DES MOINES, IOWA – During a July 14 presentation at the American Association of Meat Processors’ American Convention of Meat Processors and Suppliers’ Exhibition, attendees heard a legal update on labor issues that are or soon will be of concern to small and very small processors.
Rick Alaniz, partner with Houston-based Alaniz Law & Associates and a longtime MEAT+POULTRY contributing editor, told attendees that certain challenges stem from the Biden Administration’s stance on issues that include immigration reform, minimum wage and overtime compensation requirements and union representation. With a labor force that has proven to be fickle about expectations from employers, companies in the meat industry and all industries are struggling to recruit and retain workers.
“Sixty-six percent of your workforce, at any time, is at risk to leave your employment,” Alaniz said, “so, the challenge is holding on to those people; doing the right things for the right reasons.”
He pointed out that organized labor is historically a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, and that is especially true of President Biden and therefore has implications for operators of meat and poultry processing plants.
“He considers himself a union man,” he said of Biden, and policies moving forward are expected to reflect that.
One example of what this could mean for employers is the elimination of states’ right-to-work laws. Currently, 27 states have right-to-work laws in place.
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