With Final Vote, Hormel Workers Ratify New Four-Year Contract to Strengthen Wages, Expand Healthcare Coverage, Increase Pensions
WASHINGTON, D.C.– This week, the final vote by Hormel workers in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Georgia was cast with members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 6 (Algona Iowa), Local 9 (Austin, Minnesota), Local 1473 (Beloit, Wisconsin), and Local 1996 (Atlanta, Georgia) overwhelmingly approving the new contract.
The democratic process for contract negotiations requires members of all four UFCW Local Unions to vote on whether or not to accept the terms of the agreement before contracts are official. The new contract strengthens wages, protects and expands healthcare, and protects and increases pensions for Hormel workers across the country.
The presidents of UFCW Locals 6, 9, 1473, and 1996 released the following statement:
“By strongly voting for a new contract that improves wages and benefits, thousands of our hardworking members sent a powerful message this week about the power that comes from workers standing together.
“This contract not only rewards hard work, it provides affordable healthcare, strong pensions, and critical benefits that ensure our UFCW members are able to build the better life they’ve earned. For millions of Americans, this contract ensures that they can continue to count on our members for the high-quality Hormel products they feed their families every day.”
Background:
A total of 2,500 Hormel workers – represented by UFCW Local 6 (Algona Iowa), UFCW Local 9 (Austin, Minnesota), UFCW Local 1473 (Beloit, Wisconsin), and UFCW Local 1996 (Atlanta, Georgia) – strongly stood united since contract negotiations started the week of July 28, 2019. Together, these workers protected their health care, secured better wages, and improved pensions.
A Tentative Agreement was reached on Friday, October 4 and all four local unions held contract ratification votes with final votes concluding earlier this week.
The new contracts achieve the following:
- Healthcare: All workers will continue to have access to the affordable and quality healthcare that they and their families need.
- Pensions: All pensions were protected and increased to help workers prepare for the secure retirement they and their families have earned.
- Wages: All workers will see increases in wages to help them continue to provide for their families and build a better life.
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The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.3 million professionals and their families in grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries.
Our members help put food on our nation’s tables and serve customers in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at www.ufcw.org