Attacks mount on P-9 strikers; but labor support remains strong

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Hormel workers from Fremont, Neb., ơn June 28 solidarity march.

FREMONT. Ne. dated International union officials. Huston explained that the judge threatened stiff prison sentences for any P-ger convicted of violence against UFCW trustees.

The UFCW International considers the strike over. It is now attempting to negotiate a contract on the basis of Hormel's original offer and a federal mediator's proposal, both of which have been rejected by the membership in past voting.

"The worst thing,' ," Huston warned, "is that they could sign a contract with the Hormel company without it even being ratified by the rank and file." The UFCW has also said that it cannot promise that the striking P-9 members will get their jobs back in any agreement it might reach with the company.

The UFCW has tried to establish a de facto dictatorship over Local P-9. At the request of the UFCW, the bank accounts of the local and the United Support Group were frozen (the latter are now unfrozen), phones were turned off (for a week-and-a-half), and mail delivery to the local was stopped.

While the trusteeship ruling is being appealed, Local P-9 has gathered enough signatures from its members to petition the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a "recertification" election to organize a new union. The strikers have mapped out plans to inform and convince those working in the plant to join them in a reconstituted union.

If an election is held, both strikers and those working in the plant would have the option of voting for "original P-9," as the strikers call themselves, "UFCW P-9," or "no union."

The response by the original P-9 was per -haps best summed up by one executive board member, who told the crowd at Saturday's rally that UFCW official Jay Foreman had threatened "to go after their ass" if anyone in the striking local didn't kowtow to the International's wishes. "TIl tell him this much," the P-9 leader said, "I'm quite a bit older than he is and if he wants to start kicking fanny—he can start with mine."

All evening on Friday, and all day on Saturday, speaker after speaker sounded the UNITED SUPPORT GROUP same defiant theme in answer to those out to destroy Local P-9.

The crowd got a real boost at the Saturday rally when a number of P-9ers who have been traveling around the country took the stage to describe the warm response they've received from rank-and-file unionists.

Frank Vit, who was fired by Hormel for refusing to cross the picket line in Fremont, Neb., told the crowd, "I've been out on the West Coast in the Bay Area, and I'll tell you those people are great. I also want to tell you that we have people out there on the West Coast in Watsonville, Calif., cannery people, who have been on strike for a long time. I want them to know that my heart is with them and I hope that your hearts are with them too. Viva la huelga!"

The importance of solidarity with other struggles, from South Africa to the picketlines at AT&T, was understood alltoo-well by the strikers, who have relied on support from other unions after having their strike benefits cut off by the UFCW.

Local P-9 Business Agent Pete Winkels captured this idea when he spoke on Saturday. "On my way into town today," Winkels said, "I saw a red-tail hawk flying, which is for those of you who aren't from this area, the king of the air. Anything it wants it can have-something like the Hormel company.

"But there is something else that goes on at this time of the year, when the small birds have their young-and they'll protect them from anything. They'll take after this red-tail hawk. They'll chase after it until they drive it completely out. It's not just one small bird that does it, but it's a group of birds and they all gather their strength to chase that hawk until it's far fom the nesting grounds of their young. That's exactly what you people are doing here today."

Other speakers at the Saturday rally included Vernon Bellecourt from the American Indian Movement, Krista Lee Sutton, who is the real "Norma Rae," and representatives from a number of union locals from around the country.

P-9ers and their families were enthusiastic iction/Mark at this impressive display of support—more often than not giving a standing ovation to those who came to Austin to stand with the original P-9.

A sign of the mood among the strikers and their supporters came unexpectedly on Friday night, moments after Monsignor Charles Owen Rice from Pittsburgh finished an especially moving defense of the strikers cause. As the next speaker was about to be introduced, a low-flying helicopter buzzed over Solidarity City-it was a Hormel helicopter. The crowd stood up, waved and shook their fists, and began chanting "P-9, Despite the powerful forces arrayed against them, the strikers have not given up. They are holding the fort-and as long as they continue to resist company-imposed con -cessions and UFCW company union -ism-the possibility remains that they can link their strike with the workers at the other Hormel plants, whose contracts expire soon.

Original P-9 President Jim Guyette captured best the feeling among those at Solidarity City. "We are going to continue to tell the truth, we are going to continue to struggle until right overcomes might," said Guyette. "There are no quitters here. There are people who are saying, If not here, where? If not now, when? If not us, who?' "To Judge Devitt, we're not through.

"To the Hormel company, the UFCW won't save you.

"Might never makes right, we've only begun to fight. We will overcome your injustices. There's too many people here, too many people elsewhere, that will make sure that we're going to win. Not just for P-9, but for all of us.' Donations and support for the original Local P-9 should be sent to American Labor Relief Fund, clo, NRAFC, 312 21st St., Newport, Minn., 55055.

BUT STILL ACTION JULY 1986 5

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HormeL union fremone WE REFIEW BUT STRONG CUZ WE'RE NOT WRONG LOCAL 22

RETIRED AND TIRED

FIGHTING Socialist Actlon/Mark Harris