About one week after Tyson workers in Texas and at the largest beef processing plant in the U.S. voted to authorize a strike, we’re finally learning the fate of the credible threat.
Last Friday, Teamsters Local 577 members at Tyson Foods of Amarillo announced that its some 3,100 members had voted to authorize a strike at the facility, which it said is the “largest beef processing plant in the United States” and “essential to the beef supply chain.”
The vote to authorize the strike, according to the June 27 statement, came after failed contract negotiation attempts in which employees sought higher wages and “improved benefits.” The union stated it had also filed a number of unfair labor practices against Tyson for violating labor law.
At the time, Teamsters stated that there was one more meeting on the calendar to negotiate a deal and avoid a strike at the Texas meatpacking plant, but they did not disclose the scheduled date or any other details other than that it would be happening.
View this post on Instagram
Related: Iconic 135-Year-Old Food Brand Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Fast-forward to Wednesday evening, the workers confirmed that they had voted by a 93 percent margin to ratify a new four-year collective bargaining agreement that raises wages and expands benefits.
“This victory is what Texas Teamsters are all about — coming together as one so we can fight for a better life for ourselves and our families,” said president of Local 577 Al Brito in a July 2 statement. “Let this be a lesson to everyone else in the meatpacking industry — if you’re not happy with work, it doesn’t have to stay that way. You can win a better future with the Teamsters.”
The new contract includes “massive improvements,” such as 32 percent wage increases, more paid time off, and expanded retirement benefits.
“We’re the top plant there is, the people who work here are some of the hardest workers there are, and we deserve the best contract,” Connie Hernandez, a member of the Tyson Teamsters Negotiating Committee, added. “We finally got it, and that makes me proud to be a Teamster.”
A spokesperson for Tyson did not immediately respond to Parade’s request for comment.
Although famous for its frozen chicken nuggets, Tyson owns several other meat brands that likely would have been impacted by the strike should it have occurred, including Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Aidells, Gallo, Star Ranch Angus, Wright, and Hillshire Farm. Thankfully, the chaos of the “what ifs” is no longer something consumers have to worry about this summer or the next four (it’s sort of like an Independence Day miracle!).
Next: Dollar General Makes Major Update to How Shoppers Can Pay for Certain Items
