Nova Austral workers threaten to strike

Debt-laden salmon farmer Nova Austral is facing the possibility of a strike after a union accused it of having “almost no” interest in reconciling positions regarding working conditions, breaks, and wages.

The Norwegian-owned company, which owes US $560 million, met with the Tierra del Fuego fish farming workers’ union for collective negotiations but the talks didn’t meet union expectations.

Union leaders said the next two weeks will be crucial to reach an agreement and avoid a strike that would further complicate the situation for the company, which has not yet been able to conclude a reorganisation of its liabilities.

Successive court hearings about the reorganisation have been postponed, the most recent postponement being last Tuesday. A new date has been set for December 15.

Job security

Fish Farming Expert’s Chilean sister site, Salmonexpert.cl, reports that the successive postponements have nevertheless allowed for the shaping of agreements that would satisfy creditors.

Employees are hoping for the continuity of operations and job security.

Their union has also pointed out in a statement that workers have defended the industry against its detractors and the government. The union also asserts that it won’t tolerate the neglect of workers’ demands in favour of the interests of foreign investor groups.

Nova Austral has warned that almost 3,000 direct and indirect jobs depend on it staying in business. Creditors include Norway’s DNB bank, which is owed $69 million.