CyberTorah
CyberTorah: Special Edition - Agriprocessors
August 27, 2008
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At the beginning of the summer, disturbing allegations about worker abuse, sexual harrassment, and dangerous conditions came to light against the Agriprocessors or Rubashkin Meats in Postville, Iowa. One of the major providers of Kosher meat in this country, Agriprocessors was the subject of the largest raid on undocumented workers ever. As a result of that raid, a number of state and federal investigations into safety and labor violations were initiated. Since those events several things have happened.
- A group from the Rabbinical Assembly included Rabbi Eilberg went to Postville. They spoke with numerous former and current employees as well as their families. The testimony they heard was disturbing and problematic. They heard about sexual harrassment, safety violations, and reguarly dangerous conditions. They also heard of unfair labor practices, including charging employees for their safety gear.
- OSHA has filed numerous charges against Rubashkin. In addition, they are now being charged for a number of child labor violations as well.
- Rubashkin has promised to hire a new person to clean up their operation and to get rid of these illegal and dangerous practices. There has also been pressure on them from the Union of Orthodox Rabbis to fire Sholom Rubashkin as CEO and hire someone new. Neither of these steps have yet taken place, though both may occur at any moment.
- A progressive Orthodox group first called for a boycott and then lifted that boycott a couple of weeks ago. They felt that Rubashkin Meats promises indicated good will on the part of the company and a true desire to fix the situation. Given the natural reluctance of Jews to boycott fellow Jews, they felt better to show caution and trust that Agriprocessors will indeed implement these changes.
- A group of Rabbinical Council (An Orthodox Group) Rabbis went to Postville at Agriprocessors expense. They expressed their satisifcation that the plant appeared both kosher and much safer than they had expected. They met with a few current employees at the Plant but did not meet with worker representatives outside the plant or with those making the safety complaints.
That same day (yesterday) an op-ed appeared in the New York Times from another Orthodox Rabbi expressing his continued concern about the facility and the appropriateness of boycotting even Jewish business when their business practices are unethical.
As a result, at this point, I continue to have concerns about Rubashkin meats. I agree with those who express concern about boycotting Jewish businesses without significant proof. Having said that, there is now an ongoing concern that for me raises questions about the ethical status of Rubashkin meats. I don't know what is happening there, but at the very least there is a significant cause for concern, and at worst they have been truly abhorent in their practices. For the moment, I intend to continue to refrain from Rubashkin products, continue to encourage local markets to look for other suppliers, and continue to follow this story actively. As Rubashkin begins to make good on their word to effect these safety changes, I will change my buying habits. But at this point I both want to keep the pressure on them and for my own ethical concerns I prefer to eat meat from a different source.
I will keep you posted if and when more information becomes available.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David Booth
Congregation Kol Emeth