JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

07/03/08 02:35 AM

I’m seventeen years old and a proud member of BBYO.
To Moses: You may have heard Rosalind’s comment before but clearly you weren’t truly listening as the issues she addresses haven’t been resolved. Maybe you should read it again.

Yes, by boycotting the company’s meat this summer, BBYO is only scratching the surface of a much larger problem. But as the biggest Jewish Youth movement in the world, our scratching will undoubtedly leave a mark and a positive one at that.
No matter what is said in this blog, I assure you that I will be using my power as president of the Los Angeles area to educate fellow members on this issue in terms of how it relates to worker’s rights, immigration reform, and Jewish values. If I have learned anything from BBYO, it’s that it is the duty of each individual to strengthen their Jewish community. Both the aruments supporting Agriprocessor’s behavior and the employers’ compassion for the workers are just plain weak and therefore, I see BBYO’s action as a responsiblity that other’s need to recognize as well.

07/03/08 11:00 AM

To Morgan:
Just two question
1.Did you write it your self and nobody helped you?
2. Do you keep kosher?

07/03/08 08:01 PM

I wrote it all on my own. Why are you questioning that?

And I don’t keep kosher but I am a vegetarian.

07/04/08 03:51 PM

Please refer to my jun-30 comment

07/04/08 07:28 PM

Most of these posters are looking at this the wrong way.

There is never an excuse for wrongdoing, yet the plain truth is that it is more than hard, nearing impossible, to get non immigrants to work at places like this. Even Heineman has illegals - probably not as much.

It’s a slaughterhouse. There is blood, there is sinew, bones, and organs; there are animals sensing death and frightened. It’s everything you’d expect from a the worst slasher films. It’s not for the faint of heart and it is certainly not for the average latte sipping American.

Yes, this was the biggest raid - but not the biggest secret. Virtually the entire farming and agricultural industry is engined by immigrants, many illegal. The hidden secret here is that it’s done. Ask the folks at HIAS - the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, and they’ll tell you that they feel for the employers here. They know first hand what is happening all over the country.

One issue may be that Agriprocessors needs to make serious changes to get up to full speed and compliance, but the real issue here is the United States’ immigration policy. It needs fixing and fixing fast. The lesson of Agriprocessors is that this is a problem looming large and will only get worse.

let Agriprocessors fix up and get the meat back on your plates. Chicken is now $7.49/lb - bizarre. People can’t afford that. Meat is even more now.

Let’s focus on the real problem - fixing the U.S. immigration policy. Instead of boycotting the meat company, make an even stronger effort to patronize shops with illegals - show our legislators that this is an issue that they need to take seriously and take it seriously now!

07/05/08 09:14 PM

I agree, we need to build a real wall on the border with Mexico, as we need to stop the illigal emigration and increase security!

07/07/08 02:27 PM

What people need to focus on is that this debate is not about the use of undocumented workers but the fact that the agriprocessors mistreated their workers.

Many people at the plant were injured everyday while being paid below minimum wage, working long hours, and receiving no benefits.

The discussion is not about the workers citizenship or the boarder, its about whether the workers should be treated as badly as they are being treated.

07/08/08 01:23 PM

To Zack .
Zack, if you really want to change something, you should start with you! For example, start boycotting your local grocery or restaurant. But you will never do it, since it will cost you extra buck and cause a lot of incontinence. But to boycott Kosher meat packer (even before all the facts came true and investigation is pending) is easy, you do not keep kosher anyway! Who are you trying to fool?

07/08/08 03:41 PM

What do any of your points have to do with how the owners treat their workers?
If i found out that any of the local businesses near me had workers losing hands and being injured all the time and being overworked and paid under minimum wage i would not shop there. I do not care if it is a kosher place or not.
Apparently you do not care about human life because many workers from the plant have come out talking about the mistreatment by the owners of the plant.  they have been fined for many violations in the past. Most of the people who have posted understand the facts.

Do a mitzvah and care about people other than yourself

07/08/08 04:01 PM

Here is a crucial point. 

“But federal records indicate the company [Agri] chose not to participate in the government’s voluntary program that enables employers to quickly verify the Social Security numbers of job applicants.”

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080706/NEWS/807060335

Are all the people boycotting Agri participate in the “government’s voluntary program that enables employers to quickly verify the Social Security numbers of job applicants”?

Do the BBYO USA offices and camps participate in this program?