| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 29, 2001 |
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Nationwide Support Boosts Rochelle Foods Packinghouse Strike The 900 striking workers at Rochelle Foods in Rochelle, Illinois will get a a surprise boost this Friday. Workers strike benefit will increase this week from $60 to $100, thanks to the generous support from numerous local unions of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) and the financial strength of UFCW Local 1540. At the end of the second week of the strike at Rochelle Foods, workers are standing strong. Picket lines are up and workers are committed to their fight for fair wages that can support a family. "Rochelle workers are sacrificing immediate income in order to build a better future, one with living wages and good working conditions. UFCW members across the country understand, your fight is our fight. The incredible financial support for this strike from other UFCW local unions speaks volumes to the workers and the company that packinghouse workers are sticking together for fair wages," said Kevin Williamson, UFCW International Vice President and Regional Director. To help ease the sacrifice made by the striking Rochelle Foods workers, UFCW Local 1540 is establishing a hardship fund and food bank to assist workers in need. The hardship fund will assist workers with critical bills or other life-sustaining expenses during the strike. Workers and their families are also invited to a picnic sponsored by UFCW Local 1540 this Sunday, April 1, 2001 at 2:30 p.m. at the VFW Park in Rochelle, Illinois. Workers were forced on strike after a company demand that workers accept a real wage cut over the term of a proposed four year contract. The company's demands would have left workers with about 2 percent less family purchasing power than they have now. Current wages at Rochelle Foods are already about one to two dollars an hour less than at other pork processing facilities. UFCW Local 1540 has received more than $100,000 in strike support funds from more than 26 UFCW local unions across the country. Additional strike support funds continue to arrive daily. |
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