Tag Archives: Federation of Independent Seafood Harvesters
Keith Sullivan says FFAW will not allow 45 years of progress be torn apart by upstart FISH-NL
The president of Newfoundland and Labrador’s fisheries union says a breakaway group of harvesters could hurt, rather than help, their cause. Keith Sullivan of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union says his members are worried by an attempt to de-certify the union. “The message I am getting from the members is that we are not going to sit back and watch 45 years of progress and hard work by thousands and thousand of members be just torn apart,” Sullivan told CBC’s Central Morning Show Monday. He said the Federation of Independent Seafood Harvesters (FISH-NL), led by former journalist and member of parliament Ryan Cleary, has no real plan as to how to proceed. Sullivan acknowledges there are problems in the fishery, but the FFAW will continue to provide effective representation for its members. (and WWF!) Read the story here 16:51
FISH-NL elects executive, adopts constitution, and looks to a 2017 certification date
The process to formalize a breakaway fish harvesters union began at the Albatross Hotel in Gander Thursday morning. “I’ve never seen the unrest as widespread as it is today. It’s in every corner of the province,” said the leader of the Federation of Independent Seafood Harvesters (FISH-NL), Ryan Cleary, in his opening address. Cleary, a former New Democrat member of Parliament, was acclaimed as president of the union that presents itself as a rival to the Fish, Food and Allied Workers. “We don’t have a lot of money, but we have a lot of will, we have a lot of determination to move this forward, so your being here means a lot,” Cleary told harvesters. “The revolution begins today, that’s why we’re here,” he said. “We’re looking at taking down what I consider as the saltwater mafia,” said Reg McDonald who drove to Gander from Summerside on the province’s west coast. Read the rest here 19:41
