Union Takes Fight for a Fair Contract to the Ports of Seattle

National Frozen Foods Corporation (NFFC) is refusing to come to an agreement with their workers union, according to the Washing State Jobs with Justice. NFFC is located in Chehalis, Washington. They are one of the largest frozen vegetable processors in this county. Several years ago, when NFFC was struck by the failing economy, their worker agreed to ease the burden by taking pay cuts and other benefit reductions.

The local Teamsters 252, part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has been attempting to reach an agreement with NFFC on a new collective bargaining agreement. According to the Washington State Jobs with Justice, the union is asking for an end to the anti-worker activities at NFFC. Their continual disrespect towards the rights of their workers will no longer be tolerated.

In response to the union's collective bargaining agreement, NFFC announced that the negotiations were at a stand still and canceled the union's contract. This move is illegal and in response the union filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board. This is not a surprise, according to the Washing State Jobs with Justice. According to them, twice in the last three years NFFC tried to vote out their union and failed; the employees want the union to help them fight for their workers' rights.

The employees that are affected the most by the concessions granted to NFFC over the last few years are their lowest paying employees or those just starting. NFFC has reduced wages up to 16%, reduced health care coverage for retirees and seasonal workers, and they have raised the required minimum hours to work to earn health care benefits. The union originally agreed to this, believing the company was hit by hard times, but they now believe that those times are over and they deserve a contract that will bring these benefits back.