FISH-NL demonstrators disperse from FFAW offices after demands not met

Protesting fishermen have ended their demonstration atthe Fish, Food and Allied Workers(FFAW) office after union officials wouldn't agree to their demands.

The group of fishermen making up FISH-NL the Federation of Independent Seafood Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador istrying to break away from theFFAW. Its vice-president, Richard Gillett, ended an 11-day hunger strike on Sunday.

• 'I got my son back. To hell with the rest of it,' says Richard Gillett's father
• RichardGillettsupporters block DFO exit as workers try to leave

"We want a meeting with BillBroderick, JohnBoland, Keith Sullivan and Dave Decker," said Rod Rowe, a fisherman from Fogo who has been fishing more than 30 years, earlier Monday."The fishermen [are] fed up with the union here. Our voices are not getting to Ottawa."

"You all watchedRichardGillettstarve himself. What did Ottawa do? What did our union do? What did our provincial government do? Absolutely nothing. They were willing to let him die. We're not going to sit down and die either."

About 60 fishermen gathered outside the FFAW Monday morning asking for a meeting with the union and insisting the media be present when the two sides sit down.

The FFAWagreed to meet with representatives from each fishing area Wednesday, according to RNC Supt. Joe Boland, who was acting as a liason.But protesting fishermen left when there was no commitment to allow the media to be there.

RNC warned FFAWof threats of violence

The FFAW is set to meet amongstthemselves Monday afternoon to discuss the day's events. The building was empty when demonstrators arrived. A spokesperson said they'd been advised Sunday night by the RNC of threats of violence, so the office was closed Monday.

A statement from theFFAWfollowing Monday's protestsaid the demonstration was organized by FISH-NL to "generate support in light of its struggling union drive that was rejected by 75 per cent of fish harvesters."

The FFAWalso accusedFISH-NL's president Ryan Cleary and its leadership of "pitting harvester against harvesters, promoting lies and misstating facts," and said there is little Cleary and FISH-NL will not do "to draw attention and boost their profile."

The statement said FFAW will meet with harvesters, but not with FISH-NL, and added that the meeting will take place in private, without media attendance.

Fishermen protesting outside FFAW

8 years ago

Duration 1:03

Rod Rowe, from Fogo, says FFAW union officials aren't listening to the concerns fishermen are voicing

Rowe said he spoke withJohn Boland, a staff representative at the FFAW, by phone who told Roweto "have at her," before hanging up on him.

"Enough is enough," said protester Donald Spence, who fishes out of the Northern Peninsula.

"I'm a member of FFAW, I pays all my duesand I wants to get in that building today."

The protest at FFAW followedRichard Gillett's address to supporters at his original protest site outside DFO in St. John's on Monday morning.

Gillettwas released fromhospital Sunday following an 11-day hunger strike.

"I wanted to do a hunger strike because it's non-violent, non-confrontational," Gillett, the vice-president of FISH-NL, toldthe crowd of about 60 fishermenin front of DFO.

"We may not have gotten exactly what we wanted from the government but I tell you we got far more."

Gillett said he's gotten calls of support from across the province and that the protest has opened people's eyes to the fishery.

"That's what this place was built on, was fish. That's why we came here 500 years ago and we finally brought that back in the forefront."

Richard Gillett greets supporters after hunger strike

8 years ago

Duration 2:29

Fishermen protesting outside DFO Monday were greeted by Richard Gillett, fresh off a hospital stay after his 11-day hunger strike

Gillettwas taken away in an ambulancefrom his protest site outside of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans building in St. John's on Sunday.

RyanCleary, president ofFISH-NL, sawGillettthat night at St.Clare'sMercy Hospital. HesaidGillettlost about 25-30 pounds but that Gillett will "be fine."

"I spoke to him twominutes ago and he was eating a piece of ham,"Clearytold CBC Radio'sSt. John's Morning Show, adding thatGillett'sfirst meal after his hunger strike was a bowl of soup at the hospital.

ClearysaidGilletttold him it was the best thing he's ever eaten.

"He's doing well,"Clearysaid.

"Bottom line is, he's out of the tent, he's out of the coldand he's eating again."

'There must be change'

Clearywasparked outside DFO headquarters in St. John's, where protesters gathered early Monday morning.

CBC News has learned employees were notified onSundayand weretold to stay home until further notice.

Protesters angry over DFO management and the department's relationship with the FFAW blocked the exitto the buildingFridayas workers attempted to leave for the day.

Eventually, everyone was allowed through.

"The pressure is not going to let up for change," Cleary said."There must be change."

'This is a victory'

Gillettstarted his hunger strike to urge a review of DFO scientificstudies and stock management. He also pleaded for an inquiry of the relationship between DFO and the rival FFAW.

While he didn't quite get what he was fighting for,Gillettnow has ameeting scheduled with Minister DominicLeBlanc.

"That's all that Richard got in terms of a commitment from the federal minister of fisheries and oceans,"Clearysaid.

Clearysaid the group isencouraged byDFO'scommitment to review the governance around the decision to not open the spring herring fishery, as well as the department's communication.

ThoughGillett'sdemands were not all met,Clearysaid the public is more aware now because of the protest.

"This is a victory awareness within DFO that there's a problem and within the broader Newfoundland and Labrador populous and the country."