LABOR PROTEST IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE. An estimated 3 million British trade unionists downed tools in a 24 hour strike Monday to protest the Tory governments anti-union bill. The huge work stoppage took place despite the opposition of the Trades Union Congress. Photo above shows 150,000 trade unionists at a rally in London to protest the new bill. Fisheries minister Davis scored at UFAWU parley — Although he is not prepared to alter the fundamental aspects of the British Columbia salmon vessel license control program, federal fisheries minister Jack Davis told the Fishermens’ convention in Vancouver this week that ‘‘on the east coast we are about to introduce the kind of plan the union wants.”’ Under the plan in effect in B.C. for the past two years, the license is placed on the boat through a system of categories and graduated fees. The plan proposed for Atlantic salmon fishermen will continue to place the license on the fisherman. “The individual fisherman on the east coast who has a salmon license today will continue to have a license,’’ said Davis. ‘“‘But no new license will be issued and no licenses can be sold. And anyone who is working in another industry will not get a license. That’s the kind of plan the union wants.”’ Fisherman Reg Mason of Prince Rupert told Davis, ‘‘We don’t like your plan here. Will you reconsider it?”’ David replied, “If you mean the fundamental aspects of the plan, the answer is no.”’ Typical of the criticism levelled at the B.C. plan was a statement made by Walter Tickson of Nanaimo. Referring to the fact that fishermen were denied their status as workers under most legislation on the grounds that they were co-adventurers ‘‘and some say capitalists’, Tickson said: “T don’t agree with this, but accepting it for the sake of argu- ment, any businessman has to operate under certain defined rules so that he knows where he’s going. ‘“But under your plan, Mr. Davis, the rules are constantly revised, often without consul- tation so that the first we know of them is when we read a press release, and none of us knows where he is going— and I doubt if you do either.”’ In the course of questioning, Davis agreed with Stevens’ sug- gestion that a series of con- ferences was needed to discuss ~ the entire question of salmon quality control ‘‘from the sea to the consumer’s table,’’ but defended the latest phase of his program governing quality control on salmon vessels by con- tending that ‘‘no boat should be allowed to continue in the fishery if it is so poorly equipped that it can’t deliver quality fish.”’ D: v:s also revealed that within the next few weeks a plan will be introduced to replace unemploy- ment insurance for fisher men.” Columbia pact exposed Cont'd from pg. 2 @ Secondly, negotiations must be started with U.S. govern- ment for additional financial compensation—immediately. Perhaps a suggestion that the B.C. government might intro- duce heavy taxation on American companies exporting JOHN TANCHE of: White Rock, B.C., one of this papers most active supporters, has just returned home from hospital where he under- went an operation. The PT staff and readers send him their best wishes for a speedy recovery. PACIFIC TRIBUNE—FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1971—PAGE 12 natural resources from this pro- vince would go a long way towards a satisfactory settle ment. The citizens of British Columbia and of Canada were “‘had’’ on the Treaty. Those responsible—the Social Credit Government in British Columbia, the Conservative Government in Ottawa which originally signed the Treaty and the Liberal Government in Ottawa which prettified it up with a Protocol & Sales Agree- ment, are still trying to bam- boozle the public. However, the increase in B.C. Hydro rates is proof positive as to the actua truth. ; This proposal, indicated by earlier statements in the House of Commons, has -been vigor- ously opposed by the union. * * * A total of 155 delegates from locals in B.C. and four from Nova Scotia are in attendance at the UFAWU convention. The opening sessions of the con- vention on Saturday heard an address by Alderman Harry Rankin, who told them organi- zation will be decisive in all the areas of conflict between the plans of the big corporations and the needs of the people. Referring to cutbacks in the fishing fleet and salmon canneries announced for the coming season, Rankin asked, “Who is obsolete — the fishermen who catch the salmon and the men and women who process it, or the big fishing companies which have shaped the structure of the industry and now deny workers their right toa livelihood?”’ The plan to ship Alaskan oil to Cherry Point, Washington, by tanker, said Rankin, typifies this conflict between corporate demands and people’s needs. We are all affected and unless we all get busy and organize to protect our interest — the real public interest — we shall find the big oil corporations have determined the outcome for us to serve their interest.” The convention will continue the greater part of this week. “It's a model for the entire nation.” Phillips at UFAWU parley: Unity essential to meet new challenge A call for initiative by the Fisherman’s Union to help achieve a united trade union movement in Canada and B.C., and an appeal to the Canadian Labor Congress to open its doors to unions now outside, came from CUPE representative Jack Phillips when he spoke to the UFAWU’s annual convention in Vancouver last Tuesday. In his address urging labor unity, Phillips said: ‘‘In terms of the trade union movement in B.C., this means that unions like the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union, the Teamsters and the B.C. Hospital Employees should be given every reasonable encouragement to enter the Canadian Labor Congress. “No matter how big the union may be, no matter how strategic its position in relation to the economy as a whole, it cannot hope to survive as a free and viable trade union separate and apart from the labor movement as a whole, not in the long run,” he declared. “Tf the use of Bill 33 in the trucking dispute proves anything, it proves that we need more unity in the labor movement, organizationally and in policy and action. In this situation, it is my opinion that the policy of the Teamsters’ leadership is an incorrect and harmful policy, one that is not in the best interest of their membership or the labor move- ment as a whole. ‘On the other hand, the B.C. Federation of Labor is, to be commended for its consistent and principled opposition to Bill 33 and the Mediation Com- mission. “In my humble opinion, the return of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union to the Canadian Labor Congress would be to the mutual advantage of all parties. “Tt would increase your to cope with the man complex problems of industry and it would giv! much more protection the attacks from the ene organized labor. On the ® hand, your presence in councils, the B.C. Federa Labor and the Canadian Congress would gf strengthen those already those bodies who consis fight for sound trade policies. “T hope that in your sea a way back into the CLCY thoroughly examine eve that may be open te you. publicly stated, on a n occasions, that your exclusion from the Trad Labor Congress wa democratic, unnecessary visive. I say again that it product of cold war nys McCarthyism. It is time this sorry chapter and new chapter of unity and ation.” Phillips paid tribute Fishermens’ Union wht said is unique in North A? It is playing a vital role industry and recognized 4 of the larger trade unl ment. Dealing with federal € ment economic policies: had led to the presen unemployment — sité Phillips told the con¥ delegates, ‘‘Organize@ must make it crystal cle we will not accept unemployment. Neither accept the idea that three® percent unemploym* normal. Further, we will accept the barbaric idé full employment is poss! in the event that our coun | involved in another majo! 77 Anti-labor drive hit Cont'd from pg. 1 hangs over freedom in British Columbia. Newspapers, political parties, churches and other groups with freedoms to lose should be gravely disturbed.’ It points out that ‘‘history has proven time and time again that the destruction by government of the rights of any group is followed in due course by the destruction of other rights and freedoms. This spectre of repres- sion now faces all British Colum- bians. “Tt should be clearly under- stood that the actions of the government do constitute an irrevocable denial of the rights of free collective bargaining.” The action of the Liberal group in backing the Socred govern- ment (with one exception) again exposes that party as a party of reaction which, when the showdown comes, is little differ- ent from the right wing reaction- ary Socred government. If Prime Minister Trudeau's actions were not enough to expose the big business policies of the Liberal Party, the performance in Victorlé drive that point home. Likewise, the part lay right wing “establish! trade union leaders like Ed Lawson in saddliné. with the present react policies cannot be ignor f having broken the united’ labor in its opposition 1 qj by appearing before thes i tion Commission, 3 union has become 4 victim of this anti-lab0! lation. And Lawson must heavy responsibility for yy The major task before labor and democrali@ people now is to unite ee, to defeat the Socred and oy ness attack on democre the people’s living stat Unity of all popular i block the drive by © Bennett and his Tle. Socred government t0 wee freedom in B.C. and t must be carried form every front — econo political. It is the only Wad ph « to restore democracy ¢ rights in B.C.