Employers and employees at Smithfield Foods, the US?s largest pork producer, came to an agreement this morning after months of dispute and conflict. Smithfield Foods has agreed to withdraw its racketeering and extortion lawsuit against the United Food and Commercial Workers and the union has agreed to end its boycotts and campaign of negative publicity. Both sides have agreed to rules for a United Food and Commercial Workers election. Professor Richard Hurd of Cornell University has called the agreement a fair compromise, saying ?it sounds like a productive step, and it?s too bad they had to fight so long to get there.? U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Payne has ordered that no further details be divulged until after the elections take place.
See "Biggest U.S. pork producer drops lawsuit, OKs union slaughterhouse vote as union ends campaign", Larry O?Dell, Baltimore Sun, October 26, 2008