On April 12, over 340 members of UFCW Local 1473 who work at the Jones Dairy Farm meatpacking plant in Fort Atkinson, Wis., ratified a new contract. These workers produce all-natural breakfast meats, including pork sausage, dry-aged bacon, Canadian bacon, ham, liver sausage and scrapple. The Jones Dairy Farm plant in Fort Atkinson was formerly represented by UFCW Local 538, which merged with UFCW Local 1473 in 2025.
The four-year contract includes the following provisions:
- Secured $4.10 over the four years of the agreement ($1.10/$1/$1/$1), with no increase to the co-share percentage over the term of the contract.
- Increased short-term disability and sick leave benefits.
- Maintained retiree insurance.
- Increased retirement benefits.
- Enhanced workplace safety protections.
“Local 538, which was a stand-alone local that represented Jones Dairy Farm, merged in April of 2025 with Local 1473, and this bargaining committee came to the table with a set of objectives and didn’t back down on any item our members said we had to obtain,” said UFCW Local 1473 President Jake Bailey. “Service Director Jonathon Kracht did an amazing job as the lead negotiator, steering us to a historic contract. Secretary-Treasurer Marie Werth and I were proud to sit at the table and help secure these amazing benefits for our Jones Dairy Farm members.”
“As this was my first bargaining experience, I really didn’t know what to expect, but I quickly learned the strength of union solidarity and preparation,” said Valerie Pundsack, who works at Jones Dairy Farm and served on the bargaining committee. “President Jake Bailey and Secretary-Treasurer Marie Werth provided us with information and guidance that helped us stand strong and hold firm on key issues such as our insurance. I truly believe that being part of a larger union, UFCW Local 1473, gave us the support, experience, and resources needed to secure an agreement that delivers real benefits to all of our members at Jones Dairy Farm. I’m proud of our committee and all that we accomplished!”