NLIS 2
January 13, 2003
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

 

Minister comments on FPI-Union tentative MOU

Fishery Products International (FPI) and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW/CAW), have reached an tentative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the company�s groundfish operations on the province�s south coast, which will see significant capital investment while protecting workers and enhancing plant productivity. Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today congratulated the two parties on reaching this important agreement.

"I am very pleased that FPI and the FFAW were successful in negotiating a MOU will see meaningful capital investment, while maintaining current employment levels," said the minister. "Only one year ago, FPI was preparing to implement an investment strategy which would have resulted in more than 600 job losses in the three groundfish plants in Marystown, Fortune and Harbour Breton. At that time, government undertook to ensure that FPI live up to previous commitments on employment related issues. Government�s efforts in resolving the issue resulted in legislative amendments to the FPI Act, in an effort to protect processing workers. It was viewed by some as a dramatic move, however I am confident that had we not taken action last year, we would not see this protection provided to employees."

Union officials are in the process of presenting the tentative deal to workers at the three affected plants, as a part of the collective bargaining process between the company and employees.

"I am very pleased that FPI is living up to commitments regarding employment," added Minister Reid. "I am also encouraged to see that negotiations between the company and the union appear to be progressing in a mutually beneficial manner. This is positive news for the workers, the company and the industry as a whole."

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-3733, or (709) 727-3438.

2003 01 13                                       4:00 p.m.


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