UFCW fighting US Bornstein Seafoods’ attack on retirement
Published: 03/08/2017
The IUF-affiliated UFCW is in a tough fight on behalf of some 100 workers at the Bornstein Seafoods processing plant in Bellingham, Washington in response to the company’s unilateral withdrawal from the collectively-bargained pension fund last June. Bornstein has also failed to establish and fund an equivalent alternative retirement program as stipulated in the collective agreement.
Bornstein workers, represented by UFCW Local 21, have attempted to reach a deal through months of negotiations but the company persistently rejects union contract proposals that would provide fair wages while preserving workers’ health benefits and retirement security.
The employer’s unilateral withdrawal from the pension fund has already unlawfully deprived Bornstein workers of thousands of dollars in compensation – up to $2,500 each for full-time employees. UFCW 21 is preparing legal action to recover those lost wages.
Bornstein has three processing facilities in the US Northwest.