'Cut green beans, not benefits': Union workers at Hanover Foods authorize strike

Union workers at Hanover Foods authorized a strike if the company cannot agree on a new contract by the end of the month, according to a release by the union.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, the union that represents nearly 300 workers at the Hanover Foods plants, issued a release Monday saying workers voted overwhelmingly to approve a strike in the event that a contract cannot be agreed on by Aug. 2, 2024.

The most recent labor contract for the workers expired at the end of 2023, the union said, and workers are continuing to work under an extension of the contract.

A key divide in the negotiations is the cutting of retirement and health benefits, said Wendell Young, president of the union in the release, along with raises that Young said do not keep up with inflation.

Young said in the release that the union plans to give the company the seven-day notice of the strike this week.

The union created an online petition demanding a better contract, which as of Monday had collected more than 3,500 signatures.

According to the release, Hanover Foods has over 2,000 employees at seven plants across three states.

Harrison Jones is the Hanover reporter for the Evening Sun. Reach him at hjones@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: 'Cut green beans, not benefits': Union workers at Hanover Foods authorize strike