Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 4/9/09

A union official representing more than 200 workers at a Farmland Foods plant in New Riegel, Ohio, said Smithfield Packing Co. has thus far refused to pay them severance in the process of closing the plant, according to the Advertiser-Tribune.

The New Riegel plant is one of six pork processing plants that Smithfield is closing as part of a major company restructuring. 

Jeff Stephens, executive director of the Northwest District of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 75, says in the report that talks between union negotiators and Smithfield officials are ongoing but so far Smithfield hasn't agreed to pay severance.

"These loyal employees deserve something," Stephens is quoted as saying. "They (Smithfield) said that was what unemployment is for, but that doesn't cover the cost of COBRA, their extended health insurance."

A Smithfield spokesman reached by Meatingplace declined to comment on the discussions.

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