Union Agrees to Contract with Swift in Marshalltown

There had been rumors that workers at the Swift plant in Marshalltown were going to go on strike. However, yesterday the Union, which represents 1900 workers, and Swift agreed to a new contract that raises wages and provides better health care coverage.

According to a press release issued by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, the contract “established considerable wage increases, including $1.40/hr base wage increase over four years and up to an additional $2.00/hr increase in certain job categories throughout the plant.”

Workers were also said to be pleased with additional health care benefits that will be provided. The maximum lifetime health insurance coverage will increase from $1 million to $2 million and orthodontic care will be added to the dental package.

Having their reputation not fully recovered from the immigration raids, a strike would have been a PR nightmare for Swift. The increase in wages in this contract will help improvetheir reputation around the community.