TAR HEEL, N.C., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International union has rejected a plan for a new union election at Smithfield's pork processing plant in Tar Heel, NC.
"It's become evident that the UFCW has absolutely no interest in letting the employees at Tar Heel vote on the issue of union representation," said Joe Luter IV, president and chief operating officer of Smithfield Packing Company. "We have made extraordinary efforts to give the union the opportunity to have a fair election process at Smithfield. In our proposal, we have agreed to limit our campaign activities, offered to provide the union leaders access to our messages before we share them with the employees, and given the UFCW unprecedented opportunities to communicate directly with our employees."
Smithfield presented a written proposal to Patrick O'Neil, an executive vice president with the union, on September 23, 2007. The proposal included significant compromises from Smithfield that far exceed the requirements of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), including:
* All employees would be informed of the election process at a joint
meeting held by Smithfield and the UFCW. Smithfield would tell
employees they are free to meet with union representatives and would
agree to bargain in good faith with the UFCW if the employees vote
for union representation.
* Smithfield would limit its campaign activities to a series of plant
messages with employees. The UFCW would be allowed to monitor those
messages and would be given equal time to address Tar Heel employees.
* All campaign messages would be approved for truthfulness by a third-
party. Both sides would agree to avoid personal attacks.
* Smithfield would provide the UFCW with an accurate list of current
employees, including their address and phone number.
* Campaign votes would be counted by a third-party. Smithfield and
union representatives would monitor the vote counting process.
* Both sides would agree to cease negative media campaigns.
A complete copy of the Smithfield proposal is available online at http://www.smithfieldfacts.com/.
"Frankly, I'm stunned that anyone looking at our proposal could say that is not fair. The union's refusal to seriously consider our proposal signals to us that they have no intention of ever holding a union election at Tar Heel," Luter said. "It's a shame that the UFCW won't agree to let the employees make an informed choice. They deserve to have their voices heard."
Smithfield has been in talks with the union for the past six weeks as the two sides sought to reach a compromise that would bring an end to the decade-long battle to unionize the Tar Heel plant. The UFCW has long favored a card check process for determining if Tar Heel employees want union representation.
NLRB Criticizes Card Check Process
In a ruling issued on October 2, 2007, the NLRB criticized the card check process preferred by many unions, calling it "a far less reliable indicator of employee choice than an election."
The NLRB decision cites several flaws with the card check process:
* "Card checks are less reliable because they lack secrecy and
procedural safeguards."
* "Union card-solicitation campaigns have been accompanied by
misinformation."
* "There is good reason to question whether card signings ...
accurately reflect employees' true choice concerning union
representation."
* "Workers sometime sign union authorization cards not because they
intend to vote for the union in the election but to avoid offending
the person who asks them ... or to simply get the person off their
back."
Even though Smithfield shares many of the NLRB's concerns about the card check process, the company proposed a modified card check process to further demonstrate its commitment to resolve the union issues at Tar Heel. Under terms of the proposal, Smithfield would agree for an objective third- party to collect and verify cards from Tar Heel employees for a pre-determined amount of time. This proposal was also rejected by the union.
After the UFCW rejected Smithfield's offer, the company withdrew its election proposal and said it would consider other alternatives to prevent the union from continuing a negative campaign designed to harm the company and its employees.
About Smithfield Packing Co.
Smithfield Packing Co. is America's leading pork producer. It produces a variety of pork products -- country hams, hot dogs, bacon, deli meat, fresh meat, barbeque, sausage and more -- for customers around the world. It is a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, a leading international food company and one of "America's Most Admired Companies," as ranked by FORTUNE magazine. To learn more, visit http://www.smithfieldfacts.com/.
Smithfield Packing Co.
