They had just come from the company cafeteria, where the voting had taken place. More applause, shouts, and handshakes of congratulations. Now there would be a fight for a union contract, to continue to strengthen the fight against the employers' ongoing attacks on the workers. The company has vowed repeatedly that they will never negotiate a contract with the union. The strike and launching of the union drive were the meat packers' response to deep attacks by the company.
Many workers say the speed of production doubled over the previous six months.
A number of workers were asked to do the jobs previously done by two people. Several complained they were forced to continue working while injured. As a consequence of the June 1 sit-down strike, in which they gathered at the company cafeteria in the morning and refused to work until the bosses negotiated their grievances, the workers gained some important concespany cafeteria in the morning and refused to work until the bosses negotiated their grievances, the workers gained some important concessions. The company was compelled to decrease the line speed and allow representatives of the workers to check the rate. It agreed not to force workers to work while injured.