Prince George's County Council Stands Firm for Smithfield Workers

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
The struggle for justice by Smithfield Packing workers is having an effect. The Virginia-based meatpacking giant sent a PR rep out to the Prince George’s County Council this week to complain about the Council’s resolution of support for workers. The resolution – passed last November (Prince George’s County Council Supports Smithfield Workers 12/3/08 UC) – pledged Council support for Smithfield workers against the meatpacker’s campaign of “intimidation, fear and violence” as the workers have battled to win a union. “Your resolution made it sound like we were harming people, mistreating people and that is not the truth,” complained Smithfield flack Jim Patterson. “Smithfield’s whining would be laughable if their violations of workers’ rights weren’t so egregious,” said Metro Council President Jos Williams. “We heartily commend the Prince George’s County Council for taking a firm and unequivocal stand on the side of the long-suffering Smithfield workers.” The Justice at Smithfield campaign has documented Smithfield’s poverty wages, brutal working conditions and the crippling injuries suffered by 5,500 workers in the Tar Heel, North Carolina hog processing plant. “Cited by Human Rights Watch for violating international human rights standards, Smithfield Packing has created an environment of intimidation, racial tension, and sometimes violence for workers who want a voice on the job,” according to the Campaign. While PG County Council members thanked Smithfield for coming in, they declined to take any further action.