Union Representing 30,000 Pork Workers Slams Pork Industry Effort to Manipulate Outbreak, Push Americans Out of Jobs, and Further Weaken Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union condemned a new effort by the National Pork Producers Council to exploit the coronavirus outbreak to cut jobs for American workers through a needless expansion of the U.S. guest worker program.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone released the following statement:
“Exploiting the coronavirus outbreak to destroy American jobs and further weaken our economy is a national disgrace. This shameless move to manipulate our country’s guest worker program – all to replace American workers and fatten corporate profits – deserves the strongest oversight by Congress and federal regulators.
“At a time when our economy is spiraling, the last thing Americans need is giant corporations watering down safeguards that protect American workers and our country’s food safety. American jobs in the pork industry are good jobs that have strengthened communities for generations. Our country’s leaders – both Republicans and Democrats – must reject this move and stand up for American workers.”
Background:
The National Pork Producers Council sent a letter to members of Congress and other U.S. Government officials with exaggerated claims about the impact of coronavirus outbreak on the U.S. labor supply for pork plants.
America’s pork workers help to put food on the table for millions of families across the country. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents 30,000 workers in the pork slaughter industry.
UFCW members handle 71 percent of all hogs slaughtered and processed in the United States. These UFCW members are highly skilled professionals who produce the safe, high-quality food Americans count on.
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The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States, representing 1.3 million professionals and their families in grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries. Our members help put food on our nation’s tables and serve customers in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at www.ufcw.org