FFAW: Ready to talk, but not cave

An official with the key fisheries union in Newfoundland and Labrador says it can bargain in good faith with Ocean Choice International, but it will not capitulate to concessionary demands.

Members of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union at six OCI plants voted 93 per cent in favour of a strike mandate.

OCI, which bought the plants from the crumbling Fishery Products International in 2007, said it cannot afford to operate without cutting costs, and said the employees will continue to receive the best package of wages and benefits in the province.

Allan Moulton, the FFAW local president in Marystown, said the union is ready for negotiations, so long as the employer has measured expectations.

"We're prepared to get back at the bargaining table any time, as long as the company is prepared to recognize what workers have done and that they have given up," said Moulton, noting that OCI workers agreed to concessions in 2007 to help with the transfer from FPI.

"They've given up a tremendous amount in wages and benefits and other things to try and see this company get off the ground and survive. So we've gone to the wall, quite frankly."

OCI is not commenting on the dispute, although CEO Martin Sullivan said in a statement Monday that the company was disappointed with the result of the strike vote, and that the union must be willing to compromise at the bargaining table.

If any subsequent talks fail, the union must give notice of a strike. Its approximately 1,200 members could be in a legal strike position within seven days.

Moulton said a strike could have a dramatic impact.

"A lot of the skilled tradespeople have already said to me, quite frankly, they were looking for a reason to stay in Marystown, to stay and work but if we [end] up on strike then they won't waste any time," he said.

"A lot of these skilled tradespeople are going to move immediately where they know there's opportunities."

The other five OCI plants represented by the FFAW are in Bonavista, Dildo, Port au Choix, Port Union and Triton.

Meanwhile, Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones has been pressing government to take action, and accused OCI of not living up to promises made when it took over in 2007.

"In 2007 at the Marystown plant, there were between 400 and 500 people working two shifts. Today the workforce is about 230 employees and they are down to one shift," Jones told the house of assembly Monday.

"Why is OCI not living up to the terms of their agreement and what is government doing about this to ensure that they do not continue to downsize and jeopardize the livelihoods of the fish workers in that area?" she asked Fisheries Minister Clyde Jackman.

Jackman said he is respecting the collective bargaining process, and said he hopes a resolution is found.

"This is probably one of the most challenging times to be in the groundfish business, which exactly is what the OCI plant in Marystown is," said Jackman, who represents the area in the legislature. "So, I know all about the challenges that they are facing at that particular facility."