Fast Food Nation Part 9

143 "We have a saying at this company": "We have a saying at this company": Quoted in Kurt Eichenwald, "Videotapes Take Star Role at Archers Daniels Midland Trial," Quoted in Kurt Eichenwald, "Videotapes Take Star Role at Archers Daniels Midland Trial," New York Times New York Times, August 4, 1998.

many ranchers were afraid to testify: See Concentration in Agriculture, pp. 7, 2930.

144 "It makes no sense for us": "It makes no sense for us": Quoted in Kevin O' Hanlon, "Judge Clears Way for Al-abama Lawsuit Against Nation's Largest Meatpacker," Quoted in Kevin O' Hanlon, "Judge Clears Way for Al-abama Lawsuit Against Nation's Largest Meatpacker," a.s.sociated Press a.s.sociated Press, May 4, 1999.

Colorado has lost roughly 1.5 million acres: Cited in "A Report on the Conversion of Agricultural Land in Colorado," Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Governor's Task Force on Agricultural Lands, 1997. Cited in "A Report on the Conversion of Agricultural Land in Colorado," Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Governor's Task Force on Agricultural Lands, 1997.eight of the nation's top ten TV shows: Cited in White, Cited in White, It's Your Misfortune and None of My Own It's Your Misfortune and None of My Own, p. 613.

145 The median age of Colorado's ranchers and farmers: The median age of Colorado's ranchers and farmers: Cited in Sam Bingham, "Cattlemen Organize Land Trust: Ranchers' Group Works to Keep Colorado Properties Agricultural," Cited in Sam Bingham, "Cattlemen Organize Land Trust: Ranchers' Group Works to Keep Colorado Properties Agricultural," Denver Post Denver Post, June 22, 1997.

thus far protected about 40,000 acres: Interview with Lynne Sherrod, executive director, Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust. Interview with Lynne Sherrod, executive director, Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust.vanis.h.i.+ng at the rate of about 90,000 acres a year: Cited in "Loss of Agricultural Land Figures for Colorado," Memorandum by David Carlson, resource a.n.a.lyst, Colorado Department of Agriculture, January 8, 1998. Cited in "Loss of Agricultural Land Figures for Colorado," Memorandum by David Carlson, resource a.n.a.lyst, Colorado Department of Agriculture, January 8, 1998.

146 The suicide rate among ranchers and farmers: The suicide rate among ranchers and farmers: The statistic comes from Florence Williams, "Farmed Out," The statistic comes from Florence Williams, "Farmed Out," New Republic New Republic, August 16, 1999.

147 "To fail several generations of relatives": "To fail several generations of relatives": Osha Gray Davidson, Osha Gray Davidson, Broken Heartland: The Rise of America's Rural Ghetto Broken Heartland: The Rise of America's Rural Ghetto (Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1996), p. 95. (Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1996), p. 95.

7. Cogs in the Great Machine Upton Sinclair's The Jungle The Jungle (1906; reprint, New York: Bantam Books, 1981) unfortunately remains the essential starting point for an understanding of America's meatpacking industry today. Nearly a century after the book's publication, many of the descriptive pa.s.sages still ring true. Sinclair's prescription for reform, however - his call for a centralized, socialized, highly industrialized agriculture - shows how even the best of intentions can lead to disaster. For a contemporary view of nineteenth-century meatpacking, I relied mainly on Yeager, (1906; reprint, New York: Bantam Books, 1981) unfortunately remains the essential starting point for an understanding of America's meatpacking industry today. Nearly a century after the book's publication, many of the descriptive pa.s.sages still ring true. Sinclair's prescription for reform, however - his call for a centralized, socialized, highly industrialized agriculture - shows how even the best of intentions can lead to disaster. For a contemporary view of nineteenth-century meatpacking, I relied mainly on Yeager, Compet.i.tion and Regulation Compet.i.tion and Regulation and Skaggs, and Skaggs, Prime Cut Prime Cut. For the struggle to improve working conditions in Chicago's Packingtown, see Unionizing the Jungles: Labor and Community in the Twentieth Century Meatpacking Industry Unionizing the Jungles: Labor and Community in the Twentieth Century Meatpacking Industry, edited by Shelton Stromquist and Marvin Bergman (Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1997). One of the essays in the book, "The Swift Difference," by Paul Street, gives a strong sense of the corporate paternalism and decent working conditions that were later eliminated by the "IBP revolution." For an account of that revolution's leaders.h.i.+p, see Jonathan Kwitny, Vicious Circles: The Mafia in the Marketplace Vicious Circles: The Mafia in the Marketplace (New York: W. W. Norton, 1979); James Cook and Jane Carmichael, "The Mob's Legitimate Connections," (New York: W. W. Norton, 1979); James Cook and Jane Carmichael, "The Mob's Legitimate Connections," Forbes Forbes, November 24, 1980; and James Cook, "Those Simple, Barefoot Boys from Iowa Beef," Forbes Forbes, June 22, 1981. Also see the inadvertently revealing corporate history by Jane E. Limprecht, ConAgra Who ConAgra Who? $15 Billion and Growing $15 Billion and Growing (Omaha: ConAgra, 1989). Jeremy Rifkin's (Omaha: ConAgra, 1989). Jeremy Rifkin's Beyond Beef: The Rise and Fall of the Cattle Culture Beyond Beef: The Rise and Fall of the Cattle Culture (New York: Penguin, 1993) is a provocative diatribe against "the industrialization of beef." Kathleen Meister's response to Rifkin, "The Beef Controversy," (New York: Penguin, 1993) is a provocative diatribe against "the industrialization of beef." Kathleen Meister's response to Rifkin, "The Beef Controversy," American Council on Science and Health Special Reports American Council on Science and Health Special Reports, August 31, 1993, is less convincing, but makes a number of good points. Osha Gray Davidson's Broken Heartland Broken Heartland does a fine job of explaining the root causes and social implications of the rising poverty in America's meatpacking towns. Carol Andreas's does a fine job of explaining the root causes and social implications of the rising poverty in America's meatpacking towns. Carol Andreas's Meatpackers and Beef Barons: Company Town in a Global Economy Meatpackers and Beef Barons: Company Town in a Global Economy (Niwot: University Press of Colorado, 1994) examines the recent transformation of Greeley. I am grateful to Ms. Andreas for discussing her work at length with me. (Niwot: University Press of Colorado, 1994) examines the recent transformation of Greeley. I am grateful to Ms. Andreas for discussing her work at length with me.

