I think I share in everyone’s shock to hear about the poor conditions in the Tyson meat factory. It’s completely appauling to know this still exists nearly a century after “The Jungle” was written. It is, however, enlightening to see how their unionizing efforts have come. At least workers nowadays have the opportunity to voice their opinions and discontent about the conditions and the treatment in the workplace. This is ideal for a democratic society. That being said, I believe we still have a long way to go.
Kelsey Boudin — J/MC Class of 2011
March 26, 2009 at 4:34 pm |
I agree with Kelsey, it’s shocking to hear what goes on in meat packing industries in the United States. The workers are often immigrants and are treated very poorly. In my freshmen year, I read Fast Food Nation and it made me feel sick to my stomach. It’s hard to believe that people are being treated like objects and dehumanized on a daily basis. I think that managers and higher-ups at factories such as Tyson forget that the workers are in fact people, regardless, of their descent.
It some parts of the U.S the meatpacking factories may have been reworked to accomodate and fix the worker problems, but I’m sure not all have. It is much like the livestock aspect of meatpacking factories. The animals are treated very poorly, but all that is portrayed is the good aspects, not the bad.
The meatpacking industry has a long long way to go before all the problems are corrected.
I feel that many immigrants are very strong to put up with such crap and in the end it may all make them stronger as a person.