Foster Farms Employees on Strike

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Greetings:

 

This is the perfect time to submit letters to the editor regarding

Foster Farms' mistreatment of animals. Visit www.fosterfacts.net for

more information about animal neglect at Foster Poultry Farms.

 

Sincerely,

Christine Morrissey

EBAA

 

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Poultry plant workers go on strike

Associated Press

Tue, Oct. 25, 2005

 

Letters to the Editor: letters

Web Link:

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/12993300.htm

 

LIVINGSTON, Calif. - Hundreds of northern San Joaquin Valley poultry

plant workers went on strike Tuesday morning, accusing Foster Farms of

unfair labor practices.

 

Independent Workers of the San Joaquin Valley, a union that represents

some of the plant's 2,400 workers, claims the company has illegally

harassed, demoted and suspended employees over the years. The union has

threatened a strike since May.

 

" The fun just started, " said Pedro Mendez, an organizer with the

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which is

working with the smaller local union.

 

Representatives for Foster Farms, which has plants in California,

Oregon, Washington and Alabama, denied charges of unfair labor

practices. The family owned company has about 10,000 employees.

 

Company officials had said previously they were willing to negotiate

contracts and settle disputes with the independent union. Now, they

said they're prepared to keep the plant running with replacement

workers, said Tim Walsh, Foster Farms' vice president for human

resources.

 

" We're prepared for three days or 30 days, " Walsh said.

 

Problems between the company and the union stem from the company's

refusal to make union membership a requirement for employment, Walsh

said.

 

The Livingston plant processes chicken and puts out whole birds,

fillets, and packs of chicken pieces. It also processes corn-dogs and

hot dogs. The company is the largest employer in Merced County, with

3,800 workers.