Following investigations by the Department of Labor and a court order restraining Packer Sanitation Services (PSS) for employing under-aged workers, JBS-USA has cancelled their contract with respect to the Worthington MN pork plant. The Department of Labor identified 19 minors under the age of 18 working for Packers Sanitation Services at various plants. These workers ranged in age from 14- through 17-years, below the statutory 18-year limit to work night shifts cleaning plants. Packers Sanitation Services employs more than 15,000, predominantly in the meat industry. In accordance with the court order, Packers Sanitation Services is required to hire a third-party consultant to ensure compliance with labor laws and will review and upgrade company policies and procedures. The company has agreed to terminate management responsible for violations in the event of future employment of minors
Although the company promised not to take retaliatory action against employees, PSS will lay off 121 workers following the cancellation of the contract effective January 21st. JBS-USA will not be a party to civil enforcement action by the Department of Labor, since the consent order only applies to Packers Sanitation Services.
In response to the court order, Packers Sanitation Services stated, “We have been crystal clear from the start. We have a zero-tolerance policy against employing anyone under the age of 18 and fully share the Department of Labor objective of ensuring it is followed to the letter at all local plants.” Reminiscent of Captain Renault in Casablanca, JBS managers in the plants concerned were “shocked, shocked” to learn that underage workers were cleaning their plants.