If we are to fix our broken food system, we must fight for the workers, too

At The Humane League, we are proud to fight for our mission to end the abuse of animals raised for food. And as we work to reform our broken food system, we also recognize that animals are far from industrial animal agriculture’s only victims. Workers, too, suffer at the hands of this exploitative industry. Even in normal times, they are forced to endure some of the most dangerous working conditions in the country.

Without a doubt, the current global crisis is hitting the most vulnerable the hardest, and that includes slaughterhouse workers who—even on normal days—put their lives and health on the line in order to feed their families. US meat workers are three times more likely to suffer serious injuries than the average worker, and reports prepared by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have found that there are at least 17 “severe” injuries a month in US meat plants. The current pandemic only heightens the level of stress and risk these workers are forced to endure.

Even in this time of crisis, massive meat companies continue to neglect their workers, just as they neglect the animals trapped in factory farms and slaughter plants. New reports show companies like Tyson, Sanderson Farms, Smithfield, Cargill, and many other large producers are doing very little—if anything—to protect their workers during these challenging times.

Workers have reported that they are keeping their symptoms to themselves out of fear of discipline or termination. Others are organizing walk outs, demanding compensation for the risks they are exposed to while working alongside individuals who may be sick with COVID-19. Emerging news reports about workers fearful for their lives show this is happening across the country.

We share common ground with these workers and the advocates who aim to protect them. We are both up against massive, exploitative meat companies that put profit before the protection of animals and their own employees.

We stand with slaughterhouse workers across the country who are fighting for basic protections like paid sick leave, clean work environments, hazard pay, and other meaningful improvements to ensure they are afforded a healthy and safe working environment. We also join the call for massive meat companies to slow down their high-speed slaughter lines to improve conditions for workers.

If there has ever been a more important time for these companies to act with care and responsibility, it is now.

Please consider signing this petition, hosted by the organization Venceremos, demanding major poultry producers give workers paid-sick leave during this time.