JEFFERSON, Wis. (AP) -- The union for 470 workers who have been on strike against Tyson Foods' Jefferson plant for almost 11 months rejected the company's latest contract offer Sunday.þþThe workers, who walked out Feb. 28 over wage and benefit concessions demanded by the company, voted 242-74 not to take the offer.þþ``People know what the consequences of the actions taken today are, and they're informed and educated, and they still made that decision based on a subpar contract,'' Mike Rice, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 538, told Milwaukee television station WTMJ-TV.þþWorkers say health and pension issues still remain as sticking points, and the contract offer doesn't guarantee some jobs and doesn't allow all striking workers to return at once.þþUnion and company representatives began meeting last month for the first time since the strike began in Jefferson, a working-class community of 7,300 about 30 miles east of Madison.þþThe strike was in reaction to a Tyson contract proposal seeking a four-year wage freeze, creation of a lower-level wage scale for new workers, the elimination of the profit-sharing plan, cuts in vacation, sick leave and pension benefits and a bigger bill for less comprehensive health care coverage.þþSpringdale, Ark.-based Tyson hired replacement workers to continue production at the plant, which makes pepperoni and other processed meat items. Tyson is the world's largest supplier of beef, chicken and pork.þþRice and Tyson spokesman Ed Nicholson did not return messages left Sunday night by The Associated Press.þþNicholson has said the company wants to bring the Jefferson workers' benefits in line with those its employees elsewhere receive, and the wages in line with those of comparable workers in the region.þþ
Source: NY Times
