Minnesotans Rally in Support of Pilgrim’s Pride Workers
in Cold Spring, Minnesota
Minnesotans from several cities will gather on May 11th at 4:00 pm at Pilgrim’s Pride Processing Plant, 851 Sauk River Rd, Cold Spring, MN 56320
Cold Spring, MN, Monday May 11, 2020
We are reaching out for help in bringing to light the horrible situation that is unfolding within our food processing plants nationwide. At Pilgrim’s Pride in Cold Spring, Minnesota, cases of Covid-19 amongst the workers have shot up dramatically, and Stearns County is now a hotspot with over 1,400 cases. Workers are being subjected to labor in highly congested and unsafe conditions. Standards for providing distancing between workers to avoid transmission of the virus and proper PPE are not being provided in an effective manner or at all, proper cleaning and sanitary methods are being neglected and there is concern that the end meat products aren’t safe for consumers.
We are organizing a socially distanced car vigil demonstration with Latino, Somali workers & allies to demand the following:
- Pilgrim’s Pride should strictly follow State of Minnesota COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines for the Meatpacking Industry.
- Close plant for two weeks and perform thorough and deep cleaning as stated in the COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines for Meatpacking Industry and CDC guidelines.
- Mass testing for all plant workers should be instituted by Pilgrim’s Pride. All workers should be paid while they are out of work. Families of those workers who test positive should be tested as well.
Your engagement is needed. It is critical for workers, their families, and the surrounding community to raise awareness. The public and elected officials need to understand the implications of this situation. Pressure and persuasion are essential to make the owner/operators at Pilgrim’s Pride rectify the unsafe and unhealthy environment that exists in their plant.
Event Organized by GREATER MINNESOTA WORKER CENTER, ASAMBLEA DE DERECHOS CIVILES, RESIDENTS UNITED and allies.