Meatpacking companies used the COVID-19 pandemic – and the threat of shortages – as cover to jack up prices & endanger workers while they exported record amounts of pork & other meat products abroad. @SenBooker & I are opening an investigation. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/business/warren-booker-china-meat.html
At least 27,000 meatpacking workers have contracted COVID-19 & over 90 have died. But plants not only failed to implement worker protections as people got sick – they fought for an executive order to stay open & waivers to put more workers on the line.
I’m fighting alongside @RepRoKhanna for an Essential Workers Bill of Rights to protect meatpacking workers. And we’re working with @SenBooker on the Farm System Reform Act to phase out giant factory farms that have crushed competition & hurt farmers, consumers, & workers.