Union workers at Hormel Foods plant in Austin to vote on 'final' contract offer

By MPR News staff

September 13, 2023 at 2:51 PM

The union representing about 1,700 meatpacking workers at the Hormel Foods plant in Austin, Minn., says they鈥檒l vote this week on a contract proposal it鈥檚 calling a 鈥渇inal offer鈥� from the company.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 bargaining committee at Hormel is recommending workers reject the offer.

鈥淭hey refuse to give us good wages and secure pensions after record company profits,鈥� the committee members said in a statement to coworkers, provided by the union. 鈥淲e believe we can win more if we stick together.鈥�

The union said its members 鈥渕ade huge sacrifices to keep our communities fed鈥� during the height of the pandemic, 鈥渁nd should be compensated as the heroes we are.鈥� UFCW Local 663 members held a march in Austin on Labor Day.

Voting on the contract offer is set to take place Wednesday and Thursday. The union said it still aims to reach an agreement with the company, after the previous contract expired on Sunday.

In a statement, Hormel Foods said it鈥檚 disappointed that a contract agreement hasn鈥檛 yet been reached, but 鈥渨e remain optimistic.鈥�

鈥淗ormel Foods has had strong working relationships with the UFCW for decades, including in Austin. Our representatives will continue to negotiate in good faith,鈥� the company said.

The union did not outline any next steps if the contract offer is voted down this week.

The Hormel plant in Austin was the site of a that drew national attention.