AUSTIN, Minn. – Employees of Austin-based  Hormel Foods voted to accept a new four-year contract that is the strongest  labor deal in the meat-packing industry. The contract hikes wages $3 to $6 per hour, doubles bereavement leave, protects healthcare coverage, and increases pensions. The contract was negotiated after the United Food and Commercial Workers union had threatened to strike. The earlier contract had expired September 10.

Earlier: Hormel, union reach tentative accord

Earlier: Strike ahead? Hormel, meat-packer union at impasse

Verbatim

Hormel, in a corporate statement: : “We are pleased that we have reached a new, four-year agreement with the unions representing our team members. We are proud to continuously invest in our people in recognition of the work they do to put the safe, quality food that consumers trust and need on tables across the globe.”

Verbatim

Mark Perrone, union president: “Our members voted today to ratify a contract that includes the largest wage increase in the company’s history.  In addition to gaining hourly wage increases of $3-$6 an hour, the new contract nearly doubles bereavement leave, protects healthcare coverage, and increases both pension and 401k benefits.”