'Taking down the saltwater mafia': Fish harvesters move towards new union

The process to formalize a breakaway fish harvesters union beganat the Albatross Hotel in Gander Thursday morning.

"I've never seen the unrest as widespread as it is today. It's in every corner of the province," said the leader of theFederation of Independent Seafood Harvesters (FISH-NL),Ryan Cleary, in his opening address.

"It's now or never."

Cleary, a former New Democrat member of Parliament, was acclaimed as president of theunion that presents itself as arival to the Fish, Food and Allied Workers.

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• Ryan Cleary says fishermen want him to set up a new union

"We don't have a lot of money, but we have a lot of will, we have a lot of determination to move this forward, so your being here means a lot,"Clearytold harvesters.

"The revolution begins today, that's why we're here," he said.

"We're looking at taking down what I consider as the saltwatermafia," said Reg McDonald who drove to GanderfromSummersideon the province's west coast.

We're looking at taking down what I consider as the saltwatermafia.- Reg MacDonald, fisherman

"When this is said and done we will be on to better things, and a better fishery," he said.

"We gave theFFAW45 years. They never done nothing with it. All they did was get a gold-plated pension and we got nothing but a slap in the ass on the way to the door."

'It can't get no worse'

The meeting Thursday attracted about 100 people, with lots of empty seats at the front of the room.

Those who attendedendorsed a constitution and statement of principles, and agreed that membership in the new union should cost $5.

Brad Watkins, who fishes out of the 3K area on the northeast coast, said people are looking toClearyto be a strong leader.

"It's nice to see the hats and the bumper stickers. It's nice to see the face of a new union come together," he said.

Despite Thursday's turnout, Watkins saidhe's hearing a lot of interest in fishing communities.

"Pretty well theconsensusisit can only go up. It can't get no worse. We get this union, it can only better us," he said."I'm pretty positive it's going to work out, it's going to go through."

Following Thursday'smeeting,FISH-NLwill distribute certification cards, thensubmit an application to the labour board, which willcheckto see if there isa majority of 50 per cent plus one support among all the province's fish harvesters.

"This has got to be a crashing victory," Jim Bennett, a former MHA and lawyer, told people attending the meeting. "Yougottaget the cards."

Goal to be certifiedby January

LyndonSmall fromBaieVertesaid he will be working to help organize. Hesaid people in his area are excited about a new union.

"You know there's a lot of frustration out there on the wharves, in the garages and on the stages. You know people are looking for a viable alternative." Small said.

"I've seen a lot of issues over the past several decades that I've been very dissatisfied with ...There's a lot of work that needs to be done."

Fish-NL begins formalization

8 years ago

Duration 2:04

The process to formalize a breakaway fish harvesters union began at the Albatross Hotel in Gander Thursday morning. Ryan Cleary was acclaimed as president of Fish-NL.

RichardGillett, aTwillingatefisherman who is also star of the Cold Water Cowboy television series, was elected vice-president of Fish-NLat the meeting.

The post of secretary-treasurer went toJohannaRyan Guy, a businesswoman from St. Brendan's who lost two brothers in a 2004 fishing accident.

Cleary hopes the union will be certifiedby January.