Smithfield Packing Co. lost
an appeal of a cease-and-desist order by the Labor
Relations Board, which ruled in 2004 the company illegally,
interfered with a 1997 union election at its Tar Heel,
N.C. plant through intimidation, coercion and the firing
of employees. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in
the District of Columbia ordered
the reinstatement of four employees fired by Smithfield. The United Food and Commercial Workers
continue efforts to unionize the plant. (The New
York Times)
