Newfoundland and Labrador: OFFER SIGNED TO START CRAB FISHERY
This morning, the FFAW Snow Crab Bargaining Committee reluctantly agreed to sign off on a final offer from ASP to start a crab fishery this year. The offer guarantees a minimum price of 2.20 and includes incremental increases as the Urner Barry price increase, which ensures the price will not drop lower regardless of potential market drops. The agreement was made on the stipulation that Premier Furey publicly commit to revamping the final offer selection (Panel) process and work towards a formula prior to the 2024 season.
– 2.20 to start and a minimum for the year
– 2.25 @ 4.85
– 2.30 @ 4.95
– 2.60 @ 5.50
– 2.75 @ 6.00
– Reconsideration at 6.01 USD
– Without prejudice, for the 2023 season only.
“Nobody on the Committee is happy to be signing this deal today. This Committee put hundreds of volunteer hours into trying to find a better outcome for harvesters, and having this industry at a standstill for over six weeks was incredibly challenging on many fronts,” says FFAW-Unifor President Greg Pretty. “Harvesters hoped the market situation would improve over the last several weeks. Those hopes did not materialize, and without a doubt the Committee was backed into a corner,” Pretty says.
FFAW-Unifor is continuing to lobby for changes to EI qualifications this year. Our members are facing a significant reduction in earnings this year, and they must receive commitment that financial help will be there to help them make it to next season. Our Union has been in constant communication with all levels involved in this assistance and are working on a comprehensive benefit proposal that will ensure members are supported through these exceptional circumstances.
“To say it was a stressful, difficult process is a complete understatement and our Bargaining Committee needs to commended for the blood, sweat and tears that went into the negotiations process this year,” Pretty says. “I hope our members understand that they are working in a system that is designed to work against them, with an immense sense of responsibility and pressure – not only for the fleet they represent, but for all those whose livelihoods depend on this fishery,” Pretty says. “The Committee has the support of their fleets behind them, and our next focus needs to be on improving the process so that we’re not facing this scenario every spring going forward,” he says.
“This historic shut-down of the snow crab fishery has not gone unnoticed by provincial or federal decision makers. A chain-reaction has been started as a result of the solidarity that has been shown over these several weeks, and we are encouraged by the Premier’s committment to review this entire process,” Pretty concludes.
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