FoodBanter.com - WORKERS AT THE WORLD’S LARGEST MEATPACKING PLANT CHOOSE UNION REPRESENTATION

WORKERS AT THE WORLD’S LARGEST MEATPACKING PLANT CHOOSE UNION REPRESENTATION

http://www.ufcw.org/press_room/index...sReleaseID=415

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2008
CONTACT:

WORKERS AT THE WORLD’S LARGEST MEATPACKING PLANT CHOOSE UNION
REPRESENTATION

Tar Heel, N.C. – Workers at Smithfield Packing in Tar Heel, North
Carolina, chose union representation with the United Food and
Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW). Workers voted 2041 to
1879 for a voice on the job.

“When workers have a fair process, they choose a voice on the job,”
said UFCW Director of Organizing Pat O’Neill. “This is a great victory
for the Tar Heel workers. I know they are looking forward to sitting
down at the bargaining table with Smithfield to negotiate a contract.
The UFCW has constructive union contracts with Smithfield plants
around the country. Those union contracts benefit workers, the company
and the community. We believe the workers here in Tar Heel can achieve
a similar agreement.”

Ronnie Ann Simmons, a veteran of 13 years at the plant said, “We are
thrilled. This moment has been a long time coming. We stuck together,
and now we have a say on the job.”

Workers at 26 Smithfield-owned facilities around the country already
have UFCW representation.

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The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW)
represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and
meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects
the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by
fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security,
safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men
and women and their families can realize the American Dream.