Human Resources, Labour and
Employment
Fisheries and Aquaculture
December 14, 2010
Provincial
Government Brings Forward Amendments to
the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act
The Provincial Government today
announced proposed amendments to the Fishing Industry
Collective Bargaining Act that will provide improvements to
the fish price-setting model and benefit the fishing industry of
Newfoundland and Labrador.
The amendments introduced today
include important provisions to ensure that, when required,
prices are set by the Fish Price-Setting Panel early in the
fishing season. They also include a new regulation-making
authority for the minister responsible for the Labour Relations
Agency that will support a more efficient reconsideration
process.
�Since first introducing the
Standing Fish Price-Setting Panel, the province has undergone
five fishing seasons and with that experience we see opportunity
to adjust the legislative framework and make further
improvements,� said the Honourable Joan Burke, Acting Minister
of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister
Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency. �The amendments to
the legislation will refine the price-setting model in order to
provide further stability for the industry, ensure that prices
are established early in the season and reinforce the
responsibility of the parties to engage in collective
bargaining. These amendments will send a stabilizing message to
the international markets that the process for setting fish
prices in Newfoundland and Labrador is secure and that business
can continue.�
In spring 2006, the Provincial
Government brought forward amendments to the Fishing Industry
Collective Bargaining Act to establish a balanced regime for
collective bargaining through the establishment of the Standing
Fish Price-Setting Panel. In late 2006, the Provincial
Government introduced further amendments related to the
reconsideration process. The 2010 amendments are designed to
further strengthen the legislation.
�The matter of price setting in
the fishing industry has always been difficult,� said the
Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
�There are a number of uncertainties related to international
market prices, quota levels and exchange rates. There are also
challenges in terms of incomes and margins in the fishing
industry and the volatility of the global marketplace. These
amendments will assist the industry in responding to address
these challenges and provide a more effective price setting
model for the industry.�
In developing the amendments,
consultations were held with the Fish, Food and Allied Workers�
Union, the Association of Seafood Producers, the Seafood
Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Standing Fish
Price-Setting Panel.
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Media contacts:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca |
Lori Lee
Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca
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2010 12 14
8:00 p.m.
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