Fencing has gone up at the Foster Farms Livingston, California, plant in the event of picketing related to ongoing labor negotiations. The company and the United Farm Workers have been discussing a contract to replace the one expiring in October for most of the approximately 2,500 employees, according to the Modesto Bee. The plant is next to the headquarters for Foster Farms.
The fencing is aimed at keeping people safe, Foster Farms spokesman Ira Brill said Wednesday. “We continue to hope we can conclude a settlement with the United Farm Workers,” he said.
The current contract is with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The employees decided to seek the new agreeement with the UFW, best known for its efforts on behalf of field workers.
In 2005, less than half of the Livingston workers staged three strikes totaling eight days. The action led to sometimes tense protests outside the plant over replacement workers. Foster Farms said production did not slow. Livingston City Councilman Gurpal Samra said police officers would remain near strikers to keep the peace.
