Local fishermen block mouth of Bayou to protest BP hiring, payment practices

[Barrett808]

Source: Press-Register

BAYOU LA BATRE, Ala. -- Before dawn today, more than half a dozen small boats formed a line near the mouth of the bayou, effectively blocking access to the Mississippi Sound to protest what some local fishermen called unfair hiring and payment practices by BP PLC.

A handmade sign that read "Commercial 1st We need work now" hung from one of the vessels idling in the waterway. A smaller gray boat was spray-painted with bright orange letters "44 days still pumping BP lied."

At least two boats were blocked from passing through the mouth of the Bayou before police and other authorities asked the men to end the blockade or face arrest.

At issue, according to those there, is that recreational boat owners are being hired before those who make their livelihoods solely from fishing local waters.

Read more: http://blog.al.com/live/2010/06/local_fishermen_block_mouth_of.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. hmmm Sounds like they are hiring those that can afford to do their boating anywhere

rather than the local working class who are truly being devastated.
\
The really sad thing about this is that local folks are now left to fight over jobs with BP to clean up the mess that has destroyed their own lives.

"recreational boat owners are being hired before those who make their livelihoods solely from fishing local waters"