WICHITA, KAN. — Workers at the Dold Foods plant in Wichita, Kan., a subsidiary of Hormel Foods, filed for union election on Oct. 29.

According to the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union Local 2, the official filing followed a barbecue hosted by the workers on Oct. 26 and a demonstration to management a few days later asking for voluntary recognition of the union. After management denied recognition, the workers filed for union election.

“While workers did not receive the union recognition they asked for yesterday, I am hopeful that after the union election, we will be able to negotiate a strong contract, just as we have for countless other union Hormel workers across the country,” said Martin Rosas, president of UFCW Local 2.

UFCW Local 2 represents workers in meatpacking, food processing and other essential industries.

Dold Foods joined the Hormel Foods family in 1984 and currently employs around 275 workers. The Wichita plant produces a variety of retail bacon and foodservice layout bacon items. It provides a significant contribution to the overall bacon production for Hormel Foods.