FISH-NL plans second certification application for 2019, but only if harvesters step up to the plate – 2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, Oct. 24th, 2018
The Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador (FISH-NL) announced plans today to move forward with a second application for certification in 2019, but only if inshore harvesters agree to pay dues.
“FISH-NL can’t do this for harvesters, we can only do it with harvesters,” says Ryan Cleary, President of FISH-NL. “The
membership dues will be the deciding factor in the future of FISH-NL.”
On Sept. 28th — 21 months after FISH-NL filed an application on behalf of inshore harvesters who want to break away from the FFAW-Unifor — the province’s Labour Relations Board dismissed the application.
While FISH-NL strongly disagrees with the decision, and the fact it took 21 months to make, Cleary said the union will not appeal.
“The plan is to hold a FISH-NL convention this fall, followed by the submission of another certification application in 2019,” he added. “But we can’t continue just on donations from harvesters, and Go Fund Me campaigns.”
FISH-NL’s executive has unanimously decided that for FISH-NL to continue a minimum of 500 inshore harvesters must sign on to pay monthly dues of $24 a month or $300 a year by the end of October.
“Every one knows there’s support on the wharf, and that the FFAW no longer represents the best interests of harvesters, but the time has come to do something about it, because the time won’t come again. We have Goliath where we want him.”
FISH-NL plans to spend the next week determining whether enough dues-paying members are prepared to sign on to continue its fight.
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Contact: Ryan Cleary 682 4862
