Associated Press
WILLMAR, Minn. -- The union of United Food and Commercial Workers -- this time Local 789 -- is back in this central Minnesota town laying the groundwork for a certification effort at the poultry plant owned by the Jennie-O Turkey Store.
"One of the main issues we've encountered is job safety," said Jennifer Christensen, director of organizing while sitting in a downtown cafe. "There's a lot of workplace injuries happening that we don't feel are being adequately addressed, and the workers don't feel that they're being addressed."
A spokesman for Jennie-O declined comment on Wednesday.
According to the Union's estimates, almost 45 percent of the work force at Jenny-O is Hispanic. About 30 percent is Somali. Union representatives said problems with safety and injuries are aggravated when the workers don't speak English.
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Jennie-O is owned by Hormel Foods Corp. The 1985-86 strike at Hormel's Austin plant saw more than 1,400 workers walk out. The situation deteriorated to the point where Gov. Rudy Perpich called in National Guard troops.
But the UFCW now says its not intimidated by Hormel. Union representatives said they now just want to get the word out. They'll push for a certification vote when they feel the time is right. That could be months away.
