The Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) claims the effects of COVID-19 were slow to hit the fishing industry and is calling for the Canadian government to give harvesters and fish plant workers financial support after the difficulties of the 2023 season.
“We represent people that bring in the new dollars to our province,” said FFAW Secretary-Treasurer Jason Spingle.
“We’ve said it before and rightfully so, there’s been primary industries like farming or the automobile industry where in difficult times, help has been needed. We really don’t feel our harvesters and plant workers, in particular, got the help they needed in COVID.”
Spingle pointed out that post-pandemic, crab prices have dropped around 70 per cent. Along with the delayed crab season in Newfoundland and Labrador over price disputes, many harvesters are feeling the economic squeeze more in 2023 than in years previous.
In response to this difficult year for those in the seafood industry, the FFAW is lobbying for a one-time payment of $10,000 to fish harvesters and $4,000 to plant workers to help ease the financial burden brought on by a less-than-ideal season and rising inflation.
“Really, this is the COVID year for our industry. That’s something we feel is reasonable to give people stability at this very difficult time,” said Spingle.
“The resource is healthy for crab and lobster in particular and that’s two of our major fisheries right now, but the income is what pays bills and allows people to have a living. Harvesters and plant workers during COVID were told, ‘You’re essential. You go back to work.’ I can remember the concerns everyone had… A trip to the grocery store was something you worried about. But people had to go back to work, and this is all a part of that.”
FFAW President Greg Pretty has travelled to Ottawa to submit his proposal to the Canadian government, so far to no avail. The union has started a phone campaign urging union members to phone both federal and provincial politicians from N.L. to raise support for their cause.
“Call your MP and MHA to let them know this help is desperately needed. The stress of the unknown must end and they must commit to providing this help,” wrote the FFAW in an announcement.
“Our governments have a long history of supporting important industries. Prime producers. Industries like oil and gas, auto manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and more. They help these industries because they support our economy from the ground up, providing not only good jobs but also supporting municipal development which is especially crucial to coastal Newfoundland and Labrador.”
To date, no Canadian politician has come out in support of the union’s campaign. Spingle said that this won’t deter the FFAW, however, and they’ll continue to push for economic support for as long as they can.
“I don’t think we have anything concrete, but I would hope that politicians would see the benefits of this,” said Spingle. “So, we’ll keep pushing this.”
