Posts Categorized: Meat Packing

On Oct. 11, members of UFCW Locals 663, 1155, 1473 and 1996 who work for Hormel Foods in Minnesota, Georgia, Wisconsin and Iowa ratified a new contract that includes a history-making wage increase.

“Our members who work at Hormel Foods locations in Minnesota, Georgia, Wisconsin and Iowa voted today to ratify a contract that includes the largest wage increase in the company’s history,” said UFCW International President Marc Perrone in a statement. “In addition to gaining hourly wage increases of $3 to $6 an hour, the new contract nearly doubles bereavement leave, protects health care coverage, and increases both pension and 401(k) benefits.”

“This critical victory could not have happened without the hard work and solidarity of our members across four Local Unions,” Perrone added. “Today proves that when workers stand together and make their voices heard, they win. While we celebrate this historic and much-deserved victory, the work will continue. We will dedicate ourselves to enforcing this contract and ensuring that Hormel lives up to their commitments over the next four years.”

Over 100 workers at the Packer Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI) facility in Waco, Texas, joined UFCW Local 540 on July 12. The workers sanitize machinery at the Pilgrim’s Pride plant in Waco, which is represented by UFCW Local 540.

These workers joined our union family because they wanted dignity, respect, and a voice in the workplace, as well as job security. They also wanted the ability to negotiate better wages, benefits, and working conditions as their unionized colleagues do who process poultry at the plant. This organizing win is part of an agreement the UFCW has with PSSI to offer union representation at PSSI locations across the country.

“The reason we want union representation is to be treated the same way as Pilgrim’s employees,” said PSSI employee Joe Byrd. “We should be heard and treated with respect, too. Now with the union backing us, we will make changes for the better.”

“We congratulate the PSSI workers on their victory and desire to be represented by UFCW Local 540,” said UFCW Local 540 President Felipe Mendez. “This is solidarity at work, with the International’s Food Processing, Packing, and Manufacturing Division and local unions working together to improve the lives of workers. Now PSSI employees will bargain to secure better wages, benefits and working conditions as their union brothers and sisters are currently enjoying with a union contract at Pilgrim’s Pride.”