Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 2/9/11

Workers at JBS USA’s beef plant in Souderton, Pa., signed on Monday their first union contract, the company’s spokesman, Chandler Keys, confirmed to Meatingplace.

The three-year agreement improves wages, health care benefits and working conditions for more than 1,200 employees, the Reporter, a local newspaper in Lansdale, Pa., quoted Wendell Young, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, as saying.

The balloting Monday followed negotiations between the union and JBS after an Oct. 5, 2010, vote by workers to join.

“The election and contract negotiations demonstrate that when workers have a fair and open chice, they choose uinon representation and create an environment that is fairer and more product for workers, the company and the community at large,” Young was quoted as saying. “We applaud JBS for taking the high road in allowing a fair and free process.”

JBS Souderton workers joined 27,000 other JBS workers in the United States and 250,000 workers in the U.S. meatpacking and poultry industry who are represented by the union, UFCW says.

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