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FFAW Response to Minister Loveless

Click here to read the FFAW’s response to Minister Elvis Loveless, dated March 15, 2024.
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FFAW Calls for Drastic Changes to Provincial Processing Licensing Amid Harvester Protests in St. John’s

March 14, 2024 FFAW-Unifor is calling on the provincial government to listen to protesting fish harvesters by lifting all processing caps in the province, grant new processing licenses, and remove
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DFO’s Update on Capelin Brings Stock Out of Critical Zone 

Today’s stock assessment update from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Science team brought welcomed news to harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador today. In line with the revised northern cod
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FFAW/Unifor

FFAW/Unifor

14,000 working Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - a history steeped in the fishing industry.

11 hours ago

FFAW/Unifor
📣🔴Update: Monday, March 18, 2024Nearing today’s deadline, Minister Loveless reached out to FFAW President Greg Pretty advising a response would be provided tomorrow (a day later than the Union’s requested deadline of end of business day today). Fish harvesters are not pleased with this response, and many are making plans to mobilize in St. John’s on Wednesday morning. FFAW-Unifor stands behind our members. The requests made on Friday stand – and harvesters will not be satisfied unless these policy changes are made. Further updates will be provided tomorrow. ... See MoreSee Less
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1 day ago

FFAW/Unifor
📣🔴 Members in the Gander area are encouraged to join in a demonstration arranged for 8am outside of MHA John Haggie's office, 133 Airport Boulevard, Gander, tomorrow morning. We are anticipating a response this week to the letter that FFAW-Unifor issued to Minister Loveless on March 15. ... See MoreSee Less
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4 days ago

FFAW/Unifor
🔴FFAW RESPONDS TO MINISTER LOVELESS Dear Minister Loveless,Thank you for your letter on March 14th, 2024. Harvesters who have been protesting at government buildings in recent days and weeks represent the vast majority of our inshore membership, comprised over nearly 10,000 inshore, commercial fish harvesters and 4,000 owner-operator enterprises. These members are asking for free enterprise.We can confirm, as was stated in our public media release yesterday afternoon, that FFAW-Unifor is formally requesting you listen to protesting fish harvesters by (1) lifting all processing caps in the province, (2) granting new processing licenses, and (3) removing restrictions on outside buyers. This request does not pertain solely to snow crab – but for all commercial species fished by inshore licenses. We also ask that your government undertake a broad, independent review of the province’s processing licensing policy and the effect it has on the economic success of owner-operator harvesters. Every single processing job in this province is important. And we can all agree that our entire province benefits the most when the work stays here. We believe that changing government policy to allow for outside buyers will not negatively impact the work available for plant workers in Newfoundland and Labrador. 2023 and 2022 fishing seasons provided ample evidence that current processing companies in Newfoundland and Labrador do not have the capacity to handle existing quotas for snow crab, northern cod, capelin, and other species in a timely manner. While thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians benefit from seasonal processing work, the bulk of companies brought in Temporary Foreign Workers last season rather than focus on improving work for those who live in the province. Moreover, companies enjoy the benefit of trucking product in and out of the province, while the primary producers do not enjoy the same benefits. The stock projections for important commercial species are on an upward trend. Species like snow crab, northern cod, capelin, redfish, and lobster are all showing exceptional promise, and we expect landings will only continue to increase. Buyers must be made available to harvesters to meet this increasing supply. Minister Loveless, fish harvesters in our province have been disadvantaged long enough. In recent years, harvesters have been faced with strict weekly limits, unfounded deductions, plants that chose not process certain species, and others who refused to purchase from certain harvesters. All of which amounts to a very toxic business relationship for both harvesters and plant workers. More competition and market access for harvesters is desperately needed. As representatives elected by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, there is an expectation that government leaders will act on the formal recommendations provided via official channels; such as those provided by the Processing Licensing Board. In this regard, it is our understanding that the government has failed to approve several recommendations that seek to improve capacity in the fishing industry.To reiterate our request, we are formally asking the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to: 1) Lift all processing caps on existing processors in the province 2) Grant new processing licenses 3) Remove restrictions on outside buyers to allow prospective buyers from Atlantic Canada and Quebec 4) Undertake a formal, independent review of the province’s processing licensing policy In addition to these requests, we once again ask that your government improve transparency in the processing sector, to ensure existing license holders are fully utilizing their licenses, and that this information be provided to the province in a timely manner. Moreover, processing companies must disclose information on markets, price, pack-out and yield, to ensure that Collective Bargaining in the fishery is fair for both parties, rather than one-sided in favour of the companies. If inshore fish harvesters do not succeed, neither will plant workers, and neither will our coastal communities. The system must change if we have any hope of a future for the owner-operator fishery in our province with harvesters having the ability to land all of their allotted quotas in all commercial species. We respectfully await your decision to these requests and ask that you respond by end of business day, Monday, March 18, 2024.Sincerely,Greg Pretty President Jason SpingleSecretary-Treasurer ... See MoreSee Less
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5 days ago

