‘Packinghouse Workers Bill of Rights’ to be on agenda

Specificially, the proposed legislation will establish guidelines for employers to follow, including:
 
– The right to organize.
– The right to a safe workplace.
– The right to adequate facilities and the opportunity to utilize them.
– The right to adequate equipment.
– The right to complete information.
– The right to understand information entitled.
– The right to existing state and federal Benefits and rights.
– The right to continuing training including supervisor training.
– The right to compensation for work performed.
– The right to seek state help.

"With 2006-2007 being the 100th year of the release of The Jungle, it is only right and just that workers who labor to make our food safe, should also have the right to a safe and fair workplace," the union said in announcing the campaign.

The Jungle, the landmark book by Upton Sinclair, exposed the horrendous working and health conditions in the meatpacking industry at the turn of the 20th century. Unions say conditions in the industry have gone backwards, with injuries a major concern.

Senator Satveer Chaudhary, DFL-Fridley, has agreed to be the chief sponsor in the Senate and Representative Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, has agreed to be the chief sponsor in the House, the union said.

UFCW Local 789 represents ,more than 7,500 workers in meatpacking, retail and long tem care in Minnesota.

For more information
Visit the union\’s website, www.ufcw789.org

 

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