tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229885.post5887295653902486073..comments2024-03-27T01:58:22.445-07:00Comments on The Gazetteer: For My Dad (And My Mom).RossKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07677239332112652522noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229885.post-50452895478276776952017-06-19T12:18:22.940-07:002017-06-19T12:18:22.940-07:00Thanks for this RossK. It is affecting.
When I ca...Thanks for this RossK. It is affecting.<br /><br />When I came of age in the sixties, my education was funded by working union jobs in summers, first in logging, then in a BC pulp & paper mill. We paid, I recall, about $4.50 a month in union dues, without giving much thought to the opportunities we enjoyed as a direct result of the suffering of people who were fired and run out of the company town 35 years before because they expressed support for unions.<br /><br />My father tended engines on fish packers and tow boats on BC's coast and told stories about crossing Hecate Strait with waves higher than our house. He knew many men that died while working to earn livings for their families. Those unfortunate families were usually left in dire poverty.<br /><br />My friends and I (callow as well) entered adulthood filled with optimism and expectations. I suspect it's not quite the same for many today and that might have something to do with people toying with substances that are as likely to kill them as dull their pains.<br />Norm Farrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06762889793990336381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229885.post-14116278221373829742017-06-19T11:47:18.299-07:002017-06-19T11:47:18.299-07:00Well said Ross! I went farther in school than my f...Well said Ross! I went farther in school than my folks because back in the day you could afford it.Another fact is that my Dad was in a union but my Mom wasn't( even though she was a "Rosie The Riveter") but we had a house and a boat, nowadays kids can't even afford rent.By the way ,it would be cool to see Bolinas again and try to surf,ha!sdnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229885.post-63052822757323134442017-06-19T08:41:01.817-07:002017-06-19T08:41:01.817-07:00In 1971 I bought a house and five acres for $20,00...In 1971 I bought a house and five acres for $20,000. That was less than 2 years salary. Guess what 2 years salary will get you now!<br />Guess what a house and five acres costs now.<br />Somehow something doesn't equate. Maybe I shudda hung on to the house!John's Aghastnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229885.post-62522281248292436012017-06-18T15:02:08.652-07:002017-06-18T15:02:08.652-07:00I remember this post and thank you for re posting ...I remember this post and thank you for re posting it. Its important we remember where we came from. Thank you especially for the parts about the role of Unions in how we the working class in B.C. became the middle class and enjoyed things like being 2 car families, for the first time, having cottages in the Gulf Islands, going on yearly vacations. We got to go to University because we had the brains and our families had the money. That was a first, our families having the money. Without the Unions fighting for 15 min. coffee breaks, up from 10 minutes, to extended medical plans and higher wages, we'd still be working for $300 per month. <br /><br />In 1951 a working man made approx. $50 a week. Ten years later that was $100 a week. By the early 1970s. working people would be making $25K a year. That was also the price of a home in Richmond. However, that is now still what a lot of people are making. Not much progress thanks to the likes of Christy Clark and her cabal. <br /><br />Looking forward to this next year.e.a.f.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229885.post-18635605067539023722017-06-18T14:13:13.030-07:002017-06-18T14:13:13.030-07:00Great post. My dad really inspired me too, nice to...Great post. My dad really inspired me too, nice to remember all those good men with good values who made a difference to their families, neighbours and communities.<br /><br />Feels like the momentum is picking up with unions. The BCGEU convention last week was really great, lots of young people participating, bringing their energy and perspectives. Two of the new VPs are both young, very smart and solidly committed to members, the labour movement and progressive principles. Very inspiring to see, as one of the older participants.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229885.post-62265866920632221132017-06-18T13:03:23.064-07:002017-06-18T13:03:23.064-07:00And the link to "This One" .... Rivtow C...And the link to "This One" .... Rivtow Capt. Bob ... with the self loading self dumping log barge. Was the photo taken at one of the Gambier Island dumping boom grounds??? of either West, Centre or Long Bay's Daisy Bay....<br /><br />https://www.google.ca/maps/place/49%C2%B027'28.0%22N+123%C2%B022'23.6%22W/@49.4577694,-123.3732139,486m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d49.4577694!4d-123.3732139<br /><br />According to Google Earth the boom grounds are gone and who got the windfall waterfront properties?North Van's Grumpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17571810726275726952noreply@blogger.com