Sanitization staff at Butterball in Raeford, N.C., joined UFCW Local 1208 earlier this summer. The 58 new members are responsible for cleaning and preparing the poultry plant for its daily production of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook turkey products.
The key issues that led workers to want union representation included concerns about safety, frustration with favoritism, and a desire for fair pay. Workers told organizers they were tired of seniority not factoring into decisions about job opportunities.
Strong cohesion and leadership among workers were key factors in the win, as was a well-thought-out plan to prepare employees to refute anti-union rhetoric from the employer. Organizers were also able to show how collective action could help solve many of the workplace’s problems.
These workers join the approximately 500 UFCW Local 1208 members who already work in the plant’s production units.
Organizers hope to begin negotiating a contract in the coming weeks.