StarKist: Phase 1 of cannery layoffs to start Sat.

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) - Nearly half of the 800 workers StarKist Co. plans to lay off at its American Samoa tuna cannery this year will lose their jobs this weekend.

"The first phase of layoffs will commence on Aug. 28, affecting 380 employees," StarKist Samoa General Manager Brett Butler testified Thursday before the U.S. territory's House Commerce Committee.

The panel called the hearing to learn the status of the company's planned layoffs, which were announced in May as a way to save money.

The job cuts will shrink StarKist's work force in American Samoa to less than 1,200, down from a peak of more than 3,000 two years ago.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20100827/D9HRIL7G1.html

[Art_from_Ark]

1. I can just envision pink slips with just two words on them:

"Sorry, Charlie"

[msongs]

2. exterminate the fish is not a good long term eating strategy eh? nt

[xxqqqzme]

3. that's what I was thinking

species depletion is a bummer.

[formercia]

4. Been there...It stank

The harbor was full of Japanese and Korean longliners. The Tuna sat in Ice and salt for weeks before it ever saw the cannery.

No telling how many millions of endangered fish were killed by these criminals.

[KamaAina]

5. The canneries are basically the only industry in American Samoa

many Samoans will have no choice but to head to Hawai'i or the mainland. :(

edit: I should say "cannery". The other one closed altogether. Damn commie minimum wage laws. :sarcasm: