By Jennifer Dart
The Westerly News
March 22, 2005
Fish plant workers narrowly voted to keep the union out of the newest hake operation in Ucluelet.
Ucluelet Harbour Seafoods, owned by a group of individuals, will operate starting the end of April out of the old Ucluelet Seafood Processors plant location at 1661 Cedar St.
United Fisherman and Allied Workers union representative Irvin Figg said returning fish plant workers voted 79 in favour of a union contract and 92 opposed.
Voting took place in Ucluelet on March 23 and Port Alberni on March 24.
"I am delighted with this employee vote, it sets them up for a stable, healthy future," said Ucluelet Harbour Seafoods (UHS) president Allan Williams, also a company shareholder.
The union contract was re-negotiated when Trident Seafood sold the plant to the group of current owners and would have continued until April of 2008 had Williams not come on board.
Because Williams operated the Wholey plant last season before partnering with UHS, the Labour Board of BC determined the new plant was a successorship situation, which allows for a board-sanctioned representation vote to determine union membership.
Williams says the vote was close because of pressure from the union and their "scare tactics", and Figg blamed it on a "take the money and run" attitude of non-permanent workers.
While UHS will offer a higher hourly wage to workers, they will not have a benefit plan.
A long time Ucluelet fish plant worker agreed that many don't realize "you're on your own" when it comes to a non-union plant.
"The biggest issues were medical and dental [plans]. That's probably why it was such a close vote," said the worker who asked to remain anonymous. "We do a $1 hour bonus in lieu of benefits, but that's nowhere near what it costs for a three-person family."
Although he wanted to get back to work, the worker said he feared for his job security as well as his pension plan under the non-union employer.
"What I would say to a potential member, the real thing the union sells is that you get more of a voice with your employer," said Figg.
But Williams says being a more competitive plant in an international market will go farther to ensure the success of the plant - and consequently, of jobs in Ucluelet.
"In a global economy there is no extra slack for the rigidity of a union contract," said Williams.
"It's like going forward with one hand tied behind your back."
Williams said he expects the plant will be open April 30 and running shifts seven days a week for the hake (or whiting) season. UHS products will be packaged at the plant for export to US, Asian and European markets.
While the union will
be "hands off" for the next few months, Figg says workers are
still free to organize.
"We're going to have to watch and wait to see how it turns out,"
he said.
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