Informational Picketing Hits BrucePac In Silverton

A crowd of 40-plus people picketed the BrucePac meatpacking facility in Silverton this afternoon. We were there in solidarity with the Laborers Union as that union attempts to organize the workers and win a contract. The company has a facility in Silverton and one in Woodburn and both sites are being organized.

A union organizer at the informational picketline explained that the basic issues are hours, working conditions, wages and sexual harassment. A number of workers initially involved in organizing were fired and a number of workers have filed complaints over the firings and over sexual harassment.

While we were picketing the company put up two large banners telling people to honk if they supported local businesses. This is a lame attempt, but it was clear that the picketing touched a nerve with the owners. One of the owners personally observed the picketing and it is likely that they asked the store across the street from the plant to remove the giant fat cat balloon from their premises that the Laborers brought with them.

BrucePac packs certified organic, all-natural antibiotic-free and Halal certified meat and will pack meat for commercial customers. If there is a strong committee working inside the plants the union will have an excellent opportunity to pressure the employer given these markets. The company has been a fixture in the Willamette Valley for some time.

Jobs with Justice got most of the people willing to do informational picketing to the facility.