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NEWS & LETTERS, OCTOBER 2003Tyson Foods strikeJefferson, Wis.--At Tyson Foods pepperoni and sausage plant here, 470 members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 538 have been on strike since February. While Tyson CEO John Tyson was paid $7.7 million in 2002 (up $3.2 million from 2001), the four-year contract Tyson proposed would freeze wages, begin a two-tier wage structure for new hires, cut sick leave by 50%, and vacations by two weeks. Tyson also proposed freezing retiree pensions and discontinuing their health care coverage (a $225 per month loss). Active workers would pay up to $40 per week more for health coverage. Tyson wants to end severance pay, so the company could shut the plant down with very little notice to workers. Tyson and the union have not bargained since February. Strikers have garnered considerable support from neighbors, businesses and unions across the country. Tyson is running one shift with scab labor bused in from a neighboring county. Supporters, don’t buy Tombstone, DiGiorno or Jack’s Pizza; encourage the local Pizza Hut to post a sign “Eat Here--We Do Not Use Any Tyson Products on Our Pizza”; and ask high schools not to serve Schwan’s or Tony’s Pizza. Donations may be sent to: UFCW Local 538 Strike Fund, 2228 Myrtle St., Madison WI 53704. See www.tysonfamiliesstandup.org --Strike supporter |
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