Over 1,200 UFCW Local 440 members who work at the Smithfield Foods plant in Denison, Iowa, recently ratified a strong, new contract that raises wages and protects benefits.
The four-year agreement includes a wage base and starting rate of $18.10, which makes Smithfield a leader in terms of pay in the pork slaughter industry. The agreement also maintains quality health care benefits for these workers and improves access to their union representatives at the plant.
“This is the best contract we’ve had so far for our members at Smithfield, and we are proud that it raises standards in the pork slaughter industry,” said UFCW Local 440 President Leo Kanne. “We will continue to build on this contract and fight to improve the lives of our members so that they can support their families and protect our food supply.”
“This contract includes the wages and benefits our members at Smithfield have earned and deserve as they work to produce quality food products for families during a national health crisis,” said International Vice President and Food Processing, Packing and Manufacturing Division Director Mark Lauritsen. “The UFCW will continue to push other meatpacking and food processing employers to follow the lead of Smithfield with the goal of raising standards for all the hard-working men and women in this industry.”
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