Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 7/2/09

Smithfield Packing Co. and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1208 said late Wednesday they have ratified a new four-year contract covering the 5,000 employees at the company's Tar Heel, N.C., pork processing plant.

"We feel the bargaining committee and the company have reached a fair and equitable agreement," Smithfield Packing spokesman Dennis Pittman told Meatingplace.

The new contract includes:

• Wage increases of $1.50 per hour over the next four years
• Continued company-provided family health care coverage
• Improved paid vacation benefits
• Retirement security through existing pension plan
• Continued joint worker/management safety committee, including safety training
• Guaranteed weekly hours and
• A system to resolve workplace issues

The agreement marks the first contract covering hourly production and maintenance workers at Tar Heel and became effective Wednesday.

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