ACA Co-operative Lays off 110 Workers, Managers

December 2, 2009- A Nova Scotia poultry processor is laying off 96 unionized workers and 14 supervisors and managers at its plant in New Minas.

December 2, 2009- A Nova Scotia
poultry processor is laying off 96 unionized workers and 14 supervisors
and managers at its plant in New Minas.

ACA Co-operative Ltd., which processes chicken and turkey under the Eden Valley brand, blamed financial losses for the decision.

CEO Ian Blenkharn says the layoffs "are painful but necessary" if ACA hopes to make the plant sustainable over the long term.

ACA says the New Minas operation lost $6 million in 2008, prompting the closure on the company's Eastern Protein Foods plant in Kentville and earlier layoffs in New Minas.

Blenkharn says those changes improved the company's financial position but not enough to ensure its future.

ACA Co-operative has been in operation since 1943 and is owned by 63 poultry producers in Nova Scotia.