Edwards Puts Pressure on Smithfield CEO for Union Recognition

[The Sushi Bandit]

http://www.gourmetretailer.com/gourmetretailer/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003567964

APRIL 05, 2007 -- Democratic presidential prospect John Edwards is throwing his weight behind labor activists who are trying to pressure the world's largest hog slaughterhouse into recognizing a union without an employee vote, reports an Associated Press article in the Herald Sun.

Edwards, in a letter to Smithfield Foods CEO Larry Pope, urged the company to remain neutral during an organizing campaign at the Smithfield Packing Co. plant in Tar Heel. Smithfield executives have said they would support a secret-ballot vote, but union leaders argue the company won't allow a fair election.

"I hope and expect that you will protect the right of your workers in North Carolina and across the country to form a union and bargain collectively," Edwards wrote in the letter dated Monday and released by his campaign Wednesday.

[underpants]

1. Hoo boy!! Edwards going right at the rightwing supporters

Smithfield was one of the biggest supporters of FORMER Sen.Allen. 3

They're plants in the Va. "southside" are so notoriously unhealthy that EPA OSHA and other violations are just the course of business for them. They pay them and pay their puppets to try to lessen the fines.

Good for Edwards.

[iamjoy]

8. They're Going To Eviscerate Him

Politically speaking, that is. They're going to go after him with everything they've got.

Will you stand with him?

I will.

[movonne]

2. Edwards is great.....hope he picks up lots of support...he would

make a wonderful president...

[Czolgosz]

3. GO EDWARDS GO!

[loudsue]

4. I live in N.C., and I would love to see the unions get a fair shake

Smithfield meats are sitting on the shelves a LOT more than they used to, because of what slimey assholes the company has shown themselves to be. The media has spun it in favor of the company, but the masses aren't buying the spin.

:bounce: Go Edwards!! :woohoo:

:kick:

[JNelson6563]

5. This is great to see!

These companies who try to crush organizing efforts need to be called on their behavior.

Julie

[spooky3]

6. k&r

[Virginia Dare]

7. Edwards is a man after my own heart for standing up to greedy corporate thugs...

and the Smithfield bastards are some of the worst kind.

It's been a while since a President has stood with the American worker, it would be nice to see.