Dwan Street elected as president of the FFAW
Street 1st woman to lead the fisheries' union, says a 'new era' is coming
Dwan Street is celebrating her election win to lead the Fish, Food & Allied Workers union, calling it a historic moment.
The first woman to lead the union, Street wore a T-shirt that reads "well-behaved women rarely make history," when interviewed for the first time as FFAW president elect. The shirt, she said, represents the significance of her victory
"This is not my grandfather's fishery anymore and it's not my grandfather's union. And I know plenty of women who are in the fishing boat and powerful, powerful women," Street told CBC News on Thursday.
Her victory was announced late Wednesday evening on her candidacy Facebook page.
"Tonight you put your faith in me and I am humbled, amazed and forever indebted," Street wrote on her election Facebook page.
Street was elected over businessman Dave Callahan and Marine Institute PhD student Abe Solberg, who is also the head of FFAW policy negotiations and its fishery scientist.
She will be replacing Greg Pretty, who announced in May he was not seeking reelection but would stay in the post until November.
During his tenure, Pretty presided over the fisheries' union during a tumultuous term that included two contentious tie-ups in back-to-back snow crab seasons as well as a days-long protest that shuttered the Confederation Building.
Under Street's leadership, the FFAW will see more boots on the ground and transparency, she said.
"One thing I do want to see is a lobbyist in Ottawa. I think for an organization of this size, we should have a voice that is constantly, constantly in the minister's office and in her ear and in the ear of her staff," Street said. "The public see the protests and they don't really understand the underlying issues and how important it is to the rest of Newfoundland and Labrador."
Street has a decade-long career with the FFAW already behind her. Her goal to work with the union started by witnessing its protests.
"Seeing the waterfront full, seeing crab pots go up flagpoles, the fight with RMS and seeing the power that the union had, I think a lot of that has been lost in recent years," she said.
She said letters, petitions and asking government nicely for a voice aren't working for the union anymore and members are losing trust.
"We're not seeing the results. So, you know, maybe we don't just need boots on the hill here, we need boots on the hill in Ottawa," Street said. "I hope that this union can be transparent. I think that's going to be big with the membership, whether that's financially, in meetings that are ongoing. We want membership to make sure they're informed. … A union is only as strong as its membership and we need everybody engaged."
Street, originally from Spillar's Cove on the Bonavista Peninsula, is already the FFAW staff representative for harvesters on Newfoundland's south and southwest coasts and has worked for the union for several years.
"The membership spoke and they spoke loud and hard today. I will not let you down. It has been a long day and it is late but I will have more to say later. The tide has changed," said Street in her post.
She thanked her parents, a former plant worker and a harvester, as well as her other supporters.
"The new era of FFAW is coming," she said.
Congrats pour in
The FFAW represents about 15,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"We extend our appreciation and gratitude to all candidates who had the courage to run in this election," spokesperson Courtney Langille said in a statement.
"Your dedication and commitment have positively impacted and strengthened our Union and contributed to the trajectory of this important organization."
In an email to CBC News, Langille said there were 8,598 ballots mailed for the election and 2,722 were returned, amounting to a return rate of nearly 32 per cent.
The Association of Seafood Producers congratulated the newly elected board and Street on being elected as the first woman to lead the FFAW.
"The Association of Seafood Producers and its membership look forward to working with you as we continue our commitment to sustainability, and to build the value of the fishery for the people of our province," executive director Jeff Loder said in a statement.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, N.L.'s Office of Women and Gender Equality also commented on Street's victory.
"Your groundbreaking election is an inspiration to many, and a significant milestone for your organization," said the post.
Other posts filled
Besides the presidency, there were other union board positions up for election.
Jason Sullivan, who had been rejected as a presidential candidate by the FFAW in 2023, has been elected as inshore vice-president.
Sullivan was a member of the former upstart group Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters N.L., which aimed to break away from the FFAW and form a new union for fish harvesters.
Brenda King was elected industrial-retail-offshore vice-president, Alvin Petten was elected inshore Avalon, Eldred Woodford was elected inshore northeast coast, Patsy Chaulk was elected industrial-retail-offshore Cape Freels to Cape Pine, and Sheldon Squibb was elected industrial-retail-offshore non-fishing.
Many positions were also acclaimed, including secretary-treasurer Jason Spingle, at-sea offshore board member Stephen Buffet, inshore south coast Kevin Hardy and offshore women's position Flora Mills.
Also acclaimed were Nancy Fillier (industrial-retail-offshore Northern Peninsula, Labrador, northeast coast Jackson's Arm), Cape Freels representative Nancy Fillier, crew member Lee Melindy, and Hubert Stacey (industrial-retail-offshore Cape Pine West to Cox's Cove).
Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
