Snow crab harvesters face final offer in search of better prices

The Fish, Food & Allied Workers union and the Association of Seafood Producers have reached what the FFAW calls a final counter-offer in their search for better snow crab prices.

Details were shared on the union's Facebook page around 9:30 p.m. NT, over two hours after a meeting between the two parties began.

The proposal sets $2.20 per pound as the minimum price of snow crab for the rest of the season. There is an opportunity for increases that would be tied to the Urner Barry Index, which dictates the market price.

The proposal, according to the FFAW's Facebook page, is as follows:

• When the index reaches $5.25 US, the price will increase to $2.25 per pound.
• At $5.50, the price will increase to $2.30.
• At $5.75, the price will increase to $2.40.
• At $6, the price will increase to $2.50.
• If the index price goes above $6, the union can submit for reconsideration to the price-setting panel.

The index price sat at $4.65 US onFriday.

"The bargaining committee has done everything they can to move the price of crab from the original decision," said FFAW president Greg Pretty in a press release shared on Facebook."It's been a very difficult few weeks for our members; enterprise owners, crew members, plant workers, dockside monitors and other fishery workers are experiencing economic strain and enormous stress due to the unknown."

Harvesters who hold snow crab licences will vote on the proposal over the next two days, the post said. Licence holders will receive an emailed poll according to the post, with a deadline to respond of 9 p.m. NT on Thursday.

CBC News asked bothPretty and ASP executive director Jeff Loder for comment before the meeting. Lodersaid he didn't have details to share before the meeting.

Fisheries Minister Derrick Bragg toldthe House of Assembly on Wednesday the two sides were negotiating a deal to get crab boats out on the water for the first time this season. By the end of the session, he had to stand up and report that talks had broken down again.

"This is the third time talks have broken off within that department, so if anybody's got some suggestions from the opposite side please bring them forward," he said.

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