The announcement of canning operations at Samoa Tuna Processors coming to a temporary halt in December has not filtered down to the workforce.
When KHJ News canvassed workers at the Atuu STP plant this morning, few were aware, some have not heard, and others had some knowledge but no specifics about the Tri Marine decision.
Some of the employees seemed to think the temporary closure was for the cannery’s usual Christmas shutdown while others didn’t appear worried saying it’s their understanding that it was just temporary.
The two canneries usually break for the Christmas and New Year holidays for two weeks.
A supervisor who has been with STP for less than a year said they were informed at a meeting this morning about suspended operations beginning December 11 and his interpretation is that only those in the cannery production will be affected.
He pointed out that there are other personnel who will still be working and he was not sure if he will be among those.
Tri Marine spokesperson Heidi Happonen says the exact number of employees who will be retained is not known at this time.
A young woman from Samoa who has been working at the cannery for 8 months said she missed the meeting where the announcement was made.
She didn’t seem concerned saying its just the usual Christmas break.
But one mother couldn’t believe the timing of the work suspension so close to Christmas.
The woman who said she left StarKist Samoa for the new cannery two months ago said the holidays is when there are several family obligations such as weddings, title investiture ceremonies and of course Christmas.
A security guard with a year long tenure at STP said they were informed at a staff meeting this morning of the suspended operations but declined to comment saying they have been told only the General Manager can speak publicly about this matter,
