Teamsters win in vote at Tyson Fresh Meats

By The Associated Press

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WALLULA, Walla Walla County — Workers at the Tyson Fresh Meats beef plant have voted to keep Teamsters Local 556 as their union.

The 708-657 vote, tallied Friday, was a victory for union leaders as they head into negotiations for a new contract. But the close decision underscored divisions among the approximately 1,500 plant workers over union representation.

"We're going to work very, very hard," Local 556 President Melquiadez Pereyra said after the vote.

Plant manager Ray McGaugh said in a statement that the company was "disappointed with the outcome of the decertification election," which was the result of a petition started by a plant employee last year.

"However," McGaugh added, "we hope the close vote sends a strong signal to union leadership that hundreds of their members want a more cooperative, less combative relationship with the company."

Union leaders have said they intend to focus on improving worker safety and reducing the speed of production in upcoming contract negotiations. The current five-year contract expires May 30. McGaugh said the company was committed to "negotiating with the union in good faith on a new contract."

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