MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, UFCW Locals 1189, 1155 and 663, which represent Minnesota workers in meat and poultry slaughter and processing and other essential industries, announced their support for the Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act and strongly urged Minnesota’s U.S. Senators to co-sponsor legislation and fight for the provisions of this worker safety bill to be included the Farm Bill.
The bill, which was introduced by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (N.J.) and Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), would provide essential protections to meat and poultry slaughter and processing workers across the country by strengthening worker safety provisions, increasing transparency, and supporting workers in an industry that continues to feel strains resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
UFCW Local 1189, Local 1155, and Local 663 said in a joint statement:
“Meat and poultry slaughter and processing workers here in Minnesota and around the country have endured one of the most challenging times in our history, risking their health every single day as essential workers to ensure American families were able to put food on the table. While our union fought for and won important safety measures throughout the pandemic, it is critical that Congress pass The Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act to enshrine those safety protections for meatpacking workers into federal law. Together, our unions urge Senators Klobuchar and Smith to cosponsor the Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act and fight for the provisions to be included in the upcoming Farm Bill.”
“By fighting for the safety measures we need and that make a real difference in our plants, the UFCW sets the industry standard for workplace safety. This bill will be so important in helping enshrine safety standards in law for all meat and poultry workers – both union and non-union alike and allow us to go to work with the knowledge that safety is a priority,” said Phimpha Keomany, Local 663 Member.
“As a UFCW member with a long career in the meatpacking industry, it’s important to say that safety is everything. Passing this bill and securing these safety measures across the nation means peace of mind not just for me but my family as well,” said Carolina Peña De Louxz, Local 1189 Member.
“I believe every essential worker should know they are safe and protected on the job, union or not. I am glad our union is doing its part to uplift all workers with this legislation and I’m hopeful that my senators will do the same by supporting this bill,” said Tim Nelson, Local 1155 Member.
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UFCW Locals 1189. 1155 and 663 are part of UFCW International, the largest private sector union in the United States. UFCW International represents 1.3 million professionals and their families in healthcare, grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops, and other industries. Our members serve our communities in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at ufcw.org.
