| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 16, 2000 |
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PICKET LINES UP AT WILD TURKEY DISTILLERY The workers at the Wild Turkey distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky have sent the company a strong message: no justice, no work. Picket lines went up at 12:01 a.m. today when the 118 United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 24D members began the first work action in the company's history. "Today, Wild Turkey employees made their voices heard about the future of this company, holding the company accountable for its attempt to lower workers' living standards and jeopardize decent, affordable family benefits," said William Cook, President of UFCW Local 24D. Fighting to protect employer-provided health insurance, workers soundly rejected the company's last offer that attempted to saddle workers with part of the cost of health insurance coverage. Workers also rejected attempts to increase the number of temporary workers in the plant, a move that would seriously weaken job security for these long-term, dedicated workers. The workers' battle at Wild Turkey is the latest symbol of our nationwide health care crisis. As health care costs increase in the U.S., employers like Wild Turkey are doing everything they can to shirk their responsibility to hard-working employees. Wild Turkey is attempting to pass on its health care costs onto the shoulders of dedicated working families. These 118 Wild Turkey workers are holding the line and asking working families around the country to support them in their struggle. Their message is simple: If you work hard, you should have decent employer-paid health care coverage. It's the right thing to do. Not only is the company attempting to saddle workers with added health care costs, but is also jeopardizing job security by squeezing more and more temporary employees into the regular workforce. The company's last proposal increased the number and duration of employment of temporary workers during the height of the busy season. -30- |
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