West Michigan Workers Elect Union Representation

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yesterday, workers at the JBS slaughterhouse and production facility, located just south of the city of Plainwell, voted for representation with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union in an effort to improve working conditions at the plant. The vote ends the workers' two-and-a-half-month union organizing campaign during which they received assistance from UFCW Michigan Statewide Community Development.

"There has been tremendous support for the union among the JBS workers," John Cakmakci, UFCW 951 Secretary/Treasurer, said.  "They view the union as their best option to improve their working conditions and bring a sense of fairness to the workplace."

Among the workers' complaints were unjust terminations, unsafe working conditions and an unfair compensation system where new employees earn more than workers with upwards of 15 years of seniority.

"Our efforts will now turn to negotiating a first contract with JBS that addresses the workers' concerns," Cakmakci said. "We are confident the union and the company can work together to achieve an agreement that is fair and balanced, and are looking forward to establishing a productive, long-term relationship with JBS."

By electing representation, the approximately 1,000 workers at the West Michigan JBS plant will join with 28,000 other JBS workers and 250,000 meatpacking and poultry workers across the country who already enjoy the benefits of UFCW union representation.

UFCW Statewide Community Development is a joint project of UFCW Locals 951 and 876 devoted to community activism, including union organizing. Approximately 48,000 workers belong to the UFCW in Michigan, working for a variety of retailers including Meijer, Kroger, and Rite Aid, along with numerous other companies in a variety of industries including food processing, automotive supply, and health care.

SOURCE UFCW 951