Members of Fish Price Setting Panel announced

The members of the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel will help provide the basis for a timely start to the fishery, say Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment (HRLE), and Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Minister Shelley is pleased to announce the appointments of Joe O�Neill, Max Short and Bill Wells as the members of the first Standing Fish Price Setting Panel. Mr. O�Neill has kindly agreed to be the panel�s chairperson. These appointments are effective immediately. This follows recent amendments to the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act that passed in the House of Assembly on February 23, establishing the legislative framework for government to appoint a Fish Price Setting Panel.

"We continue to work to implement the collective bargaining provisions of the Cashin report in a timely manner," said Minister Shelley. "The Fish Price Setting Panel can help address some of the annual price disputes faced in the fishing industry, including the setting of a price if necessary. I am pleased that the panel members offer a strong balance of knowledge, credibility and experience."

"We consulted with both the FFAW and ASP on the panel membership. We selected individuals government believes have a broad range of knowledge and skills, both within the fishery and collective bargaining," said Minister Rideout. "I am confident that the fishing industry will be well served by the panel."

A staggered appointment process has been used to ensure continuity. Joe O�Neill, who has extensive experience in the field of labour relations, has been appointed for three years. Bill Wells, a labour lawyer, has been appointed for two years. Max Short, originally a fish harvester, has been appointed for a year. Members are eligible for reappointment following completion of their term and all future postings will be for three years.

The panel will have many functions. This will include facilitating collective bargaining and establishing parameters for negotiation. The panel will facilitate access by parties to collective bargaining information relating to the sale of fish, as well as act as an arbitration panel for the parties in setting fish prices. It may also set fish prices if the parties to negotiation are unable to agree on price. The panel will focus on matters related to the price and conditions of sale of fish.

• Background information about the Panel and the Cashin Report is available online at //www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2006/fishaq/0222n03.htm

Media contact:
Alex Marland, Human Resources, Labour and Employment, (709) 729-4062, 690-6047
Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Fisheries and Aquaculture, (709) 729-3733, 690-8403

Joseph P. O'Neill (Chair)
Joe O�Neill has dedicated his entire career to the field of labour relations. This includes service on numerous boards, including the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC), the Newfoundland and Labrador Safety Council (NLSC) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association (NLCSA). He has also worked on the Premier�s Task Force to address labour relations in the fishery, has served on the Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation (CAALL), and has represented the Canadian delegation in meetings before the International Labour Organization (ILO). During his extensive career with the public service Mr. O�Neill was a mediator and director of labour relations, as well as an assistant deputy minister and deputy minister with responsibilities for labour relations. In recognition for his work, Mr. O�Neill received the 2002 Public Service Award of Excellence for exceptional and distinguished service.

Bill Wells (member)
Bill Wells is a labour lawyer who was a president of the Fisheries Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (FANL) during the early 1980s. He is also a former president of the Canadian Saltfish Corporation and a former executive vice-president of Fisheries Products International (FPI). After recently retiring from the position of chief executive officer with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, a position he held since the early 1990s, Mr. Wells is now associated with the Cox Hanson O�Reilly Matheson law firm.

Max Short (member)
Originally a fisherman from St. Anthony, Max Short is a founding member of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) in Newfoundland and Labrador. He has experience as a certified bargaining agent representing fish harvesters and plant workers. He has also acted as a provincial representative for the federal minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). Mr. Short�s recent work has included working to address foreign overfishing.

2006 03 10                                       3:25 p.m.