Chapter 8

Why don't more workers complain about safety conditions in the plants?
Workers are unlikely to complain about safety conditions as most of them can be fired without any reason; and, since they earn far more at a slaughterhouse than they would with viable alternatives, they need their job in order to support their family. Workers who keep quiet about their injuries are usually given an easier job temporarily, or, if the injury is more serious, are given vacation days to heal. On the other hand, if they were to report it, their employer would punish them in whatever way possible and use them as an example to others so as to prevent others from reporting their injuries.

What role do supervisors play in the reporting of workplace injuries in meat processing plants?
Because supervisors are rewarded through annual bonuses when the number of reported injuries is low, supervisors discourage injured workers from going to a doctor, or they direct them to a doctor who lies and tells them the injury is not serious. To discourage them, supervisors will move the worker to a less desirable job. In contrast, a worker with a minor injury may be moved to a more desirable position temporarily or given vacation days if suffering a serious injury. For example, Kevin Wilson was directed by the company's nurse to a doctor who told him the injury was minor and only necessitated that he do light work; but when Wilson sought a second opinion, he was told he had a disk injury that required him to take time off work. When OSHA was restricted to inspecting processing plants whose injury logs had injury rates above average, and because injury logs are controlled by the company, supervisors often falsify injury logs. At one beef plant in Nebraska, the plant kept two injury logs: one which legitimately reported injuries and another that had reported far less injuries and was given to OSHA workers.

From a worker's point of view, what are some of the problems with Colorado's workers' compensation law?
Colorado's workers' compensation law allows employers to choose the doctor that reports on the severity of the injuries suffered by the worker. Additionally, employers are able to delay payments; and when injuries are not visible, meatpacking companies often litigate to lengthen the process of obtaining workers' comp. As employers delay, the worker is responsible for paying medical fees and obtaining money for living costs. This delay in time serves to discourage other injured workers. The worker is often left with little money after claiming workers' comp, and the injuries suffered negatively impact his or her ability to earn a living.