FORT MADISON, IOWA — More than 400 Pinnacle Foods employees from the company’s Fort Madison, Iowa, plant voted Sunday to strike in protest to the company’s plan to eliminate their pension plan. The employees are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

“In a volatile financial environment, Pinnacle Foods workers in Fort Madison are simply trying to protect middle class jobs and their retirement benefits after working hard to make their company profitable,” said Darin Boatman, president of U.F.C.W. Local 617. “I hope this strike vote sends a strong message to the company and moves the negotiation process to a successful conclusion.”

The Fort Madison plant manufacturers canned foods products including Vienna sausages, Armour brand corned beef hash, beef stew and chili. The company also owns such brands as Aunt Jemima, Birds Eye, C&W, Hungry Man, Mrs. Paul’s and others.