After more than three weeks on strike, members at Holten Meat went back to work with a new workplace contract that addressed every single one of their concerns. These members now have quality-of-life schedules, more respect on the job, and the ability to move to better shifts when they become available.
Holten Meat members walk picket despite the cold to tell their employer that they have earned a better contract
“Strikes are never easy,” said UFCW Local 655 President David Cook. “And they are never the goal of negotiations, but this strike is proof that they can be effective when workers stand together with one voice at work.”
Management at Holten Meat also agreed to form a new Labor-Management partnership and meet regularly with Local 655 leaders so that strikes would not be necessary in the future. Holten CEO Scott Hudspeth and President David Cook showed this new solidarity agreement when they joined forces the day Holten employees returned to work. The two men grilled pork steaks and brats for returning workers and thanked them for their hard work. The two men have agreed to meet monthly in order to rebuild the relationship between Holten Meat and Local 655.
“I am proud to see this new contract addressed all of our concerns,” said Trinetta Kitchen, a Holten Meat employee. “We were out there in the rain, the cold, the heat, and overnight, so we could get the deal we had earned.”
