MADELIA, MINN. – The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 663, in conjunction with Unidos MN, called on Tony Downs Foods in Madelia to establish a child well-being fund as part of the union’s negotiations with the meatpacker.

In September 2023, Tony Downs Foods reached a settlement with the State of Minnesota following an investigation by the Department of Labor and Industry that found minors working in the company’s processing plant. The company and the state reached a settlement of $300,000.

In a statement to MEAT+POULTRY regarding the penalties, David Ross, vice president of human resources for Tony Downs said, “We cooperated fully with DLI’s investigation and this civil agreement is not an admission of any unlawful act. We believe that the administrative penalty included in the settlement was grossly disproportionate, not supported under the law, and an attempt by the DLI to make our family-owned company an example for a serious issue that is pervasive among employers in the food sector and many other industries across the US. As we have stated repeatedly, Tony Downs does not, and did not, knowingly hire workers who are under 18 years of age in production areas.”

Workers at Tony Downs Foods in Madelia developed a union proposal to Tony Downs during ongoing contract negotiations. The fund would establish up to $50,000 per year to help children in the Madelia community. UFCW will work with community partners to determine what would be appropriate to build in their communities.

UFCW Local 663 members at Tony Downs Foods in Madelia have been working without a union contract since October 2023.