In an incredible piece of news that's been a long time coming....workers at Smithfield Tar Heel in North Carolina, the world's largest meatpacking plant, voted for union representation on Thursday with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

Take a look:

While Smithfield has repeatedly engaged in typical unionbusting activities during the organizing effort, one startling event stands out: Violence erupted immediately after the 1997 union election. At the Tar Heel plant, Smithfield operates its own armed police force with the authority to arrest and detain workers on its property. Although federal labor law says workers have the right to participate in a union election free from fear, coercion, and intimidation, this company police force--heavily armed and dressed in riot gear--surrounded the plant on the day of the election. After the vote count, union supporters were physically assaulted and falsely arrested by the Bladen County Sheriff's Deputies, who were called in by the company to supplement its own private police force.

Even as Smithfield workers won this election, it's taken 15 years to get to this point after unprecedented intimidation - and they still have to negotiate a contract. With the Employee Free Choice Act, the workers' choice would've been recognized as early as 1994, and they'd have a contract for better wages and benefits.

Congratulations to Smithfield workers who persisted in seeking a voice at work in the face of unbelievable opposition from management. With the Employee Free Choice Act, more workers like them can enjoy better wages benefits and job securities.

Read AP's coverage of the victory here. Local NC paper The News & Observer's news coverage here.