Union Meatpackers Reject Offer to End Four-Month Strike

Union meatpackers at Geo. A. Hormel & Co. overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract that would end their four-month walkout, union officials said after two days of unofficial balloting.

Jim Guyette, president of Local P-9 of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, said Friday that the workers, who cast secret ballots, rejected the proposal by a 2-1 margin. He declined to give an exact vote count.

The vote has not been sanctioned by the union’s international unit, which is conducting a mail-in vote and believes the offer is the best the union will get. Ballots for that vote are to be returned by Jan. 3.

The workers went on strike Aug. 17 in a dispute over wages and working conditions.