North Carolina Justice Center Southern Poverty Law Center

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North Carolina Justice Center Southern Poverty Law Center Western North Carolina Workers’ Center

North Carolina Justice Center Southern Poverty Law Center Western North Carolina Workers’ Center

GEOGRAPHY § Poultry processing is concentrated in the Deep INDUSTRY BACKGRO UND South §

GEOGRAPHY § Poultry processing is concentrated in the Deep INDUSTRY BACKGRO UND South § Little state-level regulation § Low rates of unionization § Rural locations with limited job opportunities See https: //www. nationalchickencouncil. org/about-theindustry/statistics/broiler-chicken-industry-key-facts/

DEMOGRAPHICS § Historically African American workforce § Now, due to deliberate recruitment efforts, there

DEMOGRAPHICS § Historically African American workforce § Now, due to deliberate recruitment efforts, there is a large immigrant workforce as well. INDUSTRY BACKGROU ND § Other vulnerable populations, including incarcerated people and children § Economic insecurity, language barriers, social isolation, and immigration status make it difficult for workers to speak out about workplace safety and health. See https: //www. washingtonpost. com/outlook/2019/08/09/poultryindustry-recruited-them-now-ice-raids-are-devastating-theircommunities/

§ Injury rates 60% higher than the national average § High rates of musculoskeletal

§ Injury rates 60% higher than the national average § High rates of musculoskeletal disorders, especially carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis § Underreporting of injuries References: § https: //www. nelp. org/news-releases/ignoring-cdc-guidance-usda-allows-15 -poultry-plants-raise-line-speeds-putting- workers-greater-risk-covid-injury/ § https: //pubmed. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/28820861/ § https: //www. cdc. gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2014 -0040 -3232. pdf § https: //www. cdc. gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2012 -0125 -3204. pdf § https: //www. cdc. gov/niosh/topics/poultry/pdfs/letterapril 72014. pdf

§ Plant conditions increase the risk of infection: close physical proximity, cold, humidity, infrequent

§ Plant conditions increase the risk of infection: close physical proximity, cold, humidity, infrequent breaks, lack of PPE § Incentives for workers to report to work even if they are sick or have been exposed § Poultry companies have not implemented social distancing under current line speeds § Plants that received line speed waivers had more outbreaks than the industry in general. References: § https: //www. ewg. org/news-and-analysis/2020/05/ewg-map-countiesmeatpacking-plants-report-twice-national-average-rate § https: //www. propublica. org/article/emails-reveal-chaos-as-meatpacking -companies-fought-health-agencies-over-covid-19 -outbreaks-in-theirplants § https: //thefern. org/ag_insider/at-poultry-plants-allowed-to-run-faster- processing-lines-a-greater-risk-of-covid-19/

§ Rapid line speeds make it difficult for workers to take breaks to use

§ Rapid line speeds make it difficult for workers to take breaks to use the restroom. § Workers restrict food and water intake, and some wear diapers. § Especially difficult for workers who need to manage menstruation and pregnancy, and for workers with disabilities. BATHRO OM ACCESS

MAJOR RULE DESIGNATI ON § Elastic market § National Chicken Council’s petition made a

MAJOR RULE DESIGNATI ON § Elastic market § National Chicken Council’s petition made a clear connection between increased line speed and increased exports (https: //www. fsis. usda. gov/wps/wcm/connect /7734 f 5 cf-05 d 9 -4 f 89 -a 7 eb-6 d 85037 ad 2 a 7/17 -05 -Petition-National-Chicken-Council 09012017. pdf? MOD=AJPERES)