fs B.C. LUMBER WORKER OP FEDERATION FISHERMAN’S CO: SERFDOM TO FREEDOM IN FIFTEEN YEARS By G. D. Ferg, Local 1-357, IWA “(Continued From Last Issue) In 15 years, West Coast fishermen haye raised their lot from one of near serfdom to one of independence and security, through Co- operatives, Credit Unions and their various ramifications. This is the second and final article telling their story of courage, hard work and achievement. No longer do West Coast fish- ermen haye to take what prices they can get when they arrive at the docks or fish camps. Upon delivery of fish to the-Co- ops, they receive an initial pay- ment, Then as the fish are sold, they receive a further interim payment, and at the end of the fiscal year, when all accounts and expenses are computed, the final payment is made. The fishermen get all monies received from sales, etc., less the cost of operating their Co-op. No profit is taken out anywhere along the line. All Co-operators receive the same price per pound for their fish, (with, of course, differences in grade and species), whether they land their fish in January, April, May, or any other month of the fiscal year. No matter what, private opera- tors are paying, the Co-operators know they will get all that their own efficient sales organization will get them. In their Consumer Stores, fish- ermen make savings on their pur- chases through patronage divi- dends. To get some idea of the scope of these stores, they are scat- tered along the West Coast of Vancouver Island, up the Coast and at the fish camps, so that, when a fisherman dumps his fish, he can load-up with supplies from his own store. ef At Prince Rupert, the sales last year amounted to $800,000, quite a sizable retail business in any- body’s language. Also at Rupert, the Co-op has one of the finest modern bake- houses in B.C. ‘The most_ sensational and spectacular Co-op development among the fisherman is in the growth of their Credit Unions. The assets of the Fishermen's Credit Unions all combined, were trebled from 1947-1948, The Prince Rupert Credit Union is the second largest Credit Union in Western Canada, and has assets in excess of $1,000,000, It operates a chequing service for its members, (some of whom think they can get money out al- most too handily), so that fisher- men may obtain cash when away from home. The other Gredit Unions, the Gulf and Fraser, and the West Coast have total’ assets close to $500,000. Besides providing $1,000,000 for boat repairs, purchase of gear, and the other many uses, these fellows have for money, the Credit Unions last year helped finance the Marketing _ Co-op, (which requires considerable capital to carry inventory) to the tune of $350,000. Many fishermen have been res- cued from virtual serfdom by their Credit Unions. This is quite an astounding record when you realize that as late os 1940, there was no Credit Union serving those men. é Only four years ago the Paci- fic Coast Fishermen’s Mutual Ma- zine Insurance Co., was formed, and some 400 fishing boats are now insured with this Co-op, with a total coverage of $2,800,000. In four years, this Co-op has xeturned or allocated $34,000 or 30 percent of all premiums, in the form of patronage dividends, and many thousands of dollars in insurance claims to members who lost their boats. All of these Co-ops and others, (we have mentioned only the main Co-ops affecting fishermen), are all co-opera- tively owned, and operated by the users of their services. Con- trol is through Annual Meet- ings and Boards of Directors, comprised of practical fisher- men, You will find no profit or exploitation here, for their motto is mutual assistai service and benefits to all. The Co-op contribution to the fishing industry has made great improvement in the quality of the product, more orderly marketing, and a general lifting of the standard of living of those en- gaged in the industry. Rising out of their Co-opera- tive experience, these fishermen have now a better social outlook, They realize their interdepend- ence with other workers and know that by exchanging ideas an, helping the other fellow, th cannot fail to help