On June 1, Smithfield Packing livestock worker Emmanuel McKoy died. He was 27 years old. McKoy suffered from type 1 diabetes and related health problems. He did not die while at work.
McKoy worked at Smithfield’s Tar Heel, N.C., plant. It is the largest pork-processing plant in the world. Some 5,500
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In the last seven months, McKoy was hospitalized on two occasions due to diabetes. His supervisor threatened to fire him if he missed any additional time from work.
When McKoy returned to work following hospitalization, Smithfield put him on a job from which he could not be relieved to take his required insulin.
McKoy was a proud supporter of the ongoing “Justice at Smithfield” campaign to organize a union at the plant. He fought the Smithfield bosses for access to clean drinking water, among other things.
The untimely death of McKoy is a reminder of the horrifying working conditions at Smithfield.
In order for Smithfield to maximize profits, production lines are constantly sped up. Having to work so hectically on the “the kill floor,” workers standing shoulder to shoulder often inadvertently stab themselves or their co-workers. Many knife wounds on the assembly line are severe, often piercing hands and arms.
Until March 2007, Smithfield workers did not have regular access to clean drinking water. They also had no access to hot running water for hand washing and rarely had access to soap.
Despite these appalling working conditions, wages at Smithfield are 20 percent lower than the average worker’s wage in the region.
