Local Union to Help Displaced Cargill Workers

John Eiden, President of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473, announced today that the Union will help workers displaced by Cargill’s decision to shut its Milwaukee beef processing operation.  

On Wednesday, Cargill announced it would displace 600 workers by closing its Milwaukee beef slaughterhouse.  Cargill’s sudden announcement came as a shock to the 600 workers. Cargill’s closing will devastate workers and their families. Eiden said that Local 1473 will contact the meat packing and processing plants in Southeastern Wiscosnin and Green Bay and encourage them to attend the job fair scheduled for the Cargill workers next week.   
 
The Union also offered to assist Cargill workers who have questions regarding filing claims for unemployment compensation or other matters related to their employment. The Union will have attorneys and interpreters available at the UFCW Union hall in Milwaukee, 2001 North Mayfair Road, on Tuesday, August 5, from 1:00 until 4:00 to meet with workers to discuss legal rights related to their employment.  
 
Eiden added, “In these difficult economic times, all workers should stand together in solidarity to help each other. Local 1473 will continue to do whatever it takes to make the lives of workers in our industry better.”
 
Local 1473 represents approximately 4,000 Southern Wisconsin area workers in meat and other food processing jobs.