Created: January 27, 2021 01:38 PM
State lawmakers and meatpacking workers from Worthington, St. Cloud and Austin announced new proposed legislation on Wednesday to improve safety on the job for the workers employed by meatpacking and food processing plants.
The proposal would provide paid leave to all meat and poultry processing workers to recuperate from an illness, injury or to care for an ill family member.
The "Minnesota Safe Workplaces for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers Act" is authored by Rep. Dan Wolgamott (DFL-St. Cloud).
“When COVID-19 first hit Central Minnesota in the spring of 2020, I heard heartbreaking and horrifying stories from my constituents about the unhealthy working conditions at meat processing plants that were jeopardizing the health and financial well being of their families,” Wolgamott said in a statement. “That’s why I’m introducing the Minnesota Safe Workplaces for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers Act, which provides comprehensive workplace health and safety protections, and ensures workers have access to the benefits and training needed to work safely during this pandemic and beyond.”