Union representing BC Poultry processing workers comments on death of poultry processing worker

VANCOUVER, March 25, 2015 /CNW/ - The death of poultry worker after a 13 hour shift highlights the need for better conditions in the food processing industry says the United Food and Commercial Workers, the union representing BC's poultry processing workers.

The union said workers without a union are quite vulnerable because they do not have the same safeguards in place as union operations in the food processing industry such as mandated rest periods, protections against repetitive work and restrictions on overtime.

With many non-union poultry processing operations paying near minimum wage, many workers feel pressured to accept extra hours to meet ends meet.

Quick Facts

- The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1518 represents workers at large scale poultry operations such as Lillydale and Sunrise
- Collective agreements covering poultry processing workers have specific provisions addressing overtime, rest periods and health and safety committees.
- Wage rates at unionized firms are higher than non-union operations
- Example of safety protections found in union collective agreements http://www.ufcw1518.com/sites/all/files/Original%20Sunrise.pdf

Quotes

"Workers without a union are quite vulnerable because they do not have the same safeguards in place as union operations in the food processing industry."
-    Jason Mann, spokesperson for UFCW 1518

SOURCE United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1518

Jason Mann, spokesperson, 604-526-1518, [email protected]