DEMONSTRATION ON MONDAY, MARCH 28
March 25, 2022
FFAW-Unifor is holding demonstrations for all members and community supporters on Monday, March 28 at 11 am at the Confederation Building in St. John’s & Civic Centre in Corner Brook to call attention to unfairness in the setting of fish prices.
For years we have asked the provincial government to move forward with policies that would hold processing companies more accountable and to increase competition in fish processing. In particular, we have demanded:
- The issuance of more processing licenses, particularly in crab, to companies that do not already hold crab licenses. The province has blocked our efforts at the Fish Processing Licensing Board.
- Pass legislation capping the growth of the big 5 processing companies at current levels. This has been ignored.
- For a second price reconsideration that allows for prices to harvesters to be adjusted to the market since there is no wharf competition. We have been told this is not happening.
- More transparency from the processing sector to provide more fairness in collective bargaining. This request has fallen on deaf ears.
- That the province provide support on their end to crack down on illegal control of inshore fishing licenses. This, too, has fallen on deaf ears.
To be clear, ASP’s attempt to remove Earle McCurdy from the Panel cannot stand but is just the last straw. Enough is enough.
We need harvesters from across the province to come to St. John’s and Corner Brook this Monday and let your collective frustration be known.
It is also time to call for outside buyers. This is not the ideal situation, but processors have abused their privilege and processing capacity is far too limited. We need to hold the processors accountable, and increased competition is the only way to do that.
We need to fight together. All our voices need to be heard.
Join us on Monday at 11 am. Bring your proudest heart and your loudest voice.
Demonstration Details:
Concurrent Demonstrations in Corner Brook and St. John’s
Monday, March 28 at 11 am
St. John’s – Confederation Building
Corner Brook- Civic Centre Parking Lot (Pepsi Centre)