Bonus dispute causes work stoppage at Pennsylvania meat plant

The Associated Press reports that a dispute involving holiday bonuses led to a brief work stoppage and large police response last Friday at a meat packing plant in suburban Philadelphia, a company spokesman said. About 10 employees refused to return to work at the Moyer Packing Co. after their morning break because of a "miscommunication" about the timing of their bonus checks. Dozens of officers and several ambulances arrived at the site after the 10:30 a.m. disturbance. There was a heated discussion with the disgruntled employees but everyone returned to work. The Smithfield plant, which processes and renders beef, employs about 800 people.