Livingston Foster Farms Workers Back on Strike

Foster Farms workers strike for second time

LIVINGSTON -- Workers at the Foster Farms chicken plant went on strike for the second time in nine days today, but the company reported that output was not affected.

Union leader Pedro Mendez estimated that 1,600 of the the plant's 2,300 employees would join the walkout by day's end.

A statement from the company said a majority are staying on the job "and the plant will continue normal production operations with existing employees and a small contingent of replacement workers."

The first strike started Oct. 25 and lasted four days. Union leaders said up to 1,100 people walked out, but the company said no more than 700 did.

The strikers, affiliated with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, threatened to walk out again as early as Wednesday of this week.

"These interruptions are going to be very painful and costly to the company," said Mendez, a San Mateo-based business representative for the union. He said the second strike is open-ended, and even more short strikes could follow.

The two sides have been deadlocked since May over pay raises and whether workers should be forced to join the union. Foster Farms, the largest poultry producer in the West, said its offer is final.