Workers at Hormel Foods plant in Austin vote to reject contract offer from the company

Workers at the Hormel Foods plant in Austin voted last week to reject what had been termed the final contract offer from the company.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 stated that voting took place Wednesday and Thursday at the Hormel plan and the UFCW union hall in Austin.  The UFCW Local 663 said in a statement…

“This week our coworkers voted overwhelmingly to reject Hormel’s final offer to us. It’s simply not good enough. We stand united and are willing to fight for more for our families and our community. Hormel’s record profits are just wages not shared fairly with the rest of us. The reality is that we keep Hormel running. We demand that Hormel does better and comes to the table for a fair agreement quickly.”

In a statement from Hormel Foods regarding the vote…

“We are disappointed in the vote, especially given the significant contract package offered, however we remain optimistic that we will reach agreement. The parties have agreed to a contract extension until October 8 as we continue negotiations. Hormel Foods has had strong working relationships with the UFCW for decades, including Austin, and remain confident that these positive relationships will continue as we finalize these new agreements.”

The union’s bargaining committee previously had unanimously recommended a no vote.  According to the union, the Austin plant employs over 1700 UFCW Local 663 members..