{"id":1899,"date":"2020-04-19T14:27:37","date_gmt":"2020-04-19T19:27:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ufcw663.org\/blog\/?p=1899"},"modified":"2020-04-19T14:27:38","modified_gmt":"2020-04-19T19:27:38","slug":"ufcw-and-jbs-announce-increased-pay-and-enhanced-protective-equipment-for-meatpacking-workers-on-frontlines-of-coronavirus-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ufcw663.org\/blog\/2020\/04\/19\/ufcw-and-jbs-announce-increased-pay-and-enhanced-protective-equipment-for-meatpacking-workers-on-frontlines-of-coronavirus-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"UFCW and JBS Announce Increased Pay and Enhanced Protective Equipment for Meatpacking Workers on Frontlines of Coronavirus Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

April 19, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UFCW\nand JBS Announce Increased Pay and Enhanced Protective Equipment for\nMeatpacking Workers on Frontlines of Coronavirus Pandemic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

America\u2019s\nLargest Food and Retail Union Applauds Action by JBS, Largest U.S. Beef and\nPork Processor, to Strengthen Worker Support and Protections <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WASHINGTON, DC\u202f\u2013 <\/strong>Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers\n(UFCW) International Union<\/strong><\/a>,which\nrepresents more than 250,000 meatpacking and food processing workers all across\nthe country, announced an agreement with JBS \u2014 the leading processor of beef\nand pork in the United States \u2014 to increase wages for workers by $4 per hour\nand further strengthen safety measures in these plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agreement between the UFCW and JBS is the union\u2019s latest\naction to protect workers and strengthen our nation\u2019s food supply during the\ncoronavirus pandemic. This follows UFCW\u2019s recent announcement of increased pay and\nprotections<\/a> for workers across these industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UFCW International President Marc Perrone<\/strong> released\nthe following statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the face of this pandemic, the safety of\nJBS workers and all our meatpacking members is paramount. The UFCW has worked\nthroughout this national health crisis to ensure that our union members are\nprotected and millions of Americans continue to have access to the food they\nneed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe applaud JBS and our UFCW Locals for coming\nto an agreement that recognizes the hard work and sacrifices of these brave men\nand women by giving them an additional $4 an hour and, more importantly, access\nto the personal protection equipment like masks, gloves, and face shields that\nthey need to do their jobs safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe hope JBS\u2019s leadership sends a message to\nall other companies – union and non-union. Now, more than ever, it is critical\nthat not only is our food supply protected, but that food processing and\nmeatpacking workers are protected as they perform such an essential role during\nthis health crisis.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of this new agreement, JBS announced the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n