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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 26, 2021 09:15 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Gerald J. Mullery |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Meatpacking and Food Processing Protection Act |
| Food processing and meatpacking is one of the largest and most essential industries in Pennsylvania. Current federal regulations lack adequate protections to ensure that the safety of this vital workforce is prioritized. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the issues that have plagued this dangerous industry for decades. Because of the grueling conditions and hazardous structures, standard pandemic protocols do not address the extenuating circumstances present in these worksites. We need to guarantee basic protections and ensure the stability of these essential workers. To do so, I plan to introduce legislation to require meatpacking and food processing employers to provide adequate training, paid sick time, and access to health care in the event of a workplace injury. This bill will also create workplace health and safety committees at each facility and create industry-specific pandemic protocols for future public health emergencies. Like all workers, these workers deserve basic job protections. Without them, our food supply would plummet and Pennsylvania’s economy would suffer. Please co-sponsor this critical legislation to protect this workforce and improve consumer safety. This is a companion bill to Senator Tartaglione and Senator Schwank’s Meatpacking and Food Processing Protection Act. |
Introduced as HB1874