Debbie Schlussel: Meat Plant Treats Illegal Aliens Better Than Black Americans
Some Black workers at Smithfield Foods hog-slaughtering plant in Tar Heel, North Carolina skipped the first shift, Monday, in protest of the company's refusal to give them a paid day off for Martin Luther King, Jr Day.
At first blush, you might say they were unjustified since most companies do not give that day off to workers, nor do they on other national holidays, like Veterans Day, Presidents Day, etc.
But a closer look shows they may have been justified in their protest. I did a little research. And it appears that Smithfield treats its illegal alien workers better than these workers who are American citizens.
That same Smithfield plant in Tar Heel knowingly employs many illegal alien workers. Remember "A Day Without An Immigrant" in May, when illegal aliens walked off the job and spent the day protesting?
Smithfield gave the illegal aliens employed at all of its plants nationwide the day off and encouraged and assisted its
employees to write their senators and representatives in Congress to ask them to pass just legislation that includes protections for legal immigrants and their employers, provides a path to citizenship for those who are willing to work, and does not separate family members. We believe this is the most effective action our employees can take to persuade Congress to make the right choices.
No such events for Black employees who are U.S. citizens. So, who can blame them for being upset?
Posted by Debbie on January 17, 2007 03:14 PM to Debbie Schlussel