At the end of August, a number of workers who have seniority dating back before the 1998-99 strike drafted and distributed an appeal for unity between workers who went through that walkout and those hired later, who today constitute two-thirds of the workforce. The leaflet was translated into Mandarin, enabling the many workers who come from China to read it. The workforce, historically Portuguese in its majority, now includes many workers from Asia, Africa, eastern Europe, and other parts of the world.

In early October workers learned that the only item of substance raised by the company during the initial contract negotiations was a demand to limit their use of washrooms to 20 minutes per week outside of the two 15-minute paid breaks per day. The next day, the vast majority of the more than 500 workers in all departments boycotted a lunchtime “employee appreciation” free barbeque organized by the bosses.

At an October 16 union meeting with a large turnout of the membership, 99 percent voted to give the negotiating committee a strike mandate.

On October 18, workers in the cutting room—the largest department in the plant—went home after the 9.5 hours of mandatory work. Normally shifts in the cutting room are scheduled at 10 or more hours. Up to now most workers have been working those hours.

In response to this show of unity the bosses reduced the shift schedules in both the cutting and boning rooms to 9.5 hours.

On October 26, the union’s negotiating committee announced it had reached a tentative agreement with management. A union meeting to vote on the proposal was called for October 28.

John Steele is a member of UFCW Local 175 and works in the boning room at Quality Meat Packers.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home