There’s a tentative agreement in the month-long dispute over the province’s lucrative snow crab industry.
The FFAW and seafood producers have been at odds over the price that was set at $2.20 per pound.
The union has insisted harvesters can’t break even, let alone make a profit fishing at that price.
ASP, the Association of Seafood Producers, had stood pat on that until today, when they made a new offer to the harvesters.
Earlier today, ASP made a new offer to the FFAW Snow Crab Bargaining Committee, bringing the industry closer to a solution this season. Presented for consideration was: https://t.co/X3FxFEuaKx
— FFAW-Unifor (@FFAW_Unifor) May 5, 2023
That includes a provision that the price will not go below $2.20 for this season, but could go up pending any request for reconsideration by the union or ASP.
Trip limits and scheduling will also be enforced “to ensure fairness and equity, and orderliness in the fishery.”
In a news release, the union says there is also “a strong commitment to buy crab for the whole season.”
The union says it will put the ASP offer to its inshore councils and fleets over the next 24 hours to gauge interest in accepting it.
The FFAW will also be asking DFO for season extensions.