Fish, Food and Allied Workers' (FFAW) union members at six Ocean Choice International (OCI) processing plants across the province will hold an official strike vote Thursday and Friday, May 6-7.
According to a FFAW news release, a second round of talks between the FFAW and OCI, which were convened by a provincial conciliator, broke off on April 20. Workers have been in a legal strike position since that time.
The FFAW says the company had been seeking significant concessions on wages, overtime, holidays and vacation pay.
"We have not heard anything from the company since the last round of talks broke off, and workers are no longer content to sit idly by, waiting to hear something," said Ben Baker, the FFAW's chief industrial negotiator.
"The last time we met the company only wanted to talk about concessions and to date we have no evidence to suggest that stance has changed. Workers are ready to take action and let OCI know how important they think this issue is."
The strike votes will be held in the communities where the OCI processing plants are located, including Port aux Choix, South Dildo, Port Union, Bonavista, Marystown and Triton.
Upwards of 1,500 workers have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2009 when the previous three-year deal, which had been leftover from the days of Fishery Products International (FPI), expired.
Negotiations between the two sides had broken off previously, back in mid-February, prompting the FFAW to apply for conciliation at that time.
Union sets dates for OCI workers strike vote
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Published on
April 30, 2010
- Published on July 1, 2010
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Staff ~ The Telegram
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