The confrontation between the Fish, Food & Allied Workers Union and the Seafood Producers' Association in Newfoundland and Labrador continues to escalate. Now the workers at the Triton plant are idle after more than a month that the fishing vessels have been in port.
This announced Atlantic Canada Seafood Group on social media, including a series of interviews with the CBS newspaper where workers reported their problems.
About 120 workers have been affected by the stoppage of the snow crab fishery, which has not yet begun. Thus, the workers and the president of the plant union, Doretta Strickland, are asking for help, stating that employment insurance is running out for them. This reality affects a whole community and requires urgent action. Despite the gestures made by authorities this week, the workers are appealing to the government to mediate.
"The lack of crab supply is not limited to Newfoundland and Labrador fishers, as the plant has historically processed crab from Prince Edward Island as well. However, due to threats made against the plant, it is deemed too risky to bring in crab from outside the province. Plant manager Barry Vincent expressed that the operation is ready to start as soon as crab becomes available for processing. Meanwhile, the plant's regular customers are seeking crab from other sources, leading to further challenges for the facility," said Atlantic Canada Seafood Group in LinkedIn.
Both parties, far from being close to an agreement, remain in dispute. On the one hand, the Fish, Food & Allied Workers union called on the provincial government to allow outside buyers to transport their products and accuses the licensing system of being corrupt and the association of being opposed in negotiating the $2.20 per pound price. On the other hand, the Seafood Producers Association explained that they would not accept the union's demands and accused the union of intimidation tactics.