Union Decertified at Tyson Plant

NEW YORK - Jun 8/05 - SNS -- A decision by workers to remove the union at Tyson's beef complex in Pasco, Washington has been certified by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), ending the Teamsters' 28-year affiliation with the plant, allowing the facility to operate union-free.

A majority of the workers who voted in a February election decided they no longer wanted Teamsters Local 556 to represent the plant's 1,500 hourly production and maintenance workers. The NLRB certified the vote late last week, after union objections were withdrawn.

Since the last labor contract at Pasco expired in May 2004 and a new contract with the Teamsters was never reached, hourly production and maintenance workers have not had a pay increase for two years. Tyson officials are now finalizing plans for a pay increase and additional benefits. Details will be shared with workers later this month and the improvements will be implemented on July 3, 2005.

Including management, the Pasco plant employs more than 1,600 people and produces fresh vacuum-packed, boxed beef for sale to wholesalers, retailers, hotels, restaurants and institutions. Approximately 30% of Tyson's production plants in the United States are represented by unions.