Update on major Smithfield Foods work protest

As Facing South reported earlier, today over 500 workers spontaneously walked off their jobs at Smithfield Foods, to protest "abuse and intimidation" after the company retaliated against workers who had spoken out about conditions at Smithfield.

The workers took the action on their own, but the United Food and Commercial Workers -- of which many workers are members -- is supporting the workers. They are also encouraging the public to contact Smithfield about their checkered history of worker's rights violations by calling 757-365-3000 or 888-366-6767 or via email.

The picture above is of Abel Cervantes, a worker at the Smithfield pork plant in Tarheel, North Carolina, who was cut by a knife at work. The injury was so serious that, at 20 years old, he can no longer use his hand and work. As we revealed in a special Facing South report, Smithfield routinely refuses to provide compensation to workers injured on the job. Photo by David Bacon.