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Food Processing Workers in Pennsylvania Ratify a New Contract

About 100 members of UFCW Local 152 who work at the Berks Foods facility in Reading, Pa., ratified a new contract on Dec. 7.  These members work in production, manufacturing Berks Foods products that include hotdogs, deli meats, hams, and more.

The three-year contract includes annual wage increases plus bracket increases, an annual longevity bonus, and maintains affordable health and welfare benefits. The negotiating committee successfully bargained for lower service lengths needed to accrue vacation days, guaranteeing more time off for members with fewer years of service. Furthermore, all members are now able to split at least one vacation week into single days, providing members with a better work-life balance.

Finally, the new contract secures a bonus longevity personal day for members with more than 10 years of service, as well as longer funeral leave.

UFCW Celebrates Black History Month

The month of February is Black History Month–a time to remember and celebrate the rich history of African Americans, the achievements of the civil rights movement, and the work of new social justice leaders.

Black History Month dates to 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans dedicated the second week in February as “Negro History Week” to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976, the celebration was officially recognized and expanded by President Gerald Ford and every U.S. president since then has celebrated Black History Month during the month of February.

During Black History Month, the UFCW will pay tribute to African American labor leaders who fought for fair wages, dignity in the workplace, and the freedom to organize in spite of considerable barriers. We will also highlight new leaders who continue to fight for social and economic justice. The International’s Black History Month program will take place on Thursday, Feb. 27, and will revolve around the theme “Empowering Black Labor and Celebrating Black Excellence.”

Please visit our website and social media platforms throughout February to learn about key labor leaders and find the latest information about additional events and programming for the month. If your local has a member activist you would like to profile during Black History Month, please contact Julie Anderson at janderson@ufcw.org.