It appears as though the two sides in the crab fishery have become even more entrenched, leading to calls for government to step in and offer extensions to EI benefits to those affected by the 6-week impasse.
The latest blow to discussions came yesterday when the FFAW indicated that an offer was being presented to its fisheries councils.
That prompted a quick response from the Association of Seafood Producers who said no offer or counter offer was on the table as the FFAW had claimed.
FFAW President Greg Pretty accused the producers of pulling the offer off the table in the midst of their attempts at ratification.
(Stock photo.)
He told VOCM News Talk that he expected tough bargaining, “but this sinks to a new level…We were in the process of ratifying that deal and now there’s no deal there.”
Pretty says even while the ASP says no offer had been tabled, he claims some processors were calling harvesters and telling them to go out fishing.
Association of Seafood Producers Executive Director Jeff Loder says harvesters were blocked from going out to fish Wednesday. He’s calling for government action.
He wants security for truckers, plant workers, and harvesters who want to go fishing.
Meanwhile, the latest development even had provincial Fisheries Minister Derrick Bragg wondering what had happened.
