Dear Editor,
The purpose of the fishermen’s union was to protect the interest of the fishing people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The fisherpeople of Newfoundland and Labrador were members of the UFCW but broke away from this union with the help of Richard Cashin and Earl McCurdy to form the FFAW. Why? To join with UNIFOR – only to cover dirty deals and tracks.
Premier Ball does not want to help the fishermen because FFAW is doing what the premier wants to accomplish: to get rid of rural Newfoundland Labrador.
Minister Byrne will not help! He gets a federal pension and a provincial pension. We only see him at election time when he needs our vote.
Minister Byrne has cancelled three meetings with FISH-NL but he meets with the FFAW. His lack of interest and respect for our organization is demonstrated through his unwillingness to hear our side of the story.
Mr. Byrne: We trusted you and voted for you. We thought YOU had our best interests at heart.
I have been requesting information such as financial statements from the FFAW for several years. I am unable to obtain these records. This indicates they are trying to hide information from the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. The union constitution states they must release the records to its union members.
Our human rights are being violated. Our forefathers fought many years ago for the fishery. Once again, we must stand together as a group and FIGHT for our rightful place in the fishing industry.
We feel we are forgotten and must demonstrate through peaceful means how we feel. We are trying to voice our opinions and freedom of rights through peaceful demonstrations. Certain organizations are attempting to keep us quiet by threatening to charge us. They do not want us to speak out, they are fearful! What are they trying to hide?
If the FFAW are convinced the majority of the fishermen want them to represent them – have the vote and stop the hardship for the fisher people and move forward!
Dean Offrey Sr.
Port au Choix
