Source:  Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 6/26/09

The first tentative agreement has been reached between Smithfield Packing Co. and the bargaining committee of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1208 — the first since the union won a vote late last year to represent employees at its Tar Heel, N.C. plant, the largest pork processing facility in the world.

In a release, UFCW notes that "the bargaining committee and Smithfield believe the agreement provides a fair and equitable package … and allows Smithfield to remain competitive in the market."

The union ratification vote on the proposed package is scheduled for June 30 and July 1. The two sides began negotiating in February. Some 5,000 employees are eligible to vote on the contract proposal.

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