It’s official! After a long struggle workers at Smithfield Packing in Tar Heel, NC finally won union recognition. Tar Heel’s 5,500 Smithfield workers paid a high cost for a voice on the job. They faced poverty wages, brutal working conditions, crippling injuries, intimidation, racism and violence. But last week, after years of struggle, workers were granted the right to vote for a union and chose the United Food and Commercial Workers to represent them.rnrn”We are thrilled. This moment has been a long time coming. We stuck together, and now we have a say on the job,” said Ronnie Ann Simmons, a worker of 13 years at the plant.rnrnWithout the support of hundreds of DC JwJ members who spent mornings and evenings flyering at local metro stations, putting up yard signs and participating in actions, this victory would not have been possible.rnThank you to all the community, faith and student organizations for all the work you did on this campaign. Check out the campaign photos! rnrnOn the cusp of 2009 the outlook for building on past victories and strengthening workers’ rights in the nation’s capital looks promising. If you value our strong voice for working people in the nation’s capital, please support DC JwJ by making a tax-deductible contribution today! Whether it’s $100, $50 or $25 every gift makes a difference.
