FFAW says Premier hears harvesters concerns and “commits to finding a way forward”
Members of the FFAW Snow Crab Negotiating Committee met with Premier Tony Wakeham, Minister Loyola O’Driscoll, and Minister Mike Goosney to hear the province’s response to last week’s meeting on the fish pricing crisis.
“The Premier understands the value of the formula that was in place this year when it comes to starting the fishery on time and treating all harvesters equally regardless of when they land their crab,” says FFAW President Dwan Street. “Importantly, the Premier has told us he stands by all the commitments he made during the election.”
According to FFAW, the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) “is refusing to meet with the union to discuss the current situation.”
“It’s very unfortunate that even with a new Executive Director, the ASP way of doing things hasn’t changed. These companies know they have no valid explanation for the drastic gap between NL and gulf crab prices, but the blatant market manipulation is finally coming to light,” Street says. “Premier Wakeham expressed disappointment with the formula’s failure and acknowledged that this year’s large gap between NL and Gulf 5-8oz sections on Urner Barry raises a lot of questions that need answering by the people responsible.”
The FFAW says it important for the ASP to discuss releasing the calculated price for other pack sizes. That number can only be released prior to the arbitration if both parties agree.
“It has recently come to light that companies like OCI have given select harvesters bonuses of up to 35 cents per pound in addition to the calculated rebate. These individual agreements are counter to the purpose of a collective agreement and it’s harmful to independent owner-operator enterprises,” says FFAW Secretary-Treasurer Jamie Baker.
NTV is continuing to follow the story and will have more this evening.