FFAW-Unifor says unprocessed crab being shipped out of Newfoundland and Labrador is leaving plant workers with reduced hours and facing the prospect of not qualifying for full Employment Insurance benefits. Photo by Nicholas Mercer /The Telegram fileArticle contentFFAW-Unifor has finally had the meeting it was seeking with the provincial fisheries minister and is now hoping the government will help address concerns about crab processing.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe union that represents Newfoundland and Labrador’s inshore fish harvesters and plant workers has been calling for the provincial government to do something about seafood processing companies shipping unprocessed snow crab outside of the province.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe union said the practice is leaving plant workers with reduced hours and facing the prospect of not qualifying for full Employment Insurance benefits.Article contentSeveral days after issuing a press release urging Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Minister Lisa Dempster to meet with them, FFAW-Unifor said on Friday, June 27 that union representatives have had “a highly constructive meeting” with the minister.Article content“The discussion marked a constructive shift, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing the pressing concerns of both plant workers and fish harvesters across Newfoundland and Labrador,” the union said in a press release after the meeting.Article content Newfoundland and Labrador Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Minister Lisa Dempster. The Telegram fileArticle contentAccording to the union, the following were the key outcomes from the meeting:Article content– Commitment to investigate outside shipments: The minister agreed to examine the issue of outside buyers, focusing on ensuring greater transparency and accountability from processing companies.Article contentArticle content– Reaffirmation of the Nine-Point Plan: The minister reiterated the government’s dedication to the nine-point plan of former provincial fisheries minister Gerry Byrne, which outlines critical steps to support the sustainability and economic viability of the fishing industry. FFAW-Unifor will receive weekly updates, and the oversight committee will continue to monitor progress.Article content– Engagement with plant chairs: In response to the union’s request, the minister committed to scheduling a meeting dedicated to snow crab plant chairs in the near future to further discuss plant worker concerns and ensure their voices are heard at the provincial level.Article content– Addressing communication gaps: The union said it appears recent letters sent by FFAW-Unifor may not have reached the minister, likely due to internal delays in processing. Dempster has offered direct communication with FFAW-Unifor president Dwan Street to prevent such incidents in the future.Article contentUNION SOLIDARITYArticle contentThe union said Dempster has committed to following up on these items in writing.Article content“This meeting was a testament to the unity between harvesters and plant workers, whose collective strength is vital to the long-term prosperity of our coastal communities,” the union press release stated. “FFAW-Unifor remains steadfast in advocating for our members, ensuring that the concerns of those who rely on this industry are prioritized. We are encouraged by the minister’s openness to collaboration and look forward to continued dialogue to drive meaningful change.”Article content
Getting together: NL fisheries union says meeting with minister was productive
