| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 8, 2000 |
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Cagle-Keystone Workers Stand Up for a Voice on the Job Cagle-Keystone workers in Albany, Kentucky voted "Union Yes!" today, after 18 months of organizing and struggling for a voice on the job. Workers voted overwhelmingly for representation with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 227, securing bargaining rights for 1,500 poultry workers. "The Cagle-Keystone workers stood up for a better future?one with safer working conditions, better wages and benefits and respect and dignity on the job. Today, they won that struggle," said Marv Russow, President of UFCW Local 227. The workers had sought an election last year but after union leaders were fired and other workers were threatened and harassed, blocking charges were filed with the National Labor Relations Board. The hearing on those charges has been postponed pending the company and union attempting to resolve the issue. Most of the discharged workers have been offered reinstatement to positions at the plant. Issues for the workers include wages, health insurance, treatment by supervisors, line speeds, and safety. President Marv Russow said that the workers deserve the credit for standing up to management's onslaught and persevering through the difficult times. "The company has been more responsible this year saying that they would negotiate a contract if that was the wish of the workers. The workers have spoken and we look forward to bargaining a fair contract." The campaign for justice at Cagle-Keystone has attracted support from across the state and the country. Kentucky elected officials have criticized the company for taking millions in federal and state tax dollars while preventing workers from exercising their legal right to join a union. In June, 2000, the National Labor Relations Board charged the company with more than 150 violations of federal law. Community, labor and religious leaders, including Kentucky Jobs with Justice, have stood behind the Cagle-Keystone workers throughout their 18-month-long effort to get a voice at work. "Community support made a tremendous difference in this campaign. Workers were constantly encouraged by the support and involvement from people across the country," said Russow. The election win today is the latest organizing win in the UFCW's Poultry Justice Organizing Campaign?a program dedicated to improving wages, benefits and working conditions for poultry workers across the country. The 1.4 million member UFCW is the largest union of poultry workers in North America, representing 60,000 workers in the poultry industry. Over 900,000 UFCW members work as clerks and meatcutters in neighborhood supermarkets?a primary outlet for poultry products. The UFCW was instrumental in bringing about an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ruling on the right of poultry workers to use the bathroom. |
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