Contracts with Tyson, BPI approved by Union members

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10874628

Posted: Aug 09, 2009 9:47 PM CDT

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) - Union workers at Tyson Foods and Beef Products Incorporated ratified new contracts Sunday with their employers. The vote came just hours before the current contract was set to expire.

Tyson workers will see a one dollar and 55-cent per hour wage increase over the next four and a half years. That means processing slaughter employees will make as much as 15 dollars and 60 cents per hour. The top wage for maintenance employees is 19-dollars an hour.

Union reps also say the new contract includes better insurance.

Marvin Harrington, the U-F-C-W's president, says 85% of the union members passed the deal, and feel it's a fair compromise.

"We're very happy. With the economy the way it is and everything in the world going on right now, we feel like we got a decent deal, now we have four and a half years to continue working and having jobs," remarked Union President Marvin Harrington.

The union also came to a five year agreement with BPI, which includes a wage increase of one dollar and 60 cents an hour over the next five years.

FULL story and video at link.