Monthly Archives: May 2023

Members of UFCW Local 400 who work at Ocean Harvesters in Reedville, Va., recently ratified a new contract that strengthens wages and benefits.

For more than 100 years, workers at the company have been committed to fishing menhaden fish in a responsible manner; equally respecting the environment in which they operate and the health of the menhaden population that they harvest.  The menhaden fish are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids that are processed into oil, meal and other nutritional products. The fishing season runs from May to December.

The three-year contract includes increases in base pay rates and incentive rates for all members, who are paid by the amount of fish caught per boat within regulatory limits. The contract raises rig-up pay, covering work to prepare vessels for the season; grub pay, covering food while on the boats; spread money; and extra weekend pay when the minimum is not caught.

The contract also provides for significant increases in performance bonuses, and adds Juneteenth as an additional holiday. In addition, the members won inclusion of second chance language for members who suffer from addiction, test positive for drugs, and successfully complete a United States Coast Guard-approved rehabilitation program.

“Menhaden fishing is difficult, demanding work, and our members have more than earned this strong, new agreement,” said UFCW Local 400 President Mark P. Federici. “They work long hours under tough conditions and they are the best fisherpeople anywhere. Plus, their lobbying and advocacy year after year helps keep Ocean Harvesters and Omega Protein in business. They’re essential to these companies’ profitability and their strong solidarity ensured they’ll be receiving a larger share of the prosperity they generate.”

On April 28—Workers Memorial Day—the UFCW honored workers who have been killed, injured, disabled or harmed in the workplace, and called on elected officials and corporate leaders to further protect the lives of America’s workers.

“Over the last several years, workers across the country, both union and non-union, have stared down unprecedented risk on the job,” said UFCW International President Marc Perrone in a statement. “Workers have been endangered by a deadly global pandemic, the ongoing epidemic of gun violence, and the indefensible steps taken by some legislators around the country to roll back workplace protections. Our union, which represents 1.3 million essential workers across the country, has felt the deadly, heartbreaking impact of these dangers. This Workers Memorial Day, our union stands with the families, communities, and coworkers who have lost loved ones.”

“This day reminds us that above all, the sacrifices and safety of the millions of workers who continue to risk their lives to keep our nation running should never be taken for granted,” Perrone added. “If our nation’s leaders truly intend to honor the lives we have lost, they must take action to further protect workers at every level. This means advocating for legislation that prioritizes workplace safety first, whether it is from the ongoing threat of gun violence or pandemic-related risks that workers still face. The UFCW will never cease fighting for meaningful improvements in workplace safety, both at the bargaining table and in the legislative process, for each and every single worker in this country.”