Victory for workers at Potlotek First Nations fishery – UFCW 864

Cape Breton, N.S. – May 4, 2017 – UFCW Canada Local 864 members at the Potlotek First Nations fishery in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia have reaffirmed their solidarity with UFCW after their bargaining unit – which previously fell under federal jurisdiction – was reclassified as a provincially regulated workplace by the Nova Scotia Labour Board.

In a recent certification vote, the two-dozen members at the fishery voted to remain members of UFCW Canada Local 864 after the employer successfully argued to the Labour Board that the bargaining unit should fall under provincial jurisdiction. The Potlotek members harvest snow crab, lobster, and ground fish off the coast of Chapel Island, which is part of Cape Breton Island.

Prior to the certification vote, the employer disputed the number of workers who belonged to the bargaining unit, but the Labour Board sided with the union and awarded Local 864 the right to represent all workers at the fishery. Now that the workers have voted to remain members of UFCW Canada Local 864, and the bargaining unit has been reclassified as a provincially regulated workplace, the Local plans to begin negotiations with the employer very shortly. 

“We are thrilled that the Potlotek fishery workers have unanimously voted to remain with UFCW,” says Shauna MacDonald, the President of UFCW Canada Local 864. “We are excited to continue representing these members in the workplace and at the bargaining table, and we look forward to negotiating with the employer as soon as possible,” she adds.