Former Twillingate plant workers say more has to be done after closure
‘It can’t work having these people fight to survive’
A hot evening sun beaming through the windows of the Lions Club could not erase the gloom and despair at Tuesday’s meeting regarding the closure of Notre Dame Seafoods Inc.’s plant.
Outrage and emotional pleas were voiced by many who had been without an income since their EI expired in March, and the solutions offered to ease the tensions were met with dissatisfaction and loud arguments.
“It’s ridiculous what they’re throwing at us. It’s shameful,” said John Hynes, vice-chair of the plant’s union local.
With the Twillingate plant closing its doors for the summer, Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) union representative Jason Spingle organized the event to deal with the questions and concerns of those affected.
Many out-of-work residents attended, as well as Lewis porte twilling at eMHA Derek Bennett and FFAW union members from the plant, Ray Hynes and John Hynes.
Having grown up in an outport community, Spingle says he understands the value the shrimp plant served for the community.
“I always knew that as the fishery went, so did everything else,” Spingle said. “So we’re pushing for a strategy that’s going to be proactive, and it’s absolutely going to take all levels of government to help with this transition.”
Spingle and Bennett detailed opportunities the provincial government is offering for those unemployed, many of whom had income tied solely to the shrimp plant.
An initiative was proposed to provide jobs with local businesses, in hopes the town can still be nurtured with income even with the lack of wealth coming from the fish plant. However, the program offers only minimum-wage jobs.
As well, opportunities to retrain plant workers with funding for schooling in various trade and technology fields were offered.
John Hynes voiced concern that these solutions were not enough, and he was cheered and applauded for his comments.
“They’re willing to send you out and pay you four times as much for school, pay for your apartment, but they’re only giving us a minimum wage to stay here,” he said. “All the money is going everywhere else other than your own pocket.”
Spingle agreed that the minimum-wage offer of $10.75 was not a livable wage for residents, and it was a reality the provincial government had to deal with.
“It can’t work having these people fighting to survive,” Spingle said. “We have to strive to do something better.”
Given that many of the plant workers are approaching retirement age, the option to retrain them in other fields was met with skepticism.
As well, with Fogo Island’s Co-op plant remaining open, many voiced concern that the plant would receive more work than ever before, and Twillingate’s disaster would become Fogo’s splendour.
Many were also outraged that Scott Simms, MP for the area, was not able to attend the meeting, as they were hopeful to bring some pressure to the federal government.
“Scott Simms should be here in Newfoundland with everything going on. That drives me right to the grind,” John Hynes said.
Barry Saunders, a representative for Simms, was in attendance to take notes on the meeting. Simms is expected back in central Newfoundland by Saturday.
One other option discussed was the possibility of returning the plant to a groundfish processing operation. While cod stocks are projected to keep rising, Ray Hynes, chair of Notre Dame Seafoods Inc.’s union local, said he is uncertain that this change could happen any time in the near future.
“It depends what circumstances arise,” Ray Hynes said. “Even with high cod stocks that decision may not take place for another five to ten years.”
Spingle says it would take roughly $10 million to $12 million to convert the plant for groundfish, and it may be a decision made sooner than many of the plant workers think.
“The Atlantic cod is an asset,” Spingle said. “We got arguably the best white fish in the world. In any case, there are opportunities for investment.”
A follow-up meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 4. Spingle says that meeting is key to furthering the conversation and finalizing solutions.
“Yes, there are tremendous challenges, but there are also realistic opportunities,” he said.
Now that the provincial government’s options have been brought to the table, Ray Hynes said he is hopeful about bringing pressure on the federal government to intervene and offer the out-of-work residents better alternatives, such as a retirement package for plant workers in their 60s.
“We’re just going to keep pushing,” he said. “We’ve been at this fight for months now, and we’re not giving in.”