Thanks to the determined two day walkout by hundreds of workers at Smithfield's Tar Heel, NC plant, backed by thousands of supporters across the country, Smithfield agreed to a negotiated settlement with the workers to halt the wholesale firing of immigrant workers.

The Smithfield Justice internet network generated thousands of calls to the company from national religious, civil rights and immigrant rights organizations demanding that the workers' rights be respected. Smithfield Justice allies notified the company about their support for the workers, including the National Baptist Convention, the Progressive Baptist Convention, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the North Carolina NAACP, National Council of Churches and Rainbow Push. Eric Schlosser, whose new movie Fast Food Nation opens this weekend, issued a public statement condemning the company for its victimization of the workers.

The catalyst for the protest was a disagreement between the workers and the company about the Smithfield's implementation of immigration issues. In Smithfield operations where workers are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), contract language provides for a systematic and constructive process for workers and the employer to resolve issues such as immigration and work status. Workers at the Smithfield Tar Heel plant have been struggling for the protection of a union contract for over a decade.

Following the walk out, the company agreed to negotiate around the workers' issues through the Catholic Church and their attorneys. The company acknowledged that they had misinterpreted the law and agreed to make appropriate adjustments to comply.

The company, for the first time, also agreed to meet with an elected group of workers' leaders to further negotiate about plant issues on Tuesday. Specifically, the two parties agreed to:

• Smithfield has agreed to increase the time allowed for employees to respond to "no match" letters from the Social Security Administration.
• Employees who have been laid off for failure to resolve Social Security issues may return to work while they sort out these issues.
• Smithfield's Human Resources Department will designate a staff member to help process "no match" Social Security issues and respond to questions.
• Smithfield has agreed that if mistakes have been made, they will be addressed.
• No disciplinary actions of any kind will be taken against those employees who participated in the walkout.
• Tar Heel plant manager Larry Johnson will meet again with a group of Smithfield employees on Tuesday, November 21 at 2:00 pm.

Extra Documents

• Press Realease - Smithfield Workers win negotiated agreement with company on unnecessary firing, click here
• Press Realease (Español) - Smithfield Workers win negotiated agreement with company on unnecessary firing, click here
• Telling your Friend to help us in this critical moment, click here

	Workers outside the plant.
	Workers outside the plant supporting the protest.
	Friday 17-2006 early morning fighting for justice.
	Friday 17-2006 afternoon.

Video made Friday,17-2006

Around 9am on Thursday, November 16, 2006, hundreds of workers at Smithfield's Tar heel, NC plant initiated a walk-out and work stoppage in protest of Smithfield's unjust labor practices. For too long now, Smithfield has engaged in a vicious campaign of abuse, fear, intimidation, harassment and violence. Dozens of workers, including union supporters, have been fired by Smithfield in the last few days. The company is targeting and discharging workers, mainly immigrants, over social security number discrepancies. On Thursday, Smithfield issued notices of discharge to dozens of workers which precipitated the spontaneous walkout. By mid-morning on Thursday, hundreds of workers on the morning-shift poured out of the Plant and congregated outside in protest of Smithfield's recent, as well as ongoing, actions. The walk out continued this morning. Hundreds of workers arrived at the plant this morning at 5 AM but did not go to work.

This morning,a group of walk-out leaders issued this statement:
"We, the Workers of Tar Heel Smithfield Plant, stand united in the following demands:

• No retaliation now or in the future for any worker participating in the fight for justice at Smithfield including but not limited to points, demotion, or termination.
• An end to the unjust firing of Smithfield Workers and the timely rehire of all workers who have been unfairly terminated."

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As we speak, workers in Smithfield's Tar Heel North Carolina plant are pouring out of the plant in a spontaneous protest against abuse and intimidation after Smithfield Packing apparently retaliated against the workers standing up for their rights and demanding a voice on the job.

Please, help us spread the word and demand Justice at Smithfield right now by sending a Letter to Smithfield Chairman of the Board Joseph Luter and Smithfield CEO C. Larry Pope demanding them to stop the intimidation and abuse in Tar Heel. You can also call the plant directly in Tar Heel to express support for the workers and demand no retaliation and an end to abuse.

Smithfield must respect the rights of workers! Smithfield MUST stop the abuse in Tar Heel! Smithfield Must not Retaliate! We must show to Smithfield that the whole world is watching and we will not tolerate their abuse and intimidation.

Your support RIGHT NOW is greatly needed! Please tell everyone you know to contact Smithfield and stand up for the rights of workers.

Videos