NAPE says Country Ribbon CEO bullying workers with threats of downtime

The head of theunion representingworkers at the province's largest chicken operation says the unionhas no plan to call a strike, but is losing faith in the employer's desire to take part in a proper negotiation process.

A memo from Country Ribbon CEO Ian Blenkham obtained by CBC News on Tuesday stated that the company had not put new chickens in its barn since Oct. 5, which could mean at least eight weeks of work stoppage at its facilitieson East White Hills Road and Cochrane Pond.

• No work at Country Ribbon for 'weeks to come,' as company preps for strike

The memo went on to say the company is expecting a strike from the workers, after employees rejected the latest contract offer from Country Ribbon and walked out of a meeting on Monday.

These employees, these Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, are not going to be intimidated.- Jerry Earle

Jerry Earle, the head of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE), questions whyBlenkham circulatedthe memo while negotiations are still taking place between the union andBlenkham's own negotiator.

"The last thing we want, that any union wants, despite what some may think, is to haveto invoke job action," Earle said. "They've been working diligently to try and reach anagreement."

Bullying tactics

Earle said that as negotiations continue, Blenkhamkeeps modifying his conditions when the union agrees to something. He also says the CEO has been circumventing the bargaining process by going into the plant and trying to intimidate workers personally.

Earlesays that'sunacceptable.

"Those employees were pretty upset, they felt it was an attempt to intimidate them," Earlesaid.

"Well I have a message for this employer. These employees these Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are not going to be intimidated, noris their union."

Some of the issues that are causing problems during the bargaining process are focusedaround raises and the proposalthat workers be required to work on Saturdays under certain conditions.

Earle said Blenham'sdecision to stop placing chicks in the barn on Oct. 5in anticipation of a strike doesn't add up, as provincial labour legislation means the earliest that NAPE members could voteon a stike is Oct. 22.

Regardless, hesaid it's clear Blenkhamhas no intention to compromise if he's resorting to personal bullying tactics even while the bargaining process is ongoing.

"I'm not sure this owner is even aware that there's conversations taking place by a negotiator that he has hired on his behalf. We are talking on both sides but it appears the owner is not even letting his own negotiating team do the work here," he said.

"He may be able to run the business but it appears he's certainly not experienced with collective bargaining."