2 Jul 2010

Starkist confirms layoffs for August

7:35 am on 2 July 2010

The StarKist Company has confirmed that the first round of lay-offs at its cannery factory in American Samoa begins in August.

U.S. based company's spokesperson Mary Sestric says about 151 employees at StarKist Samoa were notified this week and it goes ito effect on August 28, 2010.

Ms Sestric says these layoffs are the first phase of up to 800 positions that StarKist will eliminate over the next several months due to increased global competition.

She says StarKist is eager to work toward a concrete plan that will reinvigorate American Samoa as a hub for the tuna industry.