FISH-NL calls on Federation of Labour to clarify FFAW’s fate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 21st, 2018
The Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador (FISH-NL) is calling on the province’s Federation of Labour to clarify whether the FFAW can remain a member following the decision by Unifor, its national affiliate, to leave the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).
“Inshore harvesters are demanding to know the lay of the land with the local labour movement,” says Ryan Cleary, President of FISH-NL.
Unifor, the largest private-sector union in Canada, withdrew from the CLC last week in a scrap over whether the union can absorb members from other unions. Termed “raiding” in the labour movement, the CLC does not allow a union to solicit members from another affiliate union.
In turn, the CLC — the NL Federation of Labour and all local labour councils fall under the national agency — has demanded provincial labour councils kick out Unifor and affiliates like the FFAW.
Further, the question has been raised whether President Mary Shortall and other Federation of Labour executives who are Unifor members must resign their posts.
Shortall is listed as a Unifor member on the NL Federation of Labour’s website, as is 1st vice-president Jessica McCormick (FFAW-Unifor), and David Burke, affiliate vice-president, Unifor.
“There appears to be considerable confusion on the labour front following Unifor’s break from the CLC, and members deserve to know where things stand.”
Contact: Ryan Cleary 682 4862
