April 6, 2006
Judge Orders Foster Farms to Bargain
A federal judge in California ordered Foster Poultry Farms to recognize and bargain with the League of Independent Workers, an affiliate of the IAM, on behalf of more than 2,000 workers at a poultry plant in Livingston, California.
In his ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Wanger found reasonable cause to believe the employer committed the alleged unfair labor practice of withdrawing recognition from the league following its affiliation with IAM. He also found the possibility of irreparable harm to the union without the injunction.
The League of Independent Workers was certified as the representative for the workers in November 2004. Bargaining for a first contract began at the end of 2004, and negotiations reached impasse in early May 2005. On Sept. 11, 2005, workers voted 918-21 in favor of affiliating with the IAM. On Sept. 30, the company withdrew recognition from the union, saying it did not recognize the affiliation.
The workers, now a part of District Lodge 190, have stood strong in their effort to gain a fair contract. GVP Pearson said, "It is a shame that this company would take the position that violating every moral standard, and quite a few legal ones, is the right way to do business. I am pleased with the ruling in this case, and hope that Foster Farms decides to join us at the bargaining table and start obeying the law. These workers have already waited too long, hopefully we can now just take care of business."