In Greeley, many former and current Monfort employees - some at the managerial level - shared their perspective on changes at the company after its sale to ConAgra; at their request, I have not included their names. I am grateful to Javier and Ruben Ramirez for the many hours they spent with me discussing the labor histories of Greeley and Chicago. For a straightforward a.n.a.lysis of structural changes in the cattle business, see James M. MacDonald and Michael Ollinger, "U.S. Meat Slaughter Consolidating Rapidly," USDA Food Review USDA Food Review, May 1, 1997. The best book on today's meatpacking industry is Any Way You Cut It: Meat Processing and Small-Town America Any Way You Cut It: Meat Processing and Small-Town America (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1995), edited by Donald D. Stull, Michael J. Broadway, and David Griffith. The essays by Lourdes Gouveia, Donald D. Stull, Mark Grey, and Steve Bjerklie were especially useful to me. I am indebted to Ms. Gouveia, a professor of sociology at the University of NebraskaOmaha, whose work on the recent changes in Lexington, Nebraska, is exemplary and who helped me contact people there. Her essay "Global Strategies and Local Linkages: The Case of the U.S. Meatpacking Industry" is well worth reading, as is the rest of the book in which it appears: (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1995), edited by Donald D. Stull, Michael J. Broadway, and David Griffith. The essays by Lourdes Gouveia, Donald D. Stull, Mark Grey, and Steve Bjerklie were especially useful to me. I am indebted to Ms. Gouveia, a professor of sociology at the University of NebraskaOmaha, whose work on the recent changes in Lexington, Nebraska, is exemplary and who helped me contact people there. Her essay "Global Strategies and Local Linkages: The Case of the U.S. Meatpacking Industry" is well worth reading, as is the rest of the book in which it appears: From Columbus to ConAgra: The Globalization of Agriculture and Food From Columbus to ConAgra: The Globalization of Agriculture and Food, edited by Alessandro Bonanno, Lawrence Busch, William H. Friedland, Lourdes Gouveia, and Enzo Mingione (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1994). For a government report that belatedly confirms many of the findings made by Stull, Grey, Davidson, Gouveia, and others, see "Community Development: Changes in Nebraska's and Iowa's Counties With Large Meatpacking Plant Workforces," Report to Congressional Requesters Report to Congressional Requesters, United States General Accounting Office, February 1998. Milo Muungard, the executive director of Nebraska's Appleseed Center, gave me useful material on the social and environmental effects of a migrant industrial workforce. Greg Lauby, an attorney whose family has lived in Lexington, Nebraska, for generations, graciously shared his knowledge of the town's history, its residents, its recent changes - and the reasons for its smell. I am particularly grateful to the many IBP workers who invited me into their homes and told me their stories.

Page 150 earns more money every year from livestock products: earns more money every year from livestock products: 1997 1997 Census of Agriculture Census of Agriculture (Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.: U.S. Department of Commerce), p. 36. (Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.: U.S. Department of Commerce), p. 36.

150 the largest private employer in Weld County: the largest private employer in Weld County: Indeed, a recent study by two Colorado State University economists found that ConAgra's facilities are "practically synonymous with Greeley and Weld County." Andrew Seidl and Stephan Weiler, "The Estimated Value of ConAgra Packing Plants in Weld County, CO," Indeed, a recent study by two Colorado State University economists found that ConAgra's facilities are "practically synonymous with Greeley and Weld County." Andrew Seidl and Stephan Weiler, "The Estimated Value of ConAgra Packing Plants in Weld County, CO," Agricultural and Resource Policy Report Agricultural and Resource Policy Report, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, Fort Collins, February 2000, p. 3.

