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BC Union Women Fight Racism in Fishing Industry
March 15, 2018
In the summer of 1954, racist signs on the women’s washrooms at the Namu fish cannery divided the facilities between “Whites” and “Natives”. They had been there for years, but despite demands from both the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union (UFAWU) and the Native Brotherhood of BC (NBBC), management took no action.
In August, the workers did. In a joint meeting of first nations and white workers, the 154 members voted unanimously to do away with the signs and proceeded to do so. It was a small step in the long march to overcome racism and ethnic divisions in BC’s fishing industry. The women holding the signs are: Mary Hall (NBBC), Marylin Fredericksen (UFAWU), Kitty Carpenter (NBBC) and Mervene Beagle (UFAWU). With them is Bill Rigby, a long time UFAWU leader.
The boat in the photo is the Texada, a fish packer run by BC Packers, travelling between Namu and Bella Coola. UFAWU tendermen were on strike at the time. BC Packers got agreement from the striking tendermen to make a special trip so the Bella Coola women who had come to Namu to work could return home for the duration of the strike. The women brought with them the objectionable signs they had earlier removed from the cannery washrooms.
- Prepared by Donna Sacuta, Executive Director, BC Labour Heritage Centre
With thanks to: Sean Griffin, David Yorke and Nick Carr.
Photo originally published in The Fisherman, September 7, 1954.
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Testimonial
- Gerald Price - Agrifoods
For
35 years I have been a Teamster and a Dairyworker, I was a young kid needing a
job in tough economic times. I found a place to work and make a living, I
learned to work together with others having varying and different backgrounds
than my own.
Much has changed for me personally and professionally, I got married to my
beautiful wife of almost 25 years and we have raised two amazing children, both
of whom are presently studying abroad. Both of my children were recipients of
Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Funding.
So much of my success I can credit to having a well paying union job. The
Teamsters have been a great union for me, negotiating strong collective
agreements that held good wage and benefit packages as well as the cornerstone
beliefs of seniority and workers’ rights. The Teamsters gave me a good wage and
a voice.
I have always been an active Teamster, and now I sit on Local 464's Executive
Board.
There can be a great degree of personal feelings when the word union is
mentioned, but so often I look at professional associations and realize the
name may be different, but the thought is the same...strength in numbers.
As I get toward the end of my career, I look forward to the thought of
receiving the Teamsters Canada Pension Plan, and I am so grateful for the
belief others had before me that Teamsters deserved a good and decent
retirement...thank you.
Drew
- Drew Speirs
A message from a retiring 464 member:
http://www.teamsters464.org/news/open-letter-my-fellow-union-members#
- Dave S