themselves. Yes, Brothers, this is a fish story, but it is also a true story, The facts are on record. And it) has all happened in your midst, with workers just like YOU. And the end is not yet, for the fisher- men feel that with the wise and experienced Co-op leadership which they have, they will development. : What has taken place in the fishing industry might well be an inspiration to loggers and mill workers. ‘We have organized the IWA to organize and sell our labor, and to improve our working and liy- ing conditions. Our purchasing power, how- ever, is still unorganized. What are we going to do about it? » SAPPERTO SAFETY IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS Supports the IWA “Safety Campaign’’ and Recognizes that (Please Patronize These Merchants Who Are Helping to Support Your Safety Campaign) SAPPERTON HARDWARE & APPLIANCE BAPCO Paint — Frigidaire Appliances — Builders’ Supplies — Chinaware — Toys of All Kinds 484 Columbia St. E. Phone 3473 SAPPERTON MODEL GROCERY (W. Mercer & Son) “Courteous Service” 301 East Columbia Street Phone 1012 GRETA'S COFFEE SHOP An IDEAL Place to DINE 504 Columbia St. E. Phone 3474 TERMINUS MARKET Groceries — Fruits HOME GROCERY United Purity Stores Vegetables 506-8 Columbia St. E. (ho 1S eA TD) Phone 4145 475 B. Columbia Street Graham Bros. (Props.) _ Phone N.W. 875 While-U-Wait Shoe Service Shoe and Heels in 20 Minutes 419 E. Columbia St. SAPPERTON, N. W. Liddon & Hill Hardware Toys, Radio, Tools and Appliances 418 E. Columbia Phone 3110 A.B. CLEANERS “Always Better Cleaners” PICK-UP and DELIVERY 453 E. COLUMBIA PHONE 4194 MURPHY'S COFFEE BAR FULL COURSE MEALS FOUNTAIN SERVICE, MAGAZINES and TOBACCOS 303 E, COLUMBIA ST. PHONE 3242 $4444444444 A Message From Our Local Secretary The fact that merchants in SAPPERTON are giv- ing such generous sup- port to the IWA Safety Campaign shows that our movement holds the respect of the commun- ity, and it is hoped that our boys will show their own appreciation by pa- tronizing these merchants wherever possible. VVUVIVIVVIVIFVVVIVIVIF m Local 1-357 NEW WESTMINSTER VVUIVVVVIIGT SIMONE'S SPORTWEAR The latest styles in... TAILORED and LACED BLOUSES, STRAIGHT-CUT SKIRTS, SPORT JACKETS, COTTON HOUSE DRESSES Lingerie and EVERYTHING for the Sport Enthusiast 490 Columbia St. E. PAF4L4A4A44444444444444444 wevvwwyv Phone 3609 LEA’S FLOWER SHOP PARAGON POTTERY — ORNAMENTS — CUT FLOWERS LAUNDERERS 318 E, Columbia Se. Phone 3761 BARKLEY’S SERVICE STATION & HAZELWOOD MOTORS A Complete Automotive Service (incl. Trailer Rentals) 502 Columbia St. Ec Phone 4542 2031 3 Day Service 137 E. Columbia St. Phone 4421 YOU'LL DO BETTER AT LEED’S SHOES 476 E, Columbia Street Phone N.W. 4081 et NOREEN’S CAFE 139 East Columbia Street New Westminters B,C. Phone 2470 WANTED Old Bicycles, Tricycles, Wagons or Baby Buggles, to be traded in on NEW ones — EASY TERMS, CAP'S CYCLE & MOTOR CO. 415 E. Columbia Phone 4125 ROYAL CITY STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHER Ghristmas sreciats on Now 420 East Columbia Phone 3764 FREE GIFT WRAP at the CLICK SHOP Jewellers and Watchmakers 480 Columbia St. B. Ph. 3520 GILLESPIE FUR FACTORY 304 East Columbia Street New Westminster, B.C. Phone 3941 BOWLERDROME COFFEE BAR “Featuring our Home-Made Pie” Francis Bros, Proprietors 478 E, Columbia St. R. S. REYNOLDS CONCRETE PRODUCTS Building Materials, Sand, Gravel and Cement 141 E. Golumbla Ph. 2927 Come to BILL’S FURNITURE For the BEST in new and used Merchandise 305 Cedar St. SAPPERTON’S 5c to $.00 “The Friendly Store” 422 E. Columbia Street SAPPERTON, N. W. H. E. GILROY Men's Wear ROMPRE GROCERY 315 E. Columbia St. SAPPERTON, N. W. Serving the IWA, as always 422 B. Columbia Ph. 4464 SAPPERTON, N. W. SAPPERTON MOTORS LTD. 425 E. Columbia St. "A Home Station” Experts in Collision Repairs Phone 676 DUNN’S “Fast Service DRY CLEANING” 135 E. Columbia St. SHAW BROS. LTD. Sash — Doors — Millwork 510 Columbia St. E. Phone 1321 5 s ROYAL CITY BEDDING Co. DEBUT DRESS SHOPPE “Invest in Rest? Home of 131 E, Columbia Street i ianrasee: al aseetes 314 E. Columbia Se, EEO eS SAPPERTON, N. W. gi farther yet in the way of Co-t)