Fisheries union, company back at bargaining table

Talks resumed Monday between Newfoundland and Labrador's fisheries union and top executives at Fishery Products International, but they failed to produce any breakthroughs in the ongoing and often tumultuous contract negotiations.

Negotiations restarted last week after a two-month hiatus, but broke down within minutes over the company's demand for wage concessions.

FPI asked to roll back employees' hourly wages to $11 from $13.66, saying that the high Canadian dollar and high cost of fuel are making it difficult to do business and turn a profit.

However, the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union said the wage rollback was "totally unrealistic."

Monday's meeting was the first since talks broke off last week.

Union president Earle McCurdy said the meeting was tough, but added that it does signal a willingness on both sides to resume bargaining.

"We shouldn't kid ourselves. There are obstacles and problems facing us that we have to try and get resolved, but I think it was an important step," said McCurdy.

McCurdy would not talk specifically about what was discussed at the meeting, but said he hopes collective bargaining will restart in earnest by next week.

About 2,000 FPI workers have been without a contract for the past year.