FFAW sides with protesting members, demands open market for harvesters' catch

The Fish, Food & Allied Workers union has announced it's siding with protesting members who are demanding government lift regulations that require fishermen to sell their catch to processors within Newfoundland and Labrador.

Following days of protest by union members at the provincial legislature and Fisheries Department building, the FFAW-Unifor announced in a statement Thursday afternoon that it's calling on the government to lift all processing caps, grant new processing licenses, and remove restrictions on outside buyers.

Port de Grave fisherman John Efford Jr., who was among the protesters, called the union's announcement a win

"It's what we need," he told CBC News on Thursday afternoon. "It's a step now towards unity, it's a step towards bring all fish harvesters together with our union, with our leadership. Everybody is one. Everybody has a common goal, everybody has a common message, everybody has a common mindset. It's great."

In the union's statement, provided by spokesperson Courtney Glode, president Greg Pretty says the province's fish harvesters "have been disadvantaged long enough."

"The situation has gotten so severe in recent years that a very large number are now facing imminent bankruptcy due to the cartel-like environment processing companies enjoy here in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Pretty in the statement.

Efford said changes need to be made before the upcoming fishing season.

"This is pivotal, this is detrimental. This is everything, everything for the season."

The move comes after a key negotiator for the union, Jake Rice, stepped down amid ongoing tense price formula negotiations between the harvesters' union and the Association of Seafood Producers.

In a statement to CBC News, the ASP said it's unable to comment on Rice's resignation, first reported by seafood industry news outlet Undercurrent News as negotiations are underway. 

"With regards to Jake's resignation, it would be best to contact the FFAW," wrote Sara Norris on behalf of the ASP. 

For days, harvesters have stood on the steps in front of Confederation Building and flooded the public gallery of the House of Assembly to protest the handling of the fishery, now just weeks away from the start of crab season. 

In addition to their calls for an open market — the ability to take their catch, regardless of species, to whichever buyer will take the product, whether that be within the province or outside it — they're also hoping for a better and less disruptive crab season than last year's, when a fight over the $2.20 per pound for snow crab kept boats off of the water for weeks.

CBC News has attempted to reach the FFAW and Rice for comment with no response as of publication. 

Questions on the fishery have dominated the House of Assembly since it reopened in early March. On Wednesday, Premier Andrew Furey was optimistic about the ongoing negotiations, but closed the House Thursday ahead of the provincial budget's unveiling next week.

PC Leader Tony Wakeham said the adjournment is disappointing and disrespectful to the people of the province.

"I think it's a sign of disrespect, total disrespect for the legitimate concerns that they have," said Wakeham.

"Here we are, they find themselves right back in the same position they were last year." 

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.