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Workers at Meat Company Vote to Join Teamsters Local 523 in Oklahoma
On April 21, 2017, workers at Armour-Eckrich Meats in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, voted to join Teamsters Local 523 in Tulsa. There are 13 drivers and loaders in the bargaining unit.
“We welcome our newest members, who are seeking improved working conditions and a fair pay system,” said Gary Ketchum, President of Teamsters Local 523. “The workers are paid 100 percent on commission, with no base bay, and they are not paid for delay time or the time they spend driving between deliveries.”
The workers transport meat products to area grocery stores. The primary customer is Dollar General Stores.
“We will work hard to negotiate a strong first contract that addresses the workers’ needs,” Ketchum said.