A strike has been averted at a B&G Foods manufacturing facility in Wisconsin after a wage agreement with the union.

Teamsters Local 120 said workers at the Stoughton plant had “overwhelmingly ratified a strong new contract”, which includes wage increases and improved working conditions.

Staff at the site voted to take industrial action in March as they sought “fair wages”, affordable health care, and better working conditions. The union described the plant as an “understaffed facility”.

In a statement yesterday (13 April), the union said the new three-year contract includes a 19% wage increase and “maintains high quality health care and improves working conditions”.

Shaun Mullikin, the local representative for Teamsters Local 120, added. "Workers at B&G Foods made it clear they deserved fair pay, strong benefits, and respect on the job. Just as important, they protected the health care they rely on. This contract delivers and sets a strong foundation moving forward.”

The Stoughton plant manufactures B&G Foods products including Cream of Wheat cereal, Skinnygirl salad dressing and Ortega taco sauce.

Just Food has asked B&G Foods for comment on the settlement.

When the planned strike action was announced in March, with no date had been set at that time, the company said it was “continuing to bargain in good faith in an effort to reach a new labour agreement that is beneficial to our employees as well as the business”.

Teamsters Local 120 said yesterday the new contracts also include better workplace “protections”, along with an “improved vacation system”.

The union confirmed with Just Food in March that 59 workers are employed at the plant and had voted by a 98% margin to strike.

Headquartered in New Jersey, B&G Foods produces and distributes shelf-stable and frozen foods across the US.

The company has recently been reshaping its portfolio, including selling another Green Giant asset to Seneca Foods.

It also acquired Del Monte Foods’ broth and stock brands this year for around $110m in cash.