FFAW-Unifor Triennial Convention strategizes for the future of the fishery and workers across Newfoundland and Labrador

In a jam-packed agenda from November 18 to 19, the 14th FFAW-Unifor triennial Constitutional Convention celebrated victories over the past three years and looked at issues on the horizon for the union’s 14,000 members across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray was invited to speak on panels to discuss involving young workers to build a stronger union, strategies for negotiating your best collective agreement, competition and fairness for workers in the province, and the roles and responsibilities of committee members. 

“I was honoured to be invited to attend and to speak with FFAW-Unifor members this week, who never shy away from a fight and who are known for their incredible trade union activism,” said Murray. “These workers are facing many complex challenges and barriers but there is no doubt that FFAW-Unifor members will never back down.”

Murray also joined the Women’s Conference held on November 17 that explored issues of mental health in the workplace, sharing the experiences of trailblazing women of FFAW-Unifor, and how women can organize to overcome stigmas and stereotypes that stand in the way of equal treatment on the job.

“It was incredible to hear from the FFAW-Unifor sisters and see the network of mentorship and mutual inspiration that exists here,” said Murray. 

In another achievement for equity in labour, FFAW-Unifor saw its first woman president, Dwan Street, sworn in this week. Dwan took the helm from outgoing president Greg Pretty. 

Unifor thanks Greg for his longtime devotion and contributions to the union and wishes him well in his retirement. The national union looks forward to working with Dwan and the newly-elected executive of FFAW-Unifor as they navigate the union into the future.

Delegates and guests learned more about the FFAW’s historic tie-up in the spring of 2023 as they fought processors for better prices on snow crab, moved a discussion forward with the provincial government on the issue of binding arbitration, and even heard from NHL legend and former Maple Leafs star Darryl Sittler.

Sittler left the group with the encouragement he lives by and that exemplifies the work trade unionists do every day by saying “You never know when you’re going to make a difference, but if you’re doing the little right things every day, it will happen.”