In a rare instance of unity, meat packing companies, unions and advocates for worker's rights are jointly urging priority status for workers in meat and poultry plants to receive COVID vaccine. Organizations involved include the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)), the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) and the United Food and Commercial Worker's International Union. (UFCWI)
The UFCWI stated, "America's grocery, meat packing and food processing workers have been on the front line of this deadly pandemic since day-one, putting themselves in harm's way to feed our families during the crisis". The statement continued, "as the largest union for America's essential workers in grocery, meat packing and food processing, UFCWI is calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prioritize these brave men and women for early access to COVID-19 vaccine, immediately after healthcare workers".
Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North America Meat Institute commented, "the men and women of the meat and poultry industry help keep America's grocery stores stocked and our farm economy working". She added, "they should be highly prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination following our Nation's brave healthcare workers". NAMI claim that vaccination would be justified on the basis of diversity among the workforce and that vaccination would limit spread of COVID in rural communities.
LULAC stated that meat-packing workers deserved to be protected as soon as possible as a high-risk group.