News 14 Carolina - Political Connections

Presidential candidate John Edwards continued his push to be a candidate for labor and the working man Thursday.

He met with workers from the Smithfield Foods pig slaughterhouse in Bladen County. He met with them outside his office. The workers have been trying to unionize for nearly 15 years. They say they are abused often, want more pay, and are fired if they speak out.

Workers told stories of the company using Gatoradge powder in the water to cover up the smell and taste of water problems.

Edwards then promptly held a news conference after the meeting. He announced that he sent a letter to the company asking them to allow the employees to unionize. What's interesting is Edwards says he's never been near the plant or in it. He's also never talked company executives and flat out said he's just taking the word of the employees.

Now, the company denies the working condidtions and has run ads to the contrary in fact.

It will be interesting to see how this impacts talks if any between the company and the employees.