Smithfield Walks Away from Table: YOUR HELP NEEDED!

[Omaha Steve]

http://ufcwaction.org/campaign/SmithfieldWalksAway?rk=S12n1w91LkXuE

Workers cite harassment and intimidation inside the plant and violations of the law

We Need Your Help! Use the Form at The Bottom of This Message to Contact Smithfield Today



We are disappointed to report that earlier this morning, managers at Smithfield Foods in Tar Heel, North Carolina broke off talks with worker representatives, scuttling negotiations to decide on a process to allow workers to choose whether to bring a union into the plant.

This development was not entirely unexpected. The company's public pledge to negotiate in good faith was betrayed by its actions. According to a statement released by plant workers this morning, company officials had continued to pressure and intimidate workers inside the plant and in the media, even while sitting at the negotiating table. The statement reads, in part:

“Every month hundreds of new hires are shown a video that lies about the company’s role in attacking workers rights during previous NLRB elections. The company illegally asks new hires to sign a letter written by the company calling for another election like the ones that have failed in the past. This is a violation of Federal labor law and we are filing charges. Smithfield even has signs up in the plant that say that union organizers are like roaches.”

Read the workers' statement here.

We are disappointed in the company’s behavior, but we remain as determined as ever to fight this battle until we achieve justice for the workers at Smithfield. We will be relying on your solidarity and support as we move forward, and will continue to keep you up to date on the latest.

Sincerely,

The Justice@Smithfield Team

Please use the form below to send a letter to Smithfield CEO C. Larry Pope and Vice President Dennis Treacy today!


Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Mr. Dennis Treacy

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Re: Breakdown in Talks With Union

Dear ,

I was deeply upset to learn of your decision to walk away from the negotiating table with workers at your Tar Heel Plant this week, although given your company's history it didn't come as a surprise.

Your public statements this summer seemed to indicate that you had turned over a new leaf, allowing your workers a democratic means to choose a union contract, and I had been encouraged.

Unfortunately, your public pledge was betrayed by your actions. As your own workers complained in a statement, company officials continued to pressure and intimidate workers inside the plant and in the media, even while negotiating the details of the process. It is clear to me that you had never intended to negotiate in good faith.

If you are seriously concerned with finding a democratic path in this twelve-year standoff, you will drop your anti-union television ads, remove the union busting signs from the plant, cease your captive audience anti-union meetings with employees, and return to the negotiating table--this time in good faith. I urge you to take the high road in this process.

Sincerely,


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What's At Stake:
On October 15, managers at Smithfield Foods' Tar Heel, North Carolina plant broke off talks with worker representatives, scuttling negotiations to decide on a process to bring a union into the plant. This development was not entirely unexpected. The company's public pledge to negotiate in good faith was betrayed by its actions. According to a statement released by plant workers this morning, company officials had continued to pressure and intimidate workers inside the plant and in the media, even while sitting at the negotiating table. The statement reads, in part: "Every month hundreds of new hires are shown a video that lies about the company's role in attacking workers rights during previous NLRB elections. The company illegally asks new hires to sign a letter written by the company calling for another election like the ones that have failed in the past. This is a violation of Federal labor law and we are filing charges. Smithfield even has signs up in the plant that say that union organizers are like roaches." Read the full statement here: http://www.smithfieldjustice.com/talkscancelled.php

Campaign Expiration Date:
November 14, 2007

[underpants]

1. IMHO only Massey Energy is lower on the scum meter than Smithfield

and most of the scum is a byproduct of Smithfield's course of business.

[angstlessk]

2. I would like to replace that letter thusly:

Wait just a frikking minute here...who do you think eats pork? The rich eat toufu and excrement free spinach. The middle class eats bacon and pork ribs and chops..the poor eat chitlins and pigs feet. So you think you can live in selling brains, intestines and feet?

You will never be able to set up shop in Iraq EVER...no where in the middle east. I do not care if you call it the 'other white meat'..they do not eat pork. So whatcha gonna do? Starve your workers? The natural purchasers of your product???