FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 20, 2008
CONTACT:press@ufcw.org

HYRUM JBS/SWIFT WORKERS STAND UP FOR VOICE ON THE JOB
Hyrum, Utah – More than 1,100 workers gained union representation with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 711 yesterday at the JBS/Swift beef plant (known locally as the E. A. Miller plant) in Hyrum, Utah, after voting overwhelmingly for a voice on the job.
“We stood together for a better future for our families,” said Isaias Lopez, a 22-year veteran of the plant. “That was the first step. Now, we can work on a first contract that brings greater opportunity to our workplace.”
The Hyrum plant has been in operation for over seventy years and became part of the JBS family with their acquisition of Swift meatpacking almost two years ago. It had been the only JBS/Swift plant in the United States that did not have union representation.
“This victory means we’ll have a voice at work,” said plant worker Adalberto Soto. We voted ‘UFCW Yes.’ It was an easy decision, and it was the right decision for our families and our future.”
“When we sit down with management to negotiate that first contract,” continued Soto, “We won’t sit down alone. We’ll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our ten thousand brothers and sisters at all the JBS/Swift plants across the country, and with all workers in the packing and processing industry. The more workers who unite in our industry—the more powerful we are to make better lives for our families.”
Yesterday’s result of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election was a culmination of a worker-led campaign designed to give these men and women a stronger voice on the job and more opportunity for their families.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the Hyrum workers,” said Max Aldama, a member of UFCW Local 1149 and an employee at JBS/Swift’s Marshalltown, Iowa plant who assisted workers in organizing their Hyrum plant. “JBS/Swift has always been willing to work honestly and openly with us in Marshalltown, and I know they’ll live up to the high standards they have always set and kept for themselves.”
###
The UFCW represents 1.3 million workers, 250,000 in the meatpacking and poultry industries. UFCW members also work in the health care, garment, chemical, distillery and retail industries.

UFCW | Press Room Index

UFCW Press Room Index

Copper’s Every Dip Is Felt in Arizona - NYTimes.com

Copper’s Every Dip Is Felt in Arizona - NYTimes.com

The drop in metal prices is being felt at the smelter as well. There haven't been any lay-offs yet but there is increasing tension. The company has begun to cut back on frills as well.

Image:Lange-MigrantMother02.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Image:Lange-MigrantMother02.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This iconic image has always been one of my favorites.

Mother and Naked Child vs. Riot Squad | Fly on the Wall

Mother and Naked Child vs. Riot Squad Fly on the Wall

I came across this article on a SL Tribune photographers blog. I don't know the particulars of this struggle but in my mind it seems like the indigenous mother and child are being evicted forcibly from their land and being overran by the cops.

Cabin Creek Films - Harlan County USA

Cabin Creek Films - Harlan County USA

I've been archiving and posting old photographs in the last while. One of the things that I came across were pictures of the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. At that time 75 mainly, undocumented workers were striking the Co-op mine in Huntington. Utah. The strikers had taken the story of their fight across the United States to build solidarity. They were invited to the screening of the film where they set up a a table to educate people about their fight. People were stunned to find out that coal miners in the 21st century were making $7.00 an hour.

BCS Bound Utes Destroy BYU

Flickr Photo Download: 20081122--6851

Its always good to beat our rival down south.