| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 17, 2000 |
|
|
ConAgra Launches Last Minute Terror Campaign Against Workers ConAgra stepped up it's efforts this week to intimidate and terrorize workers seeking union representation at the South Omaha plant. Corporate executives including General Manager Stan Wells made unprecedented continuous statements to workers over the loud speakers in the plant on Wednesday intimidating workers with last minute scare tactics. Workers will vote on Friday, November 17, 2000 for representation by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 271 in one of the first union elections in Omaha's meatpacking industry in recent history. Their struggle for a voice on the job rises from the workers' frustration with rampant safety problems, widespread injuries and disrespectful treatment of Latino workers by management. ConAgra has resisted the workers' efforts at every step and forced workers to withstand a divisive and frightening anti-union campaign in the workplace. The company refused to respect the workers' request for recognition, despite appeals from religious leaders and the community. ConAgra also filed numerous legal appeals to the National Labor Relations Board in an effort to delay the election process and divide the workforce. Workers report that the company's last minute efforts have focused on misleading promises of pay increases or cuts, refusals to ever negotiate with the union and other threats of reduction of benefits. In a letter to workers, the company pleaded with them to vote no. The UFCW is taking statements from workers and investigating possible violations of federal labor law by the company's recent anti-worker assault. "ConAgra refuses to see that we want a union because we want to take action and make our plant a better place to work. No matter what kind of threats, intimidation and empty promises ConAgra makes, we are united in our goal of getting a voice on the job," said Julio Gonzalez, a ConAgra worker and lead organizer in the UFCW/OTOC campaign. "Tomorrow, we are going to vote to have a better future with ConAgra." ConAgra workers have stood up against ConAgra's anti-union campaign because they had the strong backing of the community. People of faith, organized through Omaha Together/One Community (OTOC) have maintained a solid network of support and information for meatpacking workers in Omaha, particularly for Latino workers. At a rally today outside the ConAgra plant, OTOC Chair Rev. Mark Darby reminded workers that, "the community stands behind you. When you vote tomorrow, vote for a better future and a safer workplace. You aren't just fighting to improve your workplace, but to improve your lives and therefore, improve our entire community. We support you." The fight for better working conditions at ConAgra has inspired other meatpacking workers in Omaha to join them and organize their workplaces. The 200 Armour-Swift-Eckrich employees around the corner from this plant filed a petition for a union election on Tuesday, November 14, 2000. The UFCW represents 1.4 million members, including 25,000 ConAgra employees in the U.S. and Canada. |
|
 |
 |
