Something Fowl
August 9, 2009
I just finished reading a disturbing piece on people who have been forced to take “less than desirable” jobs (dirty jobs that someone has to do), after having lost their cushy jobs (glamorous jobs that everyone wishes they could get) because of the economy. One lady lost her 14.00/hour that comfortably supported her and her “boyfriend” and she has now landed a job at a Tyson Foods Inc. poultry plant. That’s not what disturbed me however.
Her job at the plant is on the “re-processing line.” The re-processing line is where “damaged” chickens are sent by Agriculture Department inspectors. Damaged chickens are those that have “bruises or sores on their carcasses”. The plant is “wet and noisy” and apparently a dangerous place to work. It’s not that the woman is a chicken … but she is worried about being injured when workers nearby use their knives to cut the carcasses in a hurry. She fears “being sliced during a moment of distraction”.
Reprocessed chicken carcasses … it’s disheartening to think of it. I always thought that my chicken breasts were from perfect chickens, without blemish and without spot. Now I will never look at a chicken leg the same way … I’ll be looking for bruises and sores that the government inspectors missed during a moment of distraction while someone was being sliced … other than a chicken.
It’s tough being a chicken … they are the only animals that are commonly eaten at both ends of their life cycle … before they are born and after they are dead. And everytime we buy eggs or packaged carcasses we are engaged in the cash for cluckers program.
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Ed Nicholson
August 10, 2009 at 8:30 pmTim
I work for Tyson.
First off, the AP article on people taking “less than desirable jobs” was a bit sensational. Had the reporter done some homework on the company’s safety program, he would have discovered that there’s a great amount of resources applied to worker safety. It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s good business. Tyson is self-insured, and worker’s comp costs from injuries about which the woman expressed fear can be significant. I’ve worked for Tyson for 14 years. With approximately 80,000 manufacturing workers in the U.S.–about 40K in poultry processing–I’ve never heard of someone being unintentionally cut by their “neighbor’s” knife.
On the matter of reprocessing: If a bird gets a bruise or if a bone is broken, doesn’t it make more sense to cut it off and use the part that’s perfectly good, rather than throwing the whole thing away? It is something the company takes measures to avoid–there’s an obvious cost there, too, with the wasted part, and having to manage that process. But it does happen, whether you’re buying your chicken from a commercial producer, or a local farmer (who might not be so diligent, since he doesn’t have a brand to protect).
Thanks for allowing me to respond.
Tim
August 10, 2009 at 8:47 pmThanks for your input Ed! I actually like chicken and we eat a lot of it prepared many different ways. My daughter makes a chicken bruschetta dish that is absolutely a fav! I appreciate your side of the “process” (pun intended) 🙂 and will continue to eat chicken! Being that they are self insured, I wonder where Tyson stands in regard to the debate over healthcare in this country?
Ed Nicholson
August 10, 2009 at 10:47 pmWe’ve been watching the debate with interest, but have not taken an active position. We do have a pretty good healthcare plan, which all Tyson employees have (unless they wish to be covered under a spouse’s plan). I think the thing our GR people will be looking for in whatever plan finally reaches the voting stage will be our ability to continue offering affordable, quality coverage to all employees.
[…] Something Fowl « Jeske's LawThe re-processing line is where “damaged” chickens are sent by Agriculture Department inspectors. Damaged chickens are those that have “bruises or sores on their carcasses”. The plant is “wet and noisy” and apparently a dangerous place … […]