Alpesca prawn trawler. (Photo: Stock File)

Sailors’ strike paralyzes Alpesca vessels

ARGENTINA
Friday, July 20, 2012, 23:40 (GMT + 9)

Those sailors that are members of the Maritime Workers' Union (SOMU) decided to stop freezer and fresh product fleets due to wage demands. This action has been joined by prawn fishermen working for Alpesca, who are protesting for unpaid wages and lack of payment of all the boat trips.

The workers marched towards the gateway to the company's factory in Puerto Madryn fishing park, waiting for a response from Baldino group.

According to Horacio Tressa, a leader of SOMU local branch in Puerto Madryn, the move was made due to "the careless attitude towards payments, claims that have not been met in full, failure to pay bonuses and for fishing trips," Diario Jornada reported.

"This has been a common and constant situation since these owners took over the plant," added the representative of workers for Alpesca.

"We met with entrepreneurs and the conversation lasted four minutes because they raise the same old thing. They have been told that if we go on strike and stop the free movement they will not be able to export and so, the payment chain will be interrupted," Tressa added.

Meanwhile, the company decided to divert the raw material from Madryn to the plants in Mar del Plata, which contributes to removing 'hours/worker' from the local plant itself, Diario de Madryn reported.

In May 2011, executives from Alpesca officially confirmed workers that the company had been sold to a joint venture of national and foreign capital, so Irvin & Johnson – the African investment group -- would stop having control over the stocks.

Related article:

- Alpesca ensures employment after confirming sale

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

Print