Over 100 workers at Hearthside Food Solutions in Byhalia, Miss., joined UFCW Local 1529 for a better life on May 20. Hearthside Food Solutions is one of the food industry’s largest contract manufacturers and operates the largest private bakery in the country. The new members of UFCW Local 1529 co-pack cereal and crackers for a Kellogg’s facility in Memphis, Tenn., that is also unionized.
The workers joined our union family because they were familiar with the benefits of joining UFCW Local 1529 and were having workplace issues, including health and safety concerns at the plant, unfair treatment, and unequal wages due to the company employing more temporary workers than full-time workers.
“It was challenging to get to this point with all that we’re dealing with, but with my staff and the Region’s help, we got it done!,” said UFCW Local 1529 President Leon Sheppard. “It’s a great group of members, with possibly more to come.”