AUSTIN, Minn. (AP) &045; The federal mediator working with Hormel Foods Corp. and the United Food and Commercial Workers union has asked both sides to keep quiet until contract negotiations conclude.

&uot;In order to provide the best opportunity for success, we have requested that all parties refrain from commenting until the conclusion of the mediation sessions,&uot; said Scot Beckenbaugh, a director with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

The federal agency was called in to help mediate contract talks that affect about 3,000 workers in the Hormel’s plants in Iowa, Georgia, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

On Sunday, Hormel’s unionized workers overwhelmingly rejected Hormel’s latest contract offer.