Achi news desk-
Newfoundland and Labrador’s lucrative snow crab season opened days ago, but harvesters have not taken to the water because of a standoff over the pricing formula, which has fish plant workers applying for relief, a Progressive Conservative fisheries critic said.
After weeks of protest, including the closing of the Confederation Building, fish harvesters scored big with concessions on who they could sell their catch to.
The situation soured soon after, when the new crab price formula was revealed.
According to communications representative for the Seafood Producers Association, Sara Norris, the harvester share is between 53.9 per cent and 56.9 per cent and, as the market price increases, so does the price paid to harvesters. There is also no cap on the price paid to harvesters.
Once the market is above $8, harvesters keep a margin of 56.9 percent and as the price continues to increase, this percentage remains the same.
But harvesters refuse to go out on the water with the current formula.
Bonavista MHA Craig Pardy called the situation unfortunate and said he hoped to avoid a repeat of last year, when the start of the season was delayed by six weeks.
“We had 450 workers at the factory in Bonavista. Many of them — after going through last year with the delay in the season [and]new change in the formula for EI – have been short on their EI benefits,” he told CBC News.
Pardy said he had heard that more than 50 workers at the Bonavista factory had their EI support lapsed and were now without income.
“Some of those have gone to the office to look at income support. and that’s where we are. So how vital is it that we start this fishery? It’s critical,” said Pardy. “The health and well-being and livelihood of many is on the line.”
More than 180 people in trouble
The problem is something the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union said they have been trying to bring to the attention of the Newfoundland and Labrador government for months.
In an open letter dated April 5, FFAW president Greg Pretty told Gerry Byrne, the immigration, population growth and skills minister, that recent changes to EI had hurt plant workers in recent months.
In November, the federal fall fiscal update indicated that regional unemployment rates were down, leading to a reduction in EI benefits for some. The federal government said it is adding an extra four weeks of regular benefits in some economic zones, including Newfoundland and Labrador.
In addition to adjustments in the number of weeks payable for regular benefits, employees must now reach a minimum of 490 hours worked to be eligible, instead of the previous 420. Their benefits are based on their best 16 weeks of work, rather than the best 16 weeks of work. previous standard of 14.
At the time, Pretty raised concerns about how the decision would go affect seasonal plant workersestimating that they would be out hundreds of dollars a month.
In Pretty’s recent letter, he said claimants received up to $400 less in benefits over the winter and their claims expired four to six weeks before the 2024 season.
“While our union is working very hard to ensure an orderly and timely fishery in 2024, many processing plant workers have been without income for almost four weeks (loss of income that cannot be recovered), and they have no choice other than taking advantage of social activities. help,” he wrote.
More than 180 unionized factory workers have contacted the union about the growing income gap, he said.
“For clarity, we are seeking programming that will allow these plant workers to receive economic assistance to stabilize the workforce and promote retention to prevent people from experiencing poverty,” Pretty wrote.
He is calling for a meeting with Byrne to discuss what economic assistance programs are available to help affected workers.
CBC News asked FAW for comment but did not hear back by publication time.
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Crab nexus means plant workers turn to income support, Opposition critic says – CBC.ca appeared first on Canada News Media.
