Union workers at Quality Pork Processors Inc.

Saturday, June 30, 2001

Union workers at Quality Pork Processors Inc. have approved a new contract.

The four year contract agreement between QPP and Local 9 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union was ratified by union members in a 481-286 vote compiled Friday night.

Last week, when the union rejected a wage increase of $1.05, the company moved toward the union’s position by adding an additional 25 cents, making the base wage $11.50 an hour.

A news release issued by the company said that the agreement made "QPP one of the foremost leaders for the slaughter industry in the United States in terms of wages and benefits."

Under the contract, the actual range of base plus grade pay for production moves from $10.75 to $12, while the pay scale for maintenance workers goes up to $16.95. Additionally, night pay and meal allowances are greater.

Production employees required to wear whites who have worked for one year now will receive two sets of clothing a year, and employees will be allowed to split some of their vacation time into single days, while short-term disability pay increases 40 percent. Employees who work for the company for five years or more will receive an additional 13 weeks of disability pay.

The company also will offer its employees a more generous 401K plan, and will meet every employee dollar with 30 cents after one year, 35 cents after two years, 40 cents after three years and 50 cents, up to $2,000, in the final year of the contract.

Additionally, QPP will help employees create a flexible spending account, which will allow tax savings for expenses not covered by insurance.

The medical limit will be $1,000, but the child-care portion will have a limit of $5,000. Finally, QPP employees will receive funeral leave, as well as improved medical, dental, vision and life insurance.

Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz was pleased the labor negotiations are over and a strike was averted.

"It’s always good that the contracts are settled and in place and people can move forward," she said.

Union members had been working without a contract since June 20, when the old contract expired. It had been extended on a day-to-day basis, while talks, which began two months ago, continued.

QPP is Austin’s second largest employer and operates from leased facilities adjoining Hormel Foods Corp.

Call Sam Garchik at 434-2233 or e-mail him at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.