I worked in a pork slaughterhouse for 4 years, back in the 1990s
worked side-by-side with immigrants from all over the world
germany
england
mexico
guatamala
phillipines
iraq
bangladesh
saudi arabia
bosnia
and these were “transient workers”
meaning they were just passing thru
why?
because in a packinghouse, workers are seen as consumables
they know a worker can only do a job for X years before getting “worn out” and needing to be replaced with a new worker
in the 1990s this seemed to be after 4-5 years
Anyone who got 5 years in, had a target on their back.
They would get fired for some bs reason
There was a new starting class of new hires, of about 40 new workers, every single Tuesday, for the entire time i was there
If you wanted a job at the packinghouse, you could start the very next Tuesday, guaranteed
Why is this important?
Why am i writing this post?
Because the packinghouse “HR” human respurces strategy requires a constant supply of new hires every week
and if they can’t get new hires, then the cost of older worker injuries skyrockets
In the old days, the slaughterhouse business model was more like a skilled butcher, where each worker could do all the jobs in a department, and all the workers rotate from job to job
But the bosses eventually noticed it was more profitable to keep 1 worker on the same job, so he gets very specialized, and fast at that job.
Then the boss can crank up the line speed
Line speed was 1200 head/hr in 1990s
Imagine keeping that pace for 5 years
One of ways big slaughter was able to exploit workers, was to keep replacing them before they became problematic
And they could only do this with lax immigrantion policies
Some of our workers were “legal”
Some of our workers were “illegal”
It was an open secret.
Nobody cared,
Because its not like there was a lack of jobs!
Nobody who wanted to work was turned away
Black, white, brown, yellow, sand
So, if you like your meat to be affordable,
Then now is the time to reform meatpacking labor practices.
Make the slaughterhouse rotate workers around, instead of leaving them on the same job for months or years
If you have never worked in a slaughterhouse…
maybe you should go apply…??
Im sure they are hiring!
And you could probably start next Tuesday!
Esp with fresh labor supply in a pinch
Have considered going vegan because I love animals so much and it breaks my heart. I’m a staunch MAGA voter but a softie for animals.
pigs are as intelligent as dogs
Beef feeds the soul.
Pork feeds the stomach.
Chicken feeds the masses.
Meat is biblical, is about the best food for your body, and the best protein you can give your body.
I love animals, and I have chickens for eggs, I let them die of old age, but this is because I can afford to. I keep a few goats for landscaping, keeping an acre clear, and because of these animals, I have great fertilizer and compost. Again, I can afford to shelter and care for these animals because I can afford to. If you shop carefully, there is animal protein that you can source from local farms, or in stores that carry labels that the animals were raised humanely. That is what I do. I am of the genetic makeup of a long ancestory of meat eaters, and fish eaters. I get my fish from Fulton Fish Market, wild caught, flash frozen at the dock or on the boat. You can support small farmers, and also avoid the cruelty and unwholesomeness of the factory farm. It costs more, but in my opinion, if you are buying cheap food so you can make your car payments, you have your priorities messed up. I drive an older car, but my groceries and food cost more because we choose that.