Smithfield Foods RICO Action against the United Food and Commercial Workers Union...

Smithfield Foods RICO Action against the United Food and Commercial Workers
Union Permitted by Federal Court to Proceed
- Case Expected to Proceed to Trial After Court Denies Union's Motion to
Dismiss -

SMITHFIELD, Va., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smithfield Foods, Inc.
(NYSE: SFD) and Smithfield Packing Company ("Smithfield" or "the Company") are
pleased with the decision today by a Federal Court allowing their civil suit
brought pursuant to the RICO statute against the United Food and Commercial
Workers (UFCW) and others to move forward. The Court denied the Union's
Motion to Dismiss the case while permitting Smithfield the opportunity to
amend one of its several counts to more closely track the provisions of the
statute. The Companies believe their ability to pursue the case is a pivotal
step toward upholding the law, protecting the rights of Smithfield's workers,
and preventing further damage to Smithfield's business.
After several unsuccessful attempts at reconciliation, Smithfield filed a
civil suit in October in order to seek relief from the extortionate corporate
campaign perpetuated by the UFCW and their agents over the last several years.
In the Complaint, Smithfield asserts that the UFCW initiated a corporate
pressure campaign for the expressed purpose of forgoing a secret ballot
election and forcing the Company's "voluntary" recognition of the Union as the
sole bargaining representative for the hourly employees at the pork processing
plant in Tar Heel, North Carolina.
Pursuant to applicable law, Smithfield is seeking compensatory and
consequential damages to their business and property, damages resulting from
the Union's acts and omissions, exemplary and punitive damages for the Union's
intentional, and malicious misconduct and equitable relief as might be
appropriate. Additionally, the Company seeks reimbursement for reasonable
attorneys' fees and costs and any other relief the Court deems just and
proper.
With sales of $12 billion, Smithfield is the leading processor and
marketer of fresh pork and processed meats in the United States, as well as
the largest producer of hogs. For more information, visit
www.smithfieldfoods.com.
Contact:

Lyndsey Estin/Adam Weiner
Kekst and Company for Smithfield Foods, Inc.
(212) 521-4800

SOURCE Smithfield Foods, Inc.

Lyndsey Estin, or Adam Weiner both of Kekst and Company for Smithfield Foods,
Inc., +1-212-521-4800