Post by crudo on Sept 13, 2006 16:06:39 GMT -5
Signature workers angry about benefits
By CHRISTINA SALERNO
BEE STAFF WRITER
More than 100 Signature Fruit Co. workers who lost their jobs two weeks ago met this morning to lay a plan to get benefits they say they deserve.
They convened at the Teamsters Local 948 on I Street in Modesto, but union officials had not called the meeting. Angry workers peppered a union employee with questions in English and Spanish, claiming the union wasn't adequately representing their concerns.
"We pay union dues, but we have no representation," said Irma Medina, who has worked at the plant since 1982. "We know the plant will close in October, but in the meantime we want to know how we are going to be helped."
Other people said they were worried about severance pay, benefits and finding new jobs. Several employees clutched termination letters, which Signature sent last month. Seneca Foods Corp., a Marion, N.Y.-based food processing company, recently bought Signature.
See The Bee and modbee.com for continuing coverage.
By CHRISTINA SALERNO
BEE STAFF WRITER
More than 100 Signature Fruit Co. workers who lost their jobs two weeks ago met this morning to lay a plan to get benefits they say they deserve.
They convened at the Teamsters Local 948 on I Street in Modesto, but union officials had not called the meeting. Angry workers peppered a union employee with questions in English and Spanish, claiming the union wasn't adequately representing their concerns.
"We pay union dues, but we have no representation," said Irma Medina, who has worked at the plant since 1982. "We know the plant will close in October, but in the meantime we want to know how we are going to be helped."
Other people said they were worried about severance pay, benefits and finding new jobs. Several employees clutched termination letters, which Signature sent last month. Seneca Foods Corp., a Marion, N.Y.-based food processing company, recently bought Signature.
See The Bee and modbee.com for continuing coverage.