The 870 members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1540 walked off the job after rejecting a contract proposal from the company that included what the unionists considered inadequate pay raises. Union officials at the event said messages of support and financial help for the striking workers were on their way from other UFCW locals, including workers at Hormel's plant in Austin, Minnesota, and UFCW Region 6. Twenty-six UFCW local unions have pledged support, they reported.

"With what they've lost in one week's production and paying for all the new security and cameras, they could have more than paid what we were asking and settled this already," said Kristy Dalen in a March 24 phone interview. Dalen, who has worked for Rochelle Foods for 18 years, was helping staff the union hall that day.

After workers rejected the company's proposed contract by a 99 percent margin on February 27, Rochelle Foods added five cents an hour to its proposal for each of the last three years of the four-year contract. Dalen said many workers on the production line threw the letter with the final offer in the trash can. Some, however, paid a visit to the personnel office, dropping off a nickel as they left. By the afternoon, the safety supervisor was called to come and pick up all the nickels in the office and the hallway.

Delores Sandoval pointed out that the last contract four years ago hadn't included much in the way of wage increases either, "but we were taken in by the last minute offer of an $800 signing bonus. Not this time! Out of that $800, after taxes and deductions, most got barely over $300."

Striking workers said that with inflation and company proposals to increase employee contributions to health insurance and prescription co-payments, the raise offered would have left them earning less at the end of four years than they are now.

"Many of those who come to visit the picket line offering support are former workers for Rochelle," said union member Lupe González. "The picket line is up 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many of the local businesses support us. We get coffee, sandwiches, hot chocolate, and donuts."

Many workers point proudly to their unity and multinational background. Only about a dozen workers have joined the supervisors and salaried personnel crossing the picket line. Speakers at the rally "spoke in English, Spanish, and Bosnian," Dalen said.

"We haven't had any problems so far with the police. We have been keeping everything peaceful," Sandoval said. "Picket shifts are four hours but some are out there all day every day, giving up everything to help win this strike," Dalen added. No negotiations between the company and the union have been scheduled.

Messages of solidarity or donations can be sent to UFCW Local 1540, 315 Cherry St., Rochelle, IL 61068. Phone: (815) 562-4661 or fax: (815) 562-3761.  
 
 
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