On May 2, Union members and community allies gathered in Rochester, Minnesota for the “Fight the Oligarchy” tour, featuring Senator Bernie Sanders and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. Among those in attendance was Josh Nelson, a member of UFCW Local 663 at Quality Pork Processing (QPP), who took the stage to share his experience as a Union worker.
“In 2025 I was on the bargaining committee for our contract negotiations,” said Josh.
“It was the first year we had open bargaining, where all QPP workers could be in the room during negotiations. We packed that negotiating room with hundreds of my coworkers.”
“The bosses felt the pressure. We won a 15.6% raise, the largest wage increase ever seen at QPP. Workers saw a $2.20/hr raise in the first year alone.”
Josh also spoke about the need for pro-worker and pro-Union legislators as the USDA proposes to increase line speeds in our pork and poultry processing plants.
“Right now, Donald Trump’s USDA is trying to deregulate line speeds in pork and poultry plants. This would make my job more dangerous, and it would threaten food safety for the people that consume the products we make.”
“We need now, more than ever, elected officials that will fight for our safety on the job, for affordability, for unions, and for our rights as workers. That’s why I support Senator Sanders and that’s why our union, UFCW local 663, has endorsed Peggy Flanagan for Senate.”
In addition to Sen. Sanders and Lt. Gov. Flanagan, Josh was joined by Sen. Tina Smith, President of the Association of Flight Attendants – CWA, Sara Nelson, and MN Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Watch Josh’s full speech below.