“Boats are ready to sail and plant workers are ready to go to work,” said Fish, Food and Allied Workers president Earle McCurdy on May 3 as a dispute over crab prices between fishermen and processors was settled at the last minute.

The agreement was reached with Newfoundland’s major crab buyers, represented by the Association of Seafood Producers, and it came after three days of mediations talks facilitated by the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Relations Agency.

The crab fishery, worth more than $400 million to Newfoundland and Labrador, had been delayed as a result of a price dispute with most of the province’s major buyers, although the union and five buyers outside the ASP Group had reached a price agreement more than two weeks ago.

For weeks, the declaration by fishermen was “no contract, no crab.” According to the crab price agreement, the starting price for crab will be a minimum of $2.40 (Canadian) per pound. (This price may be higher based on a market analyst’s first report. In that case, harvesters will be entitled to a retroactive adjustment, according to McCurdy.)

For the remainder of the season the minimum crab price will be based on a market formula that is tied to current market prices and foreign exchanges rates updated every two weeks. The new agreement increases raw material prices under the formula by approximately 25 cents per pound compared to the 2003 formula.

McCurdy said that that the agreement with the buyers also includes a Memorandum of Understanding that allows for an independent pricing monitor to be appointed by the provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

He added, “Since last year when the companies closed down the crab and shrimp plants, this has been about one thing – power and control.”