LANCASTER, PA. — The United Food and Commercial Workers (UCFW) Local 152 filed a labor complaint against Clemens Food Group (CFG), owner of the Kunzler & Co. plant.

In a statement, the union alleges unfair labor practices and filed its complaint to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) earlier in October.

CFG recently announced plans to close the Kunzler facility on Dec. 7, resulting in 193 people being laid off. UFCW stated that the union represents 145 Kunzler workers. In May, CFG acquired Kunzler & Co. Inc., which included three new production plants for the pork processor — one in Lancaster and two in Tyrone, Pa.  

Local 152 sent letters to the mayor of Lancaster, Lancaster City Council, and several other elected officials in Pennsylvania on Oct. 15 asking for assistance in their ongoing situation with the facility’s new owner.

UFCW alleges that CFG has not provided the union with the necessary information to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement and withheld information that has put the union at a serious disadvantage after the recent purchase.

“Many of these folks have devoted their working lives — some up to 40 years — to making the Kunzler brand successful,” said Daniel Ross Jr., president of UFCW Local 152. “Upon purchase CFG represented themselves as honest brokers looking to maintain this legacy plant in the heart of the city. This facility has provided steady employment to the community for decades and CFG is showing these employees a complete lack of respect for their dedication.”

UFCW said in its complaint that in May, CFG “assured the union it intended to maintain the plant and keep the entire workforce.”

Clemens did not respond to a request for comment from MEAT+POULTRY on the latest complaint from the UFCW. However, the company did provide a statement last week when it submitted a WARN notice to its employees in Lancaster.

“From the time of acquisition in May of 2024, we made a commitment to all Kunzler team members to be as transparent as possible about any potential changes to operations and to provide regular and timely updates via coordinated company communications,” CFG said. “These updates have included operational adjustments, potential plant buyer prospects and statuses, and customer news. Our commitment continues with today’s WARN Notice.”