Tell Tyson Meatpackers: "You Are Not Alone"

Take action right now and tell Tyson Foods workers in Pasco, Wash., you support their right to decide for themselves whether or not to keep their union—in an environment free from employer harassment, intimidation and coercion.

To learn more about the facts behind the campaign, click on "Tell Me More" below.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Dear Workers at the Tyson Plant in Pasco, Wash.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Dear Workers at the Tyson Plant in Pasco, Wash.:

I stand firmly in support of your basic right to keep your union to improve job safety standards, secure a livable wage and win important benefits like affordable health care.

I know and appreciate the fact you perform one of the most dangerous jobs in America to provide food to so many of America's families, but organizations such as Human Rights Watch continue to spotlight companies such as Tyson Foods for failing to implement needed recommendations that would serve to greatly reduce on-the-job injuries.

Rather than work with Tyson employees and your union, Teamsters Local 556, the company decided to attempt to scare you into getting rid of your union. I firmly believe that no worker should have to endure the types of threats, one-on-one meetings with supervisors and mandatory group meetings such as those you have been through.

When companies like Tyson Foods attempt to harass, intimidate and coerce workers from this basic right, it hurts the whole community. More than ever, people must earn two incomes just to get by at the expense of time with their families. Communities suffer when full-time jobs fail to pay enough to support a family, contribute to the tax base and inject badly needed local purchasing power.

Workers need a voice at work to bargain for basic job safety standards, family supporting wages and health care coverage for their families.

I call on Tyson Foods - the world's largest meat company, enjoying record sales and profits in 2004 - to provide its employees with a safe workplace, allow workers to decide for themselves without fear whether or not to keep their union and treat its workforce with respect. Tyson Foods should live up to its corporate mission at its meatpacking plant in Pasco, Wash.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
February 04, 2005

Background Information

Tyson Foods’ Attack on Workers’ Safety and Freedom to Form Unions in Washington

Company Background

Tyson Foods Inc. is the world's largest producer of beef, pork and chicken products, with projected 2004 revenue of $27 billion to $28 billion, up from $24.5 billion in 2003. The company enjoyed record sales and earnings in 2004, according to CEO John Tyson.

Tyson's Record on Worker and Consumer Health and Safety

The Washington state Department of Labor fined Tyson’s Pasco plant last year for allowing conditions "they knew [were] dangerous and didn't do anything" About.

Tyson's Attack on Workers' Wages and Bargaining Rights

Workers at the Tyson plant in Pasco—most of them Latinos and other immigrants—are union members with Teamsters Local 556, a progressive local union that has worked with community organizations to promote worker safety, food safety and immigrants' rights.

Tyson management tried to get workers to vote out Local 556 in April 2004, but workers voted to remain union members and enter contract negotiations. A few weeks later, Tyson canceled dues check off to try to bankrupt Local 556 or force the union to accept a substandard contract.

Tyson recently made a final offer that would freeze workers' wages and eliminate union rights such as dues check off and union security, which would effectively mean the end of union representation at the plant.

Local 556 members are proposing Tyson Foods settle contract negotiations on the terms it has agreed to in numerous recent settlements with other local unions.