A striking Hormel local got aid from its union.

The United Food and Commercial Workers agreed to support the Austin, Minn., local’s contract battle with Geo. A. Hormel & Co., saying it would sanction pickets at Hormel meatpacking plants nationwide unless the company agreed to return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith. Local P-9, representing about 1,500 members who went on strike Aug. 17, had repeatedly asked the international union to sanction roving pickets at other Hormel plants but had been rebuffed. In the agreement, the union extracted a promise from P-9 for increased flexibility in its bargaining position with Hormel.