FFAW/Unifor
🔴📣FFAW Calls for Drastic Changes to Provincial Processing Licensing Amid Harvester Protests in St. John's March 14, 2024 FFAW-Unifor is calling on the provincial government to listen to protesting fish harvesters by lifting all processing caps in the province, grant new processing licenses, and remove restrictions on outside buyers. The FFAW is also looking for a commitment from the provincial government to undertake an independent review of the province’s processing licensing policy.“Fish harvesters in our province have been disadvantaged long enough. The situation has gotten so severe in recent years that a very large number are now facing imminent bankruptcy due to the cartel-like environment processing companies enjoy here in Newfoundland and Labrador,” explains Greg Pretty, FFAW-Unifor. “When fish harvesters cannot find a buyer for their catch – we have a serious problem. This province cannot have a thriving fishery if fish harvesters are not succeeding, and the current wall of opposition they face makes success unattainable,” Pretty says. “In recent years, fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador have been faced with strict weekly limits, unfounded deductions, plants that chose not process certain species, and others who refused to purchase from certain harvesters. All of which amounts to a very toxic business relationship for both harvesters and plant workers,” says lead protestor, John Efford. “More competition and market access for harvesters is needed. We want free enterprise,” Efford says.“The business environment in our province is anti-harvester – plain and simple,” says FFAW-Unifor Secretary-Treasurer Jason Spingle. “There is no accountability for processing companies. People are losing their enterprises, and our Union will not just stand by and watch that happen,” Spingle says.While thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians benefit from seasonal processing work, the bulk of companies brought in Temporary Foreign Workers rather than focus on improving work for those who live in the province.“Every single processing job in this province is important. Our entire province benefits the most when the work stays here. Unfortunately, the privilege bestowed on processing companies is being abused, existing licenses are underutilized, and we do not have the capacity needed to process what is being brought in each season. The system must change if we have any hope of a future for the owner-operator fishery in our province,” Pretty concludes. ... See MoreSee Less
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6 days ago

FFAW/Unifor
🔴DFO’s Update on Capelin Brings Stock Out of Critical Zone March 13, 2024 Today’s stock assessment update from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Science team brought welcomed news to harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador today. In line with the revised northern cod LRP in 2023, the 2J3KL capelin stock is no longer in the critical zone. While healthy and cautious zones have not yet been defined, this move is well-received by those who rely on the commercial fishery. “The small capelin fishery is important for our coastal communities both in terms of the additional income it provides for fish harvesters who can diversify their business model, and also for plant workers who need those additional days of work during the fishing season,” explains Greg Pretty, FFAW-Unifor President. “Even a small capelin quota has a big impact for our enterprise, so we’re certainly pleased to see this news come from DFO Science today,” says Ivan Batten, fish harvester from Port de Grave who participated in the assessment process as a harvester representative. The capelin fishery has the potential for landed values of $20 million or more per year, however the fishery has not been prosecuted to its full extent in recent years due to processors not buying while the season is open. FFAW-Unifor has been in communication with the provincial government to ensure that capacity will be available for harvesters this season when needed for the time-sensitive fishery. “Our members will be satisfied to see the changes made here today by DFO Science today and we’re hopeful for a profitable capelin fishery this year for our province,” Pretty concludes. ... See MoreSee Less
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