Dwan Street has made history as the first female leader of one of the province’s most powerful unions, and she’s promising a defiant new future.

Street, who was elected over the summer, was officially sworn-in as president of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union in Gander yesterday, taking over from a retiring Greg Pretty.

She told delegates to the FFAW’s triennial convention it’s the beginning of a new era, a time for revitalization, solidarity, repairs and optimism.

She outlined the union’s resilience over the last five decades, and remains defiant in the face of the pressures on harvesters and plant workers.

“In this era, we do not accept no for an answer, and in this era we will remain steadfast; in the words of our brothers in Burgeo who displayed that sign proudly that said ‘never again will we beg.'”

She also had a strong message for the plant owners, Ottawa and the decision-makers in DFO.

“We will not accept the disrespect from a federal government who so flippantly gives our lifeblood, our resources, to offshore companies and foreign nations. And we will not be disenfranchised by employers and corporations who continue to try and beat down workers on the plant floor, flip contracts, putting your health and safety and your wellbeing in jeopardy—all for a dollar.”