2,372 names not enough to certify rival union, says FFAW

The Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union says a rival group that's angling to represent inshore fish harvesters does not have the numbers itneeds to be certified.

"The numbers are now public and it is clear FISH-NL does not have adequate support," said FFAWpresident Keith Sullivanin a news release Monday afternoon.

The Federation of Independent Seafood Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador (FISH-NL) said earlier in the day that 2,372 harvesters from more than 300 communities have signed its cards.

• 'David vs. Goliath': FISH-NL applies for union status, mum on numbers

"From all indications that number represents well over 50 per cent of all inshore fish harvesters," said FISH-NL president Ryan Cleary.

But the numberfalls far short of half the 10,200 active, dues-paying inshore harvesters who are members of the FFAW. The number registered with theProfessional Fish Harvesters Certification Board is slightly higher, at10,995.

FISH-NLnumbers "misrepresent the industry and discount the many good jobs that exist in the fishery," said Sullivan in his release.

He also said the FFAW willbe raising concerns to the provincial Labour Relations Board "related to fraudulent and tainted cards and the manner by which signatures were obtained."

FISH-NL counter-claims it has heard from harvesters who say they've been "threatened and intimidated" against signingcards a claim theFFAWdenies and that other fishers tied to processors through financial arrangements have also been advised not to sign.

FISH-NLmath usingharvesters drawing EI

Ryan Cleary, meanwhile, explained his math in an interview with CBC News on Monday.

He said a federal Access to Information Actrequest revealed 6,354 harvesters received employment insurance in February 2015, the highest total in any month of that year. He said that's a better indicator of the "real list of bonafide inshore harvesters" in the province.

"And from that list you have to deduct the number of offshore trawlermen," he said. "Nobody believes the FFAW, so that's why we went to ATIP and filed this request."

Clearysaid previously thatFISH-NL would need 40 per cent support to trigger a certification vote, and that threshold was a reduction of the union's previous target of 50 per cent.

Now that the application has been filed, Cleary said the FFAWhas 10 days to respond, then FISH-NL will have another five days to rebut.

TheLabour Relations Board will then do its own investigation, including a review of all cards, a process that could take weeksor months.

The board could dismiss the application, order a public hearing or call a vote.

FISH-NL expects to be fundraising again for that stage of the process.

"You're talking about a lot of money," said Cleary. "We need fish harvesters to step up."