Source: Port Lincoln Times

Jobs will not necessarily be lost as a result of Port Lincoln Tuna Processors (PLTP) losing the last remaining Australian produced canning contract offshore, according to the company.

John West tuna will not be canned in Port Lincoln after May as the company is no longer able to compete with cheaper overseas tuna imports.

The government’s policy on imported tuna products (tariffs) and high labor costs were major contributing factors in PLTP losing this contract.

But the company told the Port Lincoln Times yesterday tuna canning was only one part of the business and they were continuing to work on other projects in order to retain as many staff as possible.

PLTP announced in a letter to its 260 employees on Friday it would stop producing under the John West tuna brand at the end of May.

This ends Australia’s long history of canning tuna with production set to move offshore, along with every other brand.

While there has been a great deal of media hype this week claiming numerous jobs would be lost, at this stage no employees have been made redundant and general manager Lea Traeger said the company was hoping to be able to keep all of its employees.

She said many of the workers were multi-skilled and could work in different areas of the business and others could be retrained if necessary.

The John West brand is only one of many products produced by PLTP including gravies, custards, baby foods, cooking sauces and pasta meals.

The business will also continue to can products such as salmon for other companies and is hopeful of manufacturing an Australian made canned tuna range in the future.

Australian Tuna Association chief executive Brian Jeffriess said there was no guarantee the company wouldn’t restructure in the future and PLTP was required by law to notify staff in writing of any change to the company.

Mr. Jeffriess said the change was inevitable due to the high Australian dollar coupled with fewer tuna being farmed.