June, 2010

Twelve hundred Local 770 members have voted to accept a new contract with the Hormel-owned Farmer John plant in Los Angeles, California. The new six-year deal includes across-the-board raises of $2.10 per hour over the period of the contract.

The plant, best known in the L.A. area as the producer of the famed “Dodger Dog” hot dog, also slaughters pork and produces hams and bacon.

In addition, the health care premiums paid by workers will remain static for the length of the contract, the most senior employees will get additional vacation, and the amount of time workers spend in progression to reach the top rate has been cut by two-thirds.

“This was a long and hard fight that proved when locals across our state and across our country coordinate, we can win,” said John Grant, Director of the Packinghouse Division at Local 770. “Together, our workers stood up for respect and dignity and finally they can say, ‘¡La Union Está Presente!’”

Also, for the first time ever, the contract includes guaranteed union access to the plant, dues check off, and access to new employee orientations – important steps to guarantee a strong union at Farmer John for years to come.