The Fight for Rights at Smithfield

Smithfield VA workers face oppressive conditions but are fighting back. When Smithfield Foods opened its million square foot facility in Tar Heel, N.C., in 1992, it became the largest pork processing plant in the world. Today the plant employs over 5,000 workers and slaughters up to 34,000 hogs a day. Wages currently start at $8.10 per hour. Workers are not eligible for health insurance for at least 6 months, and then only at a high cost. The work is dangerous and fast. Workers face intimidation from both management and the company's private police force when they attempt to band together to defend their rights on the job.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• ATU
• 689
• transit
• union
• UFCW
• Smithfield
• VA
• organize
• labor
• solidarity
• grassroots
• outreach