Blackstone’s private equity fund owns Packer Sanitation Services, Inc. (PSSI), which earlier this year was found to have violated child labor laws at 13 meat processing plants in eight states. found.
In some cases, child labor was employed in food safety tasks such as cleaning hazardous equipment. Blackstone’s PSSI has paid fines totaling $1.5 million for providing child labor for critical food safety jobs at 13 meat plants.
But in cleaning up the scandal, the PSSI gets help from an unlikely source.
of United Nations Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)represents 1.3 million food industry workers in North America, but was not involved in the PSSI Child Labor Program. But unions appear willing to help PSSI clean up the scandal.
And the giant union has also helped partner with JBS, the world’s largest protein producer, to provide cleaning contracts.
“UFCW is proud to announce that it has reached an agreement with PSSI to provide union representation at PSSI locations across the country,” said union international president Marc Perrone. We believe good and strong trade union contracts are essential to protect all meat packing and food processing workers.
“Of course, the choice to unionize was with PSSI’s hardworking employees, and since entering into this agreement, two PSSI locations in Liberal, Kansas and Mason City, Iowa have been part of our union family. decided to participate in
“Meat-packing and food-processing workers risked their lives to make sure food got to their families’ tables in the midst of the pandemic. “We are committed and deserve it, and with this agreement, we are one step closer to giving UFCW members the contractual protections they enjoy across the meat processing industry.”
UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States. UFCW International represents his 1.3 million professionals and their families in the medical, grocery, meat processing, food processing, retail and other industries.
Earlier, it was announced that JBS USA and the Union of Food and Commercial Workers International (UFCW) had become partners in JBS Sanitation. JBS Sanitation is a full-service food safety and food plant sanitation company that provides in-house sanitary services to JBS USA and Pilgrims. Facility.
JBS has transitioned 10 facilities to JBS Sanitation and will transition additional facilities to the new company should third-party service providers fail to meet JBS USA audit and compliance standards.
JBS claims it has terminated contracts with third-party sanitary provider PSSI at a number of facilities, including those named in the Department of Labor complaint. These locations include Grand Island, Nebraska. Worthington, Minnesota.and Greeley, Colorado
“In light of the troubling allegations that have arisen in the food safety sector, JBS USA has made the decision to create a company that can provide the highest levels of food safety and quality assurance, while adopting the same high standards of compliance and employment. It’s the validation we adhere to when hiring JBS USA employees,” said Wesley Batista Filho, Chief Executive Officer of JBS.
“The revelations of child labor among meat processing plant subcontractors are totally unacceptable and it is heartening to see JBS USA moving aggressively to address this dire situation,” said UFCW International President. Marc Perrone said. “We firmly believe that strong union contracts are the solution to all worker exploitation in our industry and are pleased to partner with JBS USA on internal hygiene at many of our facilities across the country. sanitation workers will continue to receive the same high wages, benefits and protections as other members at these facilities.We will ensure a safe food supply and a safe working environment for our members. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with JBS USA to this end.”
JBS-UFCW’s new business promises to be different with an internal whistleblowing hotline that allows employees to confidentially report suspicious activity related to the presence of minors. The company also allows local school districts access to the JBS Ethics Line for confidential reporting of suspected child labor incidents.
Technical services at the new JBS Sanitation are led by Alfred “Al” Almanza, Head of Food Safety and Quality Assurance at JBS Global.
Prior to joining JBS in 2017, Almanza spent nearly 40 years at the USDA, including 10 years as Director of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and as Deputy Undersecretary for Food Safety during the Obama administration. including the work of
“Hygiene is a key factor in producing safe, affordable and healthy food,” says Almanza. “Doing it safely requires special expertise and extensive training. focus.”
The bottom line is that the food industry’s largest union has twice received help from a company owned by the world’s largest capitalist for repairs after embarrassing scandals.
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