USDA suspended two of its workers at Chino slaughter plant, union leader says (beef recall)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.pe.com/localnews/sbcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_D_suspend01.3dcc3dc.html

February 29, 2008

By JOSE ARBALLO JR.
The Press-Enterprise

Special Section: Beef Recall

At least two U.S. Department of Agriculture employees involved in the operations of a Chino slaughterhouse under federal investigation have been suspended, said the president of a union that represents federal meat inspectors.

Stan Painter, chairman for National Joint Council of Food Inspection Locals, said the federal agency confirmed Friday that it had placed one inspector and one veterinarian on paid administrative leave while it investigates. He said officials declined to identify the workers or to give any information about what led to the suspensions.

"All they would say is that they had received information that warranted the action," Painter said.

Painter said local union representatives told him a third person was also suspended, but he has been unable to confirm it.

Laura Reiser, a spokeswoman for the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service, declined to comment on the reported suspensions, citing the ongoing investigation and that such actions are personnel matters.

The action is the latest fallout from a massive beef recall surrounding the operation of Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. The firm is the subject of a recall prompted by video shot by an undercover employee of the Humane Society of the United States who was working at the slaughterhouse.

FULL story at link.

[flvegan]

1. If the suspension for the veterinarian is well founded

then yank his/her license to practice. Fuck 'em. Like a doctor allowing child abuse.

[Omaha Steve]

2. I watched the video too

AGREED! Nobody should support labor with blinders on.

[flvegan]

3. Hey, Steve, I can't think of anyone better to ask

is there a meatpackers/slaughterhouse workers union?

[Omaha Steve]

4. Several

UFCW has the most. There are a few others under several flags. Farmland won a model contract last fall. I was a paid picket for the UFCW in early 80's for the Hinky Dinky strike. I was awaiting my appeal to the NLRB on labor charges with the GAU.