Smithfield is now discussing giving the workers a holiday on Dr. King’s birthday in the future!!!!!!

[Omaha Steve]

Your support made a difference!

On January 15th, more than 500 African American and Latino workers in Tar Heel, NC stayed off the job or walked out in honor of Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez. These workers took a stand despite the company’s threats to discipline and even fire workers who didn’t work that day. Workers who walked off the job were joined in the parking lot by clergy from around the state of North Carolina who came to support them.



An inspiring and moving community event featuring the Smithfield Campaign was held with an overflow crowd at the First Baptist Church in Fayetteville. In a touching program, religious and civil rights leaders joined Smithfield workers at the Pulpit linking the call for Justice at Smithfield to the legacy of Dr. King and Cesar Chavez. The event was followed by a march led by clergy and Smithfield workers to the unveiling of a new statue of Dr. King.


The workers had submitted a petition signed by thousands of workers in early January demanding a paid holiday for Dr. King’s birthday, but the company refused to even look at the petition or to meet with worker representatives.

Smithfield supporters sent around 6,000 emails and made hundreds of phone calls to the company demanding Smithfield honor Dr. King. As a result of the demands of the workers and the public pressure brought upon the company, Smithfield is now discussing giving the workers a holiday on Dr. King’s birthday in the future, but no clear decisions have been made.

Your support is really making a difference! As Smithfield threatened to punish or even fire workers who participated in the walkout/stayed at home, they now know that support for the workers spans across the country. Through letters, emails and phone calls, the nation is responding to the injustices of Smithfield Packing. We thank you for your continued support and solidarity in the struggle for justice at Smithfield.

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.
Tell-a-friend! http://ufcwaction.org/smithfield_justice/join-forward.tcl?domain=smithfield_justice&r=Q12n1w91DQxc

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[Bluzmann57]

1. Good news!

Power to the people and all that. Just goes to show what can happen when people stick together for a common cause.

[madrchsod]

2. good..god i hate crackers and i won`t buy a smithfield ham.

[salin]

3. collective power can still have an impact

too often this is forgotten. god news.