GENE BRUSKIN 202 297 0198
ELIZABETH MANLEY 919 491 2262
********************************************************************************
NC Peace & Justice ALERT 11/16/2006
Workers Walk Out at Smithfield Foods Plant in Tarheel, NC
Join "Justice at Smithfield" Campaign: Dec. 2 Events Across NC
********************************************************************************
Reports have just come in that 500 immigrant workers have walked out of the
Smithfield Foods plant, the world's largest pork processing plant, in
Tarheel, NC, today in protest of massive firings that have taken place in
the last few days. The company has been using Social Security "no match"
letters as a reason to fire a growing number of workers, some of whom have
work permits but problems with their SS numbers.
We urge people across the state to demonstrate solidarity with the
courageous Smithfield workers. First, educate yourself about their
struggle. Come join them on the picket lines if you can, or call their
offices to express your concerns. Now is the time to plan to join the
Justice at Smithfield campaign on DECEMBER 2, 2006. Supporters will gather
at ten Harris Teeter grocery stores in different cities to demand that
Harris Teeter stop carrying Smithfield pork products that are packaged with
the abuse of NC workers at the world's largest pork plant in Tar Heel, NC.
Read below for background info and next steps.
Smithfield Packing Co Inc
15855 Nc Highway 87 W, Tar Heel, NC (910) 862-7675 or (910) 872-0032
A History of the Struggle in Tar Heel, NC
http://www.ufcw.org/working_america/case_against_smithfield/case_against_smthfld.cfmWhen Smithfield Foods opened its million square foot facility in Tar Heel,
N.C., in 1992, it became the largest pork processing plant in the world.
Today the plant employs over 5,000 workers and slaughters up to 34,000 hogs
a day. Wages currently start at $8.10 per hour. Workers are not eligible for
health insurance for at least 6 months, and then only at a high cost. The
work is dangerous and fast. Workers face intimidation from both management
and the company's private police force when they attempt to band together to
defend their rights on the job.
While unionized in most locations outside of North Carolina, in this
southern state Smithfield has fought vigorously to prevent its employees
from forming a union. Elections to unionize the plant were held in 1994 and
in 1997; although the elections were initially lost, the results were
overturned in a landmark decision by a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
judge, who charged Smithfield with multiple violations of federal labor law,
violations that destroyed the conditions for a free and fair election.
In December 2004, the NLRB upheld the order for a new union election at the
plant and the findings that the company has engaged in unfair labor
practices against employees. But Smithfield continues to deny justice as it
drags out the appeals process through the courts.
Smithfield is About Pigs
http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/rs/profile.cfm?id=289When consumers think Smithfield, they should think pigs, because that's what
the company is about. Smithfield pumps pork products onto the market at
volumes that weigh heavily on people and the environment. Massive hog farms
mean tons of waste and Smithfield has been fined as much as $12.6 million
for violating Clean Water Act provisions by improperly dumping waste in
waterways. On the human side of operations, meat packers endure poor working
conditions and poorer treatment than employees in most other industries.
Companies such as Smithfield require workers to perform strenuous tasks in
low temperatures, causing bodily harm that often goes undiagnosed or
untreated. Like most other corporations, Smithfield has a stated commitment
to the environment and its employees, but the company's actions hardly
reflect these admirable principles.
Unionization
A diverse coalition of groups including DC Jobs with Justice, Campaign for
Labor Rights, and United Food and Commercial Workers, highlighted the
dangerous working conditions in the world's largest pork processing facility
in Tar Heel, North Carolina. Working conditions have not improved since the
2002 lawsuit that found the company guilty of violating human rights in Tar
Heel, NC.
In June 2002 a supervisor for Smithfield Food admitted before a Senate
Committee that in 1997 she fired Smithfield employees who were trying to
organize a union. In her testimony before the Senate Health, Education,
Labor & Pensions Committee Sherri Buffkin told the panel, "Smithfield Foods
ordered me to fire employees who supported the union, telling me it was
either my job or theirs." Buffkin also claimed that the company promoted
racial tension to separate workers, testifying that, "Smithfield keeps Black
and Latino employees virtually separated in the plant with the Black workers
on the kill floor and the Latinos in the cut and conversion departments. The
word was that black workers were going to be replaced with Latino workers
because blacks were more favorable toward unions." The Employees were
awarded $755,000 in punitive damages in March 2002.
-- PR Newswire, 07/21/2002
Smithfield Foods
200 Commerce St.
Smithfield, VA 23430 USA
Phone: 757-365-3000
Web:
www.smithfieldfoods.comBrands: Armour, Butterball, Eckrich, Esskay, Gwaltney, Hamilton's, John
Morrell, Lean Generation, Longmont, Lunch Makers, Luter's, Margherita,
Patrick Cudahy, Smithfield, Valleydale
NC STATEWIDE DAY OF ACTION - SIGN UP
http://www.smithfieldjustice.comON DECEMBER 2, 2006 supporters from across North Carolina will gather at ten
Harris Teeter grocery stores in different cities to demand that Harris
Teeter stop carrying Smithfield pork products that are packaged with the
abuse of NC workers at the world's largest pork plant in Tar Heel, NC.
Smithfield has mistreated North Carolina workers for over a decade with
threats, intimidation, and even violence. Smithfield creates a dangerous
workplace with fast line speeds and inadequate training, and then even fires
some workers when they get hurt and denies their Workers Compensation
claims. People of faith and conscience throughout the country are saying,
"Enough is enough! We won't eat pork that's packaged with the abuse of
workers."
Please join us in telling Harris Teeter to stop selling Smithfield Pork
products made in Tar Heel, North Carolina.
Click here,
http://www.smithfieldjustice.com/Signup_Harris_Teetre_Protest.php to SIGN UP
and to take part in the Day of Action demonstrations in the city nearest
you!
We thank you in advance for your support and hope you join us in front of
Harris Teeter stores throughout the state ON DECEMBER 2!
These are the locations where you can support the action:
a.. Asheville: Biltmore Parkway Centre, 1378 Hendersonville Rd.
b.. Charlotte: NEW LOCATION: 1704 Central Avenue
c.. Durham: 1817 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
d.. Fayetteville: Highland Centre, 2800 Raeford Road
e.. Greensboro: 4640 W. Market Street
f.. High Point: High Point Mall, 265 Eastchester Drive
g.. Raleigh: Cameron Village, 500 Oberlin Road
h.. Rocky Mount: West Ridge Village, 3649 Sunset Ave.
i.. Wilmington: 820 South College Street
j.. Winston-Salem: Reynolda Commons, 3508 Yadkinville Road
To find the maps of the locations click here:
http://www.smithfieldjustice.com/Signup_Harris_Teetre_Protest.phpIf you are interested in Tell your Friends about this campaign go to:
http://www.smithfieldjustice.com/Tell_Friend.phpThanks for your help.
Your support is critical in the effort to win Justice at Smithfield.
Sincerely,
Justice at Smithfield NC Team
Posts
