010815 Armour-Swift-Eckrich Workers Ratify Contract

Washington - Armour-Swift-Eckrich (ASE) workers in Omaha made history, ratifying the first union contract in the plant's long history. Workers overwhelming approved a new three-year agreement between the parent company, ConAgra, and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 271 that provides significant improvements to wages, benefits and working conditions for the 160 workers.

The new contract brings across the board wage increases for the workers. The ASE employees had worked 11 years with a total of $1.00 increase in their wages. The new contract will give workers $1.00 raise over the next three years. Starting wages at the plant will be $11.45 per hour. Other highlights include:

An improved health care plan that includes prescription, vision and dental coverage at a fixed rate of $3.00 per week for single coverage and $6.00 per week for families.

A safety committee in which workers will have a equal voice with management to address safety issues in the plant.

A defined grievance and arbitration procedure that gives workers the opportunity to solve problems through a neutral third-party.

An improved 401(k) plan for workers to invest in their retirement security.

Double the amount of life insurance previously provided to workers.

A bidding procedure for new jobs that gives everyone a fair chance for advancement.

"I've worked at ASE for 17 years and I never thought we'd have a union contract with so many great benefits. Now I know it's possible. If we can do it, anyone can," said Kathy Boulden, an long-time ASE employee and a member of the worker bargaining committee.

"This new contract with ConAgra brings major improvements to the workers at ASE, but helps raise the standards for all the packinghouse workers in Omaha," said Donna McDonald, president of UFCW Local 271.

"Our new contract makes huge improvements in our health insurance plan. We're going from a Volkswagen to a Cadillac plan -- and the rates are affordable for everyone," said Bob Hilario who has worked at ASE since the plant opened 20 years ago.

Today's achievement comes eight months after the Armour-Swift-Eckrich workers voted for UFCW Local 271 representation at the Omaha plant. Just last month, Nebraska Beef workers filed a petition with the Labor Board to have a chance to make their voices heard for UFCW representation.

The UFCW has been working with Omaha Together/One Community to organize meatpacking workers in the Omaha area since last spring.

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