QPP workers gain historic 15.6% wage increase – Austin Daily Herald

On Saturday, Aug. 2, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 663 members at Quality Pork Processors (QPP) ratified a new contract with the company, securing a three-year agreement with historic wage increases and a ratification bonus.

Workers gained a 15.6% raise, the largest wage increase ever seen at QPP. Workers will see a $2.20 an hour raise in the first year, and a total increase of $3.10 an hour over the three-year contract. On top of the increase, workers will also receive a $200 ratification bonus, and improvements to their vision and dental benefits.

“I’ll be celebrating this contract with my co-workers” said Josh Nelson, a worker in the Cut department at QPP. “Having the negotiations room packed with members won us more money than we ever have before.”

This contract for meat-packing workers in Austin follows a 2023 increase Hormel workers also won, setting a new meat-packing industry standard.

“The workers at QPP stood together to demand a contract that values their hard work with fair wages and dignity,” said UFCW 663 President Rena Wong. “In Austin, a proud union town, workers made it clear: fair pay isn’t optional, it’s necessary.”