700 trabajadores despedidos de la industria cárnica en Fresno reciben una línea de vida

(English below)

Un procesador de carne del Valle de San Joaquín que ya anunció 178 despidos en Fresno conservará cientos de otros empleos durante al menos un año como parte de un acuerdo de la demanda estatal anunciado el jueves.

La Oficina del Fiscal General del estado anunció el acuerdo alcanzado en el Tribunal Superior de Los Ángeles, en el que el tribunal exigirá que la planta de procesamiento de carne de res Fresno Cargill permanezca abierta por al menos un año y que retenga a sus 700 empleados, a quienes se les pagará lo mismo o más, según muestran los registros del tribunal.

La Central Valley Meat Company, con sede en Hanford, compró Cargill Meat Solutions en mayo, lo que provocó el despido de los 178 trabajadores.

La Fiscalía General del estado siguió ese anuncio presentando una denuncia, argumentando que la adquisición no sólo podría generar cientos de despidos más, sino también eliminar la competencia en el mercado y perjudicar a las empresas que venden ganado.

“El Valle Central ha alimentado a California y a los Estados Unidos durante décadas, y hoy estoy orgulloso de haber asegurado la operación continua de una importante planta de procesamiento y la protección de 700 empleos durante al menos 12 meses”, dijo el Fiscal General Rob Bonta en un comunicado de prensa.

Cargill y Central Valley Meat son dos de los mayores procesadores de ganado del Valle de San Joaquín que compran los animales sacrificados de los productores lecheros.

La Oficina del Fiscal General dijo en su anuncio del jueves que inició un litigio por la preocupación de que la adquisición podría suprimir los precios de los vendedores de ganado, reducir el mercado laboral y reducir los salarios de los empleados.

La Central Valley Meat Holding Company emplea a más de 2,000 personas en cuatro empresas diferentes: Central Valley Meat, Harris Ranch Beef, Harris Ranch Feeding y CLW Foods.

“Estamos contentos de haber finalizado la adquisición de la planta de Fresno Cargill”, dijo en un comunicado el director ejecutivo de Central Valley Meat, Brian Coelho. “Mantener la capacidad de esta planta es el resultado más deseable para los productores. Esta adquisición evita más despidos en la industria y nuestro objetivo es seguir haciendo crecer la industria en California”.

A truck pulling a livestock trailer leaves Central Valley Meat Co. in Hanford, Calif., in a 2012 Bee file photo.
A truck pulling a livestock trailer leaves Central Valley Meat Co. in Hanford, Calif., in a 2012 Bee file photo.
Ground beef rolls along an assembly line toward its plastic wrap at the Cargill beef processing plant in southwest Fresno.
Ground beef rolls along an assembly line toward its plastic wrap at the Cargill beef processing plant in southwest Fresno.
Workers remove bones from chuck cuts of beef at he Cargill Meat Solutions beef processing plant in southwest Fresno in this file photo. Of about 880 employees at the plant, 178 are being laid off later this year following its purchase by Central Valley Meat Co.
Workers remove bones from chuck cuts of beef at he Cargill Meat Solutions beef processing plant in southwest Fresno in this file photo. Of about 880 employees at the plant, 178 are being laid off later this year following its purchase by Central Valley Meat Co.

Fresno CA jobs saved in meat processor lawsuit from DOJ

A San Joaquin Valley meat processor that already announced 178 layoffs in Fresno will retain hundreds of other jobs for at least a year as part of a state lawsuit settlement announced on Thursday.

The state Attorney General’s Office announced the settlement reached in Los Angeles Superior Court in which the court will require the Fresno Cargill beef processing plant to remain open for at least a year while retaining its 700 employees, who will be paid the same or more, the court records show.

Hanford-based Central Valley Meat Company bought Cargill Meat Solutions in May, spurring the layoffs of the 178 workers.

The state Attorney General’s Office followed that announcement by filing a complaint, arguing the acquisition could not only lead to hundreds of more layoffs but also eliminate competition in the market and hurt those companies selling cattle.

“The Central Valley has fed California and the U.S. for decades, and today I am proud to have secured the continued operation of an important processing plant and protection of 700 jobs for at least 12 months.” Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a news release.

Cargill and Central Valley Meat are two of the largest cattle processors in the San Joaquin Valley that purchase the animals culled from milk producers.

The AG’s Office said in its Thursday announcement it initiated litigation over concern the acquisition could suppress prices for cattle sellers, reduce the labor market and lower wages for employees.

The Central Valley Meat Holding Company employs more than 2,000 people at four different companies: Central Valley Meat, Harris Ranch Beef, Harris Ranch Feeding and CLW Foods.

“We are pleased to have finalized the acquisition of the Fresno Cargill plant,” Central Valley Meat CEO Brian Coelho said in a statement. “Maintaining the capacity of this plant is the most desirable outcome for producers. This acquisition is preventing additional layoffs in the industry, and our goal is to continue to grow the industry in California.”