October 28, 2005

Court order allows meat inspectors into Tyson plant despite strike

A court has ordered striking workers at Lakeside Packers cattle slaughter plant in Alberta, Canada, to allow federal meat inspectors back in. Lakeside Packers is a subsidiary of US poultry giant Tyson Foods.

Many of the plant's workers have been on strike since October 12 due to a wage dispute.

The inspectors from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) refused to get past the striking workers for three days this week, out of fear for their own safety. Consequently, the plant's production was halted during that period, as operations could not continue without CFIA veterinarians and meat inspectors present.

In response to the court order, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union said the decision hindered its members' right to strike.

Meanwhile, a Tyson Foods spokesman said 1,100 workers had gone back to work at the plant on Thursday. Many others remained on strike.