| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 27, 2001 |
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Perdue Chicken Catchers Mandate: "Union Yes!" In a 32-25 vote on March 23, 2001, Perdue chicken catchers in Accomac, VA voted to have a voice on the job with the United Food & Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 27. The catcher's election came after a long struggle for better wages, benefits and working conditions against severe employer intimidation. The National Labor Relations Board ordered this re-run election after finding Perdue guilty of tampering with the first vote held in July 2000, where the employees lost by a slim four (4) vote margin. The NLRB found that Perdue had used bribes and threats to prevent workers from voting for the Union. A Federal Law, the National Labor Relations Act, strictly prohibits these actions by Employers and provides the legal right for workers to organize free, from Employer interference. Buddy Mays, President of the 26,000 member local union, hailed the catchers election as a "another victory for Delmarva poultry workers." "Last year Perdue catchers at the Georgetown & Salisbury plants voted for our union. Last month, 950 Mountaire members voted to keep our union, and now the Accomac catchers want an effective voice by joining our union too," said Mays. UFCW Local 27 represents approximately 3,000 chicken plant workers in Delmarva at Perdue in Showell, MD; Tyson in Berlin, MD; Allens in Hurlock, MD & Harbeson, DE; and Mountaire in Selbyville, DE. "For too long, poultry potentates like Perdue have taken advantage of their employees, making millions on the backs of hard-working people," said Willie Baker, VP & Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of the UFCW International Union. "Now, the people have begun to stand up for their rights," he continued. In a separate case, Federal Judge William Nickerson ordered Perdue to pay back wages to the catchers last year when he found the company guilty of wilfully violating the wage and hours by not paying overtime. In an editorial response last month to the Salisbury, MD Daily Times, Jim Perdue's public relations representative stated that the company "is committed to honoring the decision of our associates." "The catchers have spoken a loud "Union Yes,' said Mays, 'and we expect Perdue to abide by their mandate and bargain in good faith." The UFCW International Union represents 1.4 million members in the US, Canada & Puerto Rico, including 60,000 working in the poultry industry. |
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