Prior to the layoff, the workforce of 2,300 processed more than 5,000 head of cattle a day at one of the largest meatpacking plants in the United States.

Swift, the nation’s third-largest beef and pork producer, had reported a $148.5 million, or 6 percent, increase in net sales for a total of $2.63 billion in the quarter that ended August 29. In October, Swift announced changes in production and notified the workforce there would be massive layoffs.

The estimated economic effects of the layoffs in the Greeley area will exceed $35 million, including direct wages lost and the loss of economic activity stemming from those wages, according to press reports.

Manuel Sánchez, who has worked for six years in Swift’s fabrication department and was not laid off, told the Militant that the laid-off workers need financial aid and help with finding new jobs. He said those workers left in the plant confront more difficult work conditions as workers are reassigned to new and unfamiliar jobs and are expected to work up to speed immediately or face threats of being terminated. Others are experiencing speedup on the job, as more operations are combined to make up for a smaller workforce.

On November 20 workers approved a new five-year contract with the company that included a provision giving the union, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7, a measure of control over the line speed. The union said the company routinely increases the line speed to unsafe levels whenever a breakdown slows production. According to the new contract, a union representative will have to open the lock to enable the company to increase line speed. Asked about the impact of this new contract provision on the company’s speedup aims, Sánchez said, “We will have to see how it works out.”

A majority of the workers at Swift are foreign born. Many are originally from Mexico as well as other countries. Some laid-off workers told the Militant that they are planning to return to Mexico given the scarcity of jobs in the Greeley area. Others said they will head to cities in the Midwest, where the meatpacking industry is concentrated.

“Swift has a funny way of saying ‘Happy Holidays’ to its workers,” said Dave Minshall, UFCW Local 7 spokesman, questioning the timing of the layoffs.

The company and capitalist politicians said the layoffs were necessary to help Swift withstand competition. “This is an unfortunate incident, but Swift is trying to survive in a very competitive business,” said State Sen. David Owen of Greeley. He said the company has been handicapped by restrictions imposed on the export of beef due to the mad-cow scare.

After the layoffs, Swift announced it would contribute a paltry $25,000 to a United Way Agency emergency assistance fund for laid-off workers.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home