March 4, 2008
Union Misstates the Facts – Again
Statement by Dennis Pittman
Smithfield, Director of Corporate Communications
Once again the United Food and Commercial Workers Union is giving false and misleading information to the media and the public. Once again, Smithfield calls on the UFCW to stop blocking a secret-ballot election at the Tar Heel plant. Let the employees vote.
The UFCW’s news release of Monday, March 3, makes three allegations that are not factual:
· The union refers to a notice advising employees of their right to support unionization of the plant. The fact is the Company offered to post the notice almost four years ago and did not contest the matter before the federal court.
A supervisor reportedly joked to an employee that he might not get a promotion because he had attended a union rally. Smithfield determined that, while the supervisor intended the remark as a joke, it was misinterpreted. The supervisor has since died.
· The union’s release admits that its claims in a recent case involving QSI, a contractor to Smithfield, were rejected by a federal court. But the union misstated the court's holding on allegations regarding the activities of Smithfield's special police.
Contrary to the union's news release, the court ruled in its decision reversing the NLRB that "substantial evidence" did not exist to support the union's claims that Smithfield or its security employees engaged in any misconduct. 510 F.3rd 507, 515, fn.7 (4th Cir. 1997).
· The union misquotes a recent letter to employees from the President of Smithfield, Joseph W. Luter IV. In his letter, Luter expressed his appreciation for the employees’ hard work. He cited a number of initiatives by the Company, including the addition of a new holiday on Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. See below to read the entire letter.
In response to reports from employees that the UFCW was offering to pay workers in one department if they walked off the job, Luter advised employees of the possible consequences of walking off. He encouraged them to continue working and to use existing avenues to resolve any problems. The rumored walkout did not occur. Contrary to the union’s news release, Luter’s letter said nothing about supporters of the UFCW.
The UFCW’s news release is the latest in a lengthy series of false and misleading statements made by the union about Smithfield. Once again, the UFCW is trying to smear Smithfield instead of letting employees decide – through a secret-ballot election – whether they want the union. The UFCW should end its campaign of misrepresentations and distortions. It should let the employees vote.
To All Tar Heel Employees:
Happy New Year to you and your family! Let me start by thanking you for all your effort over the past year. Financially, Smithfield Packing started the year with significant losses, but the last several months have been good to the Company and we returned to profitability in November. Your efforts to make quality products that are trusted by our customers are a key reason our Company is experiencing success.
Several months ago, Jere Null and Jeff Gough worked with Larry Johnson and Ken Wilson to meet with every employee at Tar Heel to provide an update on the labor situation that has been part of our lives for the last 15 years. A number of people spoke up during those meetings about issues which concerned them. I would like to update you on what has occurred on the union matter and in the plant since those meetings and also update you on a rumor that has been spreading through the plant. To date, the labor situation remains basically unchanged. The union will not call for an election. We still wait for the day when your voices can be heard.
Some of the changes that have occurred in the plant since October are listed below:
Peer Review – we started Peer Review as a pilot program in two plants over a year ago. It has been successful and welcomed by the employees at those plants who wanted more of a voice in disciplinary issues. We are now rolling out Peer Review in all of our plants. Training will take place here in Tar Heel the last week in January and we look forward to having the program implemented and active in February 2008. I understand many of you have volunteered to participate in the process.
Quality Circle Groups – we have added several more Quality Circle Groups to insure more of your voices are being heard. We want you to hold us accountable just as we hold you accountable and the Quality Circles are a good venue for improving two way communications.
Supervisor/Leadership Training – A new leadership training program is underway and all supervisors and above will be required to attend training on managing, leading and motivating our employees. This program is designed to be sure that all members of management carry out my expectation that all employees are treated with respect and dignity.
Employee Recognition – We all want to feel appreciated and many times we get so busy we forget to say thank you. This past holiday season, in addition to the hams that were given away, we also provided a $25 gift certificate to every employee of Smithfield Packing. This was a small token to show our appreciation for your efforts. In addition, we offered a case of lunchmeat to all employees in January. This is a program we hope to continue in the future – highlighting quality products made by you and your co-workers.
New Holiday – I made the decision to offer a new holiday to all non-union employees of Smithfield. All but one of our plants was closed to honor the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. We are the only major meat company in the country that honors this holiday.
I hope you can see from the above, we are listening to your comments and suggestions and will continue to do so in the future. We know there is more to do. In a plant our size there will always be room for improvement. But our goal is to work with you to solve problems and to make Tar Heel a better place to work.
Lastly, let me make you aware of what we have heard from employees within the Tar Heel Plant. We have been told that the Union is offering to pay employees on the Kill Floor to walk off their jobs. Let me start by saying none of us likes to be threatened or pressured into making decisions. I take my responsibility in running this Company very seriously. I feel responsible to each of you, to our customers and to our shareholders. In line with these responsibilities, let me assure each and everyone of you that I will do whatever it takes to keep this plant operating even if employees on the Kill Floor walk off the job. I understand each of you relies on your job to provide for your family and I will do what I can to protect that security. To those of you, who might be considering walking off the job, please understand that, while we would prefer to work with you, if you walk off we will replace your position with a qualified person who wants to work. We won’t endanger the jobs of everyone else who works at Tar Heel, nor will we be bullied! I encourage you to push the UFCW for a vote. Let the democratic process work to determine the will of all individuals working in Tar Heel.
Again, working together we have shown we can make progress and make this plant a great place to work. I ask for your commitment to doing the right thing if or when you are pressured into making a decision you know is not good for you, your family or the Company.
Sincerely
Joe Luter IV
President, Smithfield Packing Company