FPI proposal 'totally unrealistic,' union says
The union representing fishery workers in Newfoundland and Labrador says Fishery Products International's latest contract proposal to roll back hourly wages is unacceptable.
Talks between FPI and the Fish Food and Allied Workersresumed Monday after negotiations broke down two months ago when the company failed to reach a deal to sell off some of its Newfoundland operations.
At the time, the union accused FPI of trying to cut jobs and benefits.
However, FFAW president Earle McCurdy said the union is also unimpressed with the company's latest request. He said FPI is demanding an hourly wage rollback as a precondition to negotiations.
"Before the company even came to the table, they sent a message via a conciliation officer who was appointed by the Department of Labour saying that a precondition of negotiations was that we agree to a $2.66 wage rollback," said McCurdy.
"How they thought that that would be acceptable is beyond me. It's totally unrealistic."
The rollback would cut the workers' hourly wage to $11.
McCurdy said FPI's approach to collective bargaining is an abuse of the privileges given to the company by the federal and provincial governments. He said he will now be asking for meetings with both levels of government.
About 2,000 FPI workers have been without a contract for the past year. McCurdy said it's in the company's interest to make sure they stay on the job.
"There's a lot of yellowtail flounder that could be left swimming in the ocean this year if something doesn't get cracking," he said.
"Now, that quota of flounder expires at the end of the year, so it's important to get things settled."
Russ Carrigan, a spokesman with FPI, said it will be difficult for negotiators to reach a deal that will please all parties involved.
"We have to be able, I think, to acknowledge that there is a pretty wide gulf in some of the positions that have been laid out so far," said Carrigan.
"Whatever our new collective arrangement is going to be, it will have to be a realistic reflection of where the industry as a whole is right now."
Union officials will meet Tuesday to review their options.