Tyson workers reject contract proposal (98% 'No' vote resonates )

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.chronicletimes.com/story/1497102.html

Wednesday, January 28, 2009
By Mike Leckband , Staff Writer

Union's 98% 'No' vote resonates

On Wednesday Jan. 21,2009, members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 179 in Cherokee voted on a contract proposal offered by Tyson Deli Inc. The rank and file members voted the proposal down with a 98 percent "no" vote.

According to UFCW Local 179 President Jim Brummond, Tyson had proposed a one-year contract with a wage freeze along with a 2 percent signing bonus to be paid up front.

"It's been since 2003 since we had seen our last increase in wages," said Brummond.


Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers voted on a contract proposal from Tyson Deli Inc. on Jan. 21 at the UFCW Union Hall. The offer from Tyson was voted down by 98 percent of the union members. Photo by Mike Leckband


"In 2004 we received a five-year wage freeze, a frozen pension, plus the loss in severance pay. Also, since the last contract, new hires at the plant can only reach a top base pay of $11 per hour, whereas people hired prior to the last contract have a top base pay of $12.15 per hour. We also had to pay for our own healthcare since the last contract and we only received a 2 percent yearly bonus and that doesn't even pay for the health insurance premiums," said Brummond

"That last contract took away a lot of purchasing power from our members to support our local businesses." Brummond also added "We currently have 386 members. In 2004 there were 611 members in the union. Since 2004, Tyson has eliminated 200 hourly workers. That's over a $5 million loss in the local economy per year."

Brummond also stated this example: "Former Tyson CEO Richard Bond was paid a compensation of $17.8 million that would have been more than enough money for a $1 an hour increase for all our workers to last for more the 20 years. That is money being taking out of the community."

FULL story at link.

[Ken Burch]

1. Let's all tell Big Chicken to Pluck Off! Support the Tyson Workers!

n/t.

[Hello_Kitty]

2. I'm having a real hard time believing that chicken sales are down.

I don't see any justification for a wage freeze for Tyson workers.