Thanks to a newly ratified union contract, workers at Souderton’s JBS meatpacking plant are seeing major improvements to the workplace and their paychecks, writes Ariana Perez-Castells for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The agreement is considered the ‘new standard’ for the industry. It is part of a national effort by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW). It covers 26,000 workers nationwide and nearly 1,500 in Souderton.
“This is a big deal,” said UFCW Local 1776’s President Wendell Young, representing the Souderton plant. “These plants are very challenging, and, you know, potentially dangerous places to work.”
The agreement was ratified six weeks ago and includes a retroactive pay bump of $0.60 per hour, dating back to August of last year. Another raise is scheduled for this coming August. JBS meatpacking plant workers will also see a $750 bonus and paid sick leave.
But it doesn’t stop there. Workers now get expanded bereavement leave, shorter timelines for earning vacation, and a pension fund – something the industry hasn’t seen in nearly 40 years.
A spokesperson for JBS says the new contracts will afford their workers a sense of security.
Read more about the new union benefits contract coming to Souderton’s JBS meatpacking plant in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
