~ fé ~ esperanza ~ unión ~ justicia ~

CENTRO CAMPESINO INC.________________________________________FE ESPERANZA UNIÓN JUSTICIA
Latino Workers Infected by a Strange Neurological Disease Claim Justice!
Back in 2007 several Latino workers developed a strange neurological disease while working for Quality Pork Processors (QPP) in Austin, Minnesota. Newspapers back then referred to the strange disease as “a medical mystery”. All of these workers worked in the same section of the plant taking the brains out of the pigs’ heads. This strange disease has had tremendous negative health effects on the workers with several of them losing their jobs, and some of them even their family stability.
To this date, these workers continue to ask what went wrong and what caused their disease. Nonetheless, these workers continue to vigorously fight for their workers’ compensation claims and have never lost hope. “We are suffering from this strange disease which has invaded our body” said Felicitas Olivas, one of the affected workers. “This situation has become a trauma not only for us but for our children as well”. “I am very concerned because I see that the company and the doctors do not treat us with respect” said Roberto, another affected worker.
The majority of the workers have complained of how the company ignores their situation and even violates their medical restrictions. Several other workers were simply laid off by Human Resources Director, Dale Wicks. We believe the unbearable situation these workers are facing should not be ignored.
Many of these workers are members of Centro Campesino and they have united to let their voices be heard. Centro Campesino is an advocacy organization whose mission is to improve the lives of migrant workers and serve as strong voice for Latinos in rural Minnesota. Centro exists to protect workers’ rights and empower those that have been affected by this situation.
These workers demand that QPP takes full responsibility of the situation and takes the appropriate steps to assure access to workers’ compensation benefits for all the affected employees, respects all medial restrictions, stops ignoring the workers, and rehires the employees that were laid off.
For all this reasons, and in light of QPP’s decision to ignore the situation, affected workers organized by Centro Campesino will be conducting a peaceful-public demonstration in front of QPP’s facilities located at 711 Hormel Century Parkway in Austin Minnesota, this Saturday November 29th, at 2 p.m. The workers demand justice and most importantly respect and dignity.
Come and support our struggle to find justice for these hardworking members!Also, please call or send a letter to Kelly Wadding, president of QQP and Dale Wicks H.R. director. It’s urgent for QPP to:• Rehire all of those workers that have been discharged by QPP.• Facilitate the processing of workers’ compassion claims• Respect of all medical restrictions• commit to provide respect and dignity for these workers.
711 Hormel Century ParkwayAustin, MN 55912Phone: 1 507 434 63001 800 433 0351
CEO of Hormel Foods Jeffrey M. Ettinger1 Hormel PlaceAustin, MN55912Phone 1507 437 5248
It’s urgent to take action! Please let other people know about this situation!