Reps. García and Schakowsky Lead Illinois Members in Demanding OSHA Enact Stronger Protections for Meat Packing Workers
Statement
Representatives Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) sent a letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today with Members of the Illinois Congressional delegation calling on the agency to fulfill its mission and mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in meatpacking plants. In light of President Trump's executive order to reopen meat and poultry processing plants in the midst of the global pandemic, the letter calls on the agency to enforce stronger protections for workers.
"All essential workers must be provided the protections they need to do their jobs safely. Despite dozens of deaths throughout Illinois and Chicago, the Trump Administration plans to force workers back to work, endangering their lives in meatpacking industry plants that continue to operate without sufficient safety protocols. It is sickening to deem working people essential, yet treat them as if they were expendable," said Congressman García. "OSHA must execute its duty and combat this virus by issuing mandatory standards requiring paid time off, testing, protective equipment, hazard pay and a safe work environment."
"The President is putting meat industry workers in Illinois and across the country at extreme risk, without offering any tests, PPE, or requiring the companies to protect them from getting sick. These workers are predominantly people of color who are already dying from COVID-19 at disproportionately high rates, and I am angry that they have to choose between risking their lives and their livelihood," said Congresswoman Schakowsky. "The President isn't concerned about anything more than the bottom line of the meat industry."
According to the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting, as of May 7, there have been at least 10,800 reported positive cases tied to meatpacking facilities in at least 170 plants in 29 states, and at least 49 reported worker deaths at 27 plants in 18 states. At least four plants in Illinois (Aurora, Monmouth, St. Charles and Rochelle) have closed temporarily. A fifth plant in Rantoul has had at least 52 confirmed COVID cases as of May 7th but has not closed.
Source