| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 1998 |
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UNION DEMANDS IMMEDIATE NEGOTIATIONS TO PROTECT BEEF AMERICA WORKERS The union representing workers at the Beef America plant in Norfolk, Nebraska, is seeking immediate negotiations with company management following the announcement that operations at the facility would be permanently suspended. United Food and Commercial Workers Union Vice President and Local 271 Trustee Bill Danio requested the meeting to ensure that the workers' legal rights would be protected, and to negotiate on all issues related to the closing of the plant. "The union is taking immediate action. We will do everything possible to save jobs, to protect the workers, and to provide for the future economic security of both the workers and the community," said Danio. The union is urging workers to file unemployment claims and to apply for food stamps. Wages and conditions at the facility have long been substandard. To maintain even the below average wages and working conditions, the workers were forced into a labor dispute. Danio expressed concern that the company may have created the dispute in an effort to provide cover for the plant closing. The beefpacking industry has a history of using plant closings as a way to bust unions and to slash wages. In a letter to the company president, Robert Norton, the union presented an extensive request for information on all matters relating to the effects of the decision to close the plant. The union is also seeking information on possible buyers for the Norfolk facility. "Beef America has not been an efficient operator. It has not had long-term contracts to supply the plant, and its low wage rates have caused high turnover in the workforce. Management is trying to shift the blame to the employees, but the workers have done everything they could to make the company profitable," said Danio. Beef America has an obligation to provide an economic package including substantial severance pay and an extension of benefits to assist the workers in their transition to new jobs, according to the union. Danio said, "We will negotiate the best possible package for the workers, and we will do everything necessary to make Beef America do the right thing for the workers. We will not let the company just walk away without providing for the future well-being of the workforce." |
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