December 21, 2006
PECO POULTRY WORKERS RAISE LIVING STANDARDS WITH NEW UFCW CONTRACT
Peco poultry workers have negotiated a new contract that will bring positive changes in the lives of the approximately 230 workers at the Brookville, Miss. plant. The contract was approved unanimously by workers this Wednesday.
As members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1991, Brookville Peco workers secured a contract that will guarantee wage raises, improved benefits, and will hold the company to more rigorous health and safety standards.
Highlights of the new agreement will include:
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Guaranteed wage increase to $9.65/hr for those who have worked at the plant for 2 years or more;
- An upgrade in the salary of premium jobs totaling 20-60 cents an hour;
- Substantial pay increases for maintenance workers of 50 cents an hour for each year worked at the plant;
- A change in health insurance plans that will eliminate deductibles and bring significant cost savings to employees;
- Establishment of bereavement leave as opposed to funeral leave, granting workers more time to mourn the death of a loved one;
- New safety equipment standards including additional time and stations to clean safety equipment and the required replacement of worn-out equipment by the employer;
- Optional orientation on union membership for those interested in joining.
“UFCW members from the Peco plant stood together and demonstrated the determination necessary to win a groundbreaking contract that will improve the lives of Brookville families and benefit the local economy as poultry workers have more money to spend,” said Eddie James, President of UFCW Local 1991. “This just shows that solidarity gives us strength at the bargaining table so that we can improve the lives of working people and their families.”
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