OCI contract talks break off

Ocean Choice International and Newfoundland and Labrador's main fisheries union have broken off negotiations for a new contract with fish plant workers in six communities.

Talks failed Tuesday despite the assistance of a provincially appointed conciliator.

The Fish, Food and Allied Workers union said OCI is looking for too many concessions.

The company says it's offering increases that would make the workers the highest paid in the province's seafood industry.

OCI has offered it increase wages to $13.45 per hour. In a news release, the company said the collective agreement that expired recently was the highest total compensation agreement in the province's seafood industry.

The FFAW said it will hold a strike vote. The company said it is open to trying to restart negotiations before any job action is taken.

This is the first contract OCI has negotiated with this group of workers since the company took over the former Fishery Products International plants in Bonavista, Dildo, Marystown, Port Union, Port aux Choix and Triton.