Edwards Enters Union Battle

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http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/news.apx.-content-articles-NCN-2007-06-21-0016.html


TAR HILL, N.C. -- John Edwards met with Smithfield Foods workers for a half hour today, and walked into one of the nation's longest running labor disputes alongside Keith Ludlum.

Ludlum was hired by Smithfield foods in 1993, fired for union activities the next year, before a court ordered him re-instated last year.

"We are going to have a union there, and with Senator Edwards' help, and others, we can do it," said Ludlum.

Lois Burns also met with Edwards.

"I want a union as much as the rest of them do. So they can have a nice place to work, so we can live better," said Burns, who also works at the plant.

The meeting produced a letter from Edwards to Smithfield's president, asking the firm to remain neutral in a union vote.