begg Motors for the loan of one of their new trucks which enables us to have a float in the May Day Parade. We wish also to thank Turners Boat Works for the loan of one of their boats.
Appreciation is also expressed to Hanson's Machine Works for the use of their warehouse during the time the truck was being decorated.
The help given by the members of the Women's Auxiliary, assisted the committee a great deal and was quite a factor in making it possible for the float to win second prize.
398-Pounder Caught On Fraser
There is at least one fisherman can say truthfully that he caught one "THAT" long. He is "Gramps" Onotera, a Japanese fisherman from Sunbury. He had a fight with a 398-pound sturgeon—and won.
Although we have no pictures to prove it, it is said that the fish was a good ten feet long.
It would be quite a big moment in anyone's life landing' a catch like that. Congratulations, "Gramps!"
VAN. FISH PRICES
Following wholesale fish prices obtained at Campbell Avenue Dock at Vancouver on Mojiday, May 6: Ling Cod
Large and Baby .........4V£c Hi.
Medium ...................6c lb.
White Spring Salmon
Salt water .................6c lb.
Fraser River (round) ... ,8c lb. Bed Spring Salmon .. 11c s 13c lb.
Soles ........................6c lb.
Grey Cod ....................2c lb.
Halibut,, large ..............7.4c lb.
Medium .................9.6c lb.
Chicken .................8.5c lb.
their opinion was a tough outlook as far as markets were concerned and that there would have to be a reduction in prices this year, while the fishermen representatives on the other hand countered with the known facts of increased cost of living, which warranted an increase in prices over that paid last year.
However, it was mutually agreed to meet again when either party had something concrete to put forward. It is expected that further meetings will be held this week, with representatives of the United Fishermen's Union for the seiners and the Pacific Coast Fishermen's Union for the gillnetters and troll-ers.
Cannery salmon prices for the 1940 salmon season were discussed by canners and fishermen on May 6, 1940, when representatives of the P.C.F.U. met representatives of the six cannery companies who will be interested in Eluebacks.
The prices offered for Blueback were 5c round and 6c dressed, compared with 6Vic and 8c paid last year; with spring prices to remain the same in the Gulf.
As the canners give these prices as final, the Blueback Locals of the P.C.F.U. will be informed and opinions invited.
Members of the negotiating committee expressed the opinion that in view of the prices suggested by the P.C.F.U. Locals it is certain that the offer will be refused.
The Blueback price will be the precedent for the season and if the Blueback fishermen find it necessary to go to the mat, it will be up tc the remainder of the coast to back them up.
Cannery Companies represented at the meeting were B.C. Packers, Colonial Packers, Nelson Bros., Queen Charlotte Fisheries, Francis Millerd and Canadian Fishing Company.
Discussions on the system of collections were deferred until the next meeting. Last year, all fish were collected by one company and delivered by quota to the five companies included in the contract. While in previous years all fish have been delivered to one or two companies, whether the fishermen will decide to return to the old system will be decided later.
SEATTLE FISH PRICES
Following are the prices at Seattle for Saturday, May 4: Trolled Springs, large ......17c Jb.
Small ....................14c lb.
White ...............10-12^c lb.
Ling Cod ..................Z%c lb.
Crabs, Puget Sohnd ......35c doz.
Many Difficulties Solved By Successful Ballot
On May Day the PCFU referendum ballot closed, and on May 2 a ballotting committee consisting of eight members from six locals, counted the ballots. The result was approximately three to one in favor of the raise. This means that the dues of the PCFU after June 1 will be $9 per year for power boatmen and $5 per year for helpers and those who operate boats without power.
Great satisfaction was expressed
Quick Action Prevents Loss Of Boat
A fire broke out in Jimmy McKay's "Cowan Lee" recently when he was just pulling away from a gas station in Gibson's Landing. Evidently there was a little fire in the stove and the fumes from the gas he had been getting caused the fire.
Efforts to extinguish it failing, Jimmy knocked a hole in the bottom of the boat and sunk hei\ Later she was refloated and it was found there was not much damage done by the fire except inside the cabin.
GEORGE MILLER, recently appointed business agent of the newly amalgamated Local 44, U.F.F.U.
George Miller Appointed Bus. Agent
At the first meeting of the newly amalgamated Local 44, United Fishermen's Union final steps necessary to complete the merger of the two fishermen's unions, i.e. the S.P.S.U. and U.F.F.U., were taken.
George Miller, former secretary of the Salmon Purse Seiners Union, was unanimously elected as Business Agent of Local 44 to assist Secretary Bill Burgess with the many duties and organizational tasks facing the executives of such a powerful organization as the U.F.F.U. Three members of the former executive board of the S.P.S.U. were added to the board of the U.F.F.U. They were George Miller, Marion Ruljanovich and Cliff Cook.
The Cooperative Society, recently formed by the U.F.F.U., is open to all its new members as well as old and it is hoped that the' members will all take as active a part as possible in this Society, which was formed primarily for the purpose of buying the new building. Shares in the society are now on sale and are valued at $5.00 each.
As a final "top-off" for the merger, the U.F.F.U. held a big celebration dance in the new Croatian hall last Friday night, May 3rd. It was (as are all fishermen's dances) a "howling" success in every respect.
by those close to headquarters who know of financial difficulties under which the Union has been struggling during the past few years.
Better and more efficient methods of collecting dues will be a subject to which the Union will have to give quite a bit of thought before the next convention.
Questioned on the possible effects of the higher dues, Sec. Vic Hill remarked that "only those who have been directly engaged in the handling of the Union's affairs could really understand what this means to the fishing industry."
Labor Election Won By CIO
DETROIT.—The United Automobile Workers, CIO, crushed the AFL in the largest labor board election in history, held among 136,000 workers in 59 plants in General Motors.
The CIO won 49 plants, including all of the large key plants of the corporation. The AFL won five small plants employing 5,000 workers, as against the 160,000 employed in plants won by the CIO.
R. J. Thomas, President of the United Automobile Workers, CIO, stated:
"The vote is decisive and democratic expression of preference for the policies of the CIO in the major industry of the Nation.
"Once again, I want to cite the important contribution to peaceful labor relations made through the machinery of the Wagner Act. The overwhelming number of eligible voters who took advantage of their right to vote should be a salient indication to politicians bent on destroying the Act that the masses of workers are solidly behind the Act."
Walter P. Reuther, Director ot the General Motors department of the U.A.W., declared: "This ends the AFL in the auto industry. It clears the path for contsructive labor relations between one union, UAW-CIO, and General Motors Corporation."
The results of the voting made public, the UAW-CIO pressed General Motors for an immediate conference, looking to a revised agreement. Demands of the CIO in behalf of the GM workers are for a general wage increase, shop steward system, improved seniority system, vacations with pay and joint adjustment on disputes production standards.
Soohe Fish Trap Licenses Renewed
We have received information from the Fisheries Department that the licenses for the five fish traps in the Sooke area have been renewed for this year.
The results of the trap enquiry held this winter are not yet forthcoming but it is the hope of organized fishermen that this will be the last year these licenses will be issued for the traps.
LONDON. — The report of the commissioners of inland revenue for the 1937-38 fiscal year discloses that Britain had 1024 sterling millionaires—persons with £1,000,000, the then equivalent of about $4,-800,000. That was an increase of 107 millionaires in a year.