A typical steer will consume: Interview with Mike Callicrate, Kansas feedlot operator. Interview with Mike Callicrate, Kansas feedlot operator.deposits about fifty pounds of manure: The figure was determined by researchers at Colorado State University. Cited in Mark Obmascik, "As Greeley Ponders Tax, Cows Keep On Doing Their Thing," The figure was determined by researchers at Colorado State University. Cited in Mark Obmascik, "As Greeley Ponders Tax, Cows Keep On Doing Their Thing," Denver Post Denver Post, July 29, 1995.produce more excrement than the cities: According to O. W. Charles, of the Extension Poultry Science Department of the University of Georgia, one head of cattle generates the same amount of waste as 16.4 people. Cited in Eric R. Haapapuro, Neal D. Barnard, and Michele Simon, "Animal Waste Used as Livestock Feed: Dangers to Human Health," According to O. W. Charles, of the Extension Poultry Science Department of the University of Georgia, one head of cattle generates the same amount of waste as 16.4 people. Cited in Eric R. Haapapuro, Neal D. Barnard, and Michele Simon, "Animal Waste Used as Livestock Feed: Dangers to Human Health," Preventive Medicine Preventive Medicine, September/October 1997. Using that ratio, the roughly 200,000 cattle in Monfort's two Weld County feedlots produce an amount of waste equivalent to that of about 3.2 million people. The combined populations of Denver (about 500,000), Boston (about 550,000), Atlanta (about 400,000), and St. Louis (about 375,00) produce much less execrement than Greeley's cattle.it was a utopian community: My account of early Greeley is based on Mike Peters, "Meeker Killed on Western Slope," My account of early Greeley is based on Mike Peters, "Meeker Killed on Western Slope," Greeley Tribune Greeley Tribune, 1998; Mike Peters, "Controversy over Cattle Ranches Leads to 'The Fence,'" Greeley Tribune Greeley Tribune, 1998; and Carl Ubbelohde, Maxine Benson, Duane A. Smith, A Colorado History A Colorado History (Boulder, Colo.: Pruett Publis.h.i.+ng Company, 1995), pp. 12332. (Boulder, Colo.: Pruett Publis.h.i.+ng Company, 1995), pp. 12332.

151 started his business in the 1930s with eighteen head: started his business in the 1930s with eighteen head: See Curt Olsen, "Monforts: Changing the Way the World Is Fed," See Curt Olsen, "Monforts: Changing the Way the World Is Fed," National Cattlemen National Cattlemen, August 1997.

a place on President Nixon's "enemies list": See "Beef Baron," See "Beef Baron," Rocky Mountain News Sunday Magazine Rocky Mountain News Sunday Magazine, May 3, 1987."If I can ever be of help": Quoted in Andreas, Quoted in Andreas, Meatpackers and Beef Barons Meatpackers and Beef Barons, p. 37.

152 "the greatest aggregation": "the greatest aggregation": Sinclair, Sinclair, Jungle Jungle, p. 40.

"cogs in the great packing machine": Ibid., p. 78. Ibid., p. 78."conditions that are entirely unnecessary": Quoted in Yeager, Quoted in Yeager, Compet.i.tion and Regulation Compet.i.tion and Regulation, p. 200.

153 "I aimed for the public's heart": "I aimed for the public's heart": Quoted in Skaggs, Quoted in Skaggs, Prime Cut Prime Cut, p. 118.

paid the industry's highest wages: See Stromquist and Bergman, See Stromquist and Bergman, Unionizing the Jungles Unionizing the Jungles, pp. 2533.

154 "We've tried to take the skill out": "We've tried to take the skill out": Quoted in Stull et al., Quoted in Stull et al., Any Way You Cut It Any Way You Cut It, p. 19.

as though it were waging war: Holman is quoted in Christopher Drew, "A Chain of Setbacks for Meat Workers," Holman is quoted in Christopher Drew, "A Chain of Setbacks for Meat Workers," Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune, October 25, 1988.close ties with La Cosa Nostra: Steinman was a central figure in New York City's meat business, dominated at the time by the Lucchese and Gambino crime families. See Kwitny, Steinman was a central figure in New York City's meat business, dominated at the time by the Lucchese and Gambino crime families. See Kwitny, Vicious Circles Vicious Circles, pp. 25253.

155 a five-cent "commission": a five-cent "commission": The arrangement, technically, was a fifty-cent commission for every hundred pounds. Ibid., p. 301. The arrangement, technically, was a fifty-cent commission for every hundred pounds. Ibid., p. 301.

155 "knew virtually nothing about the meat business": "knew virtually nothing about the meat business": Quoted ibid., p. 375. Quoted ibid., p. 375.

investigations by Forbes Forbes and the and the Wall Street Journal: Jonathan Kwitny, the Wall Street Journal: Jonathan Kwitny, the Journal Journal reporter, and James Cook and Jane Carmichael, writing for reporter, and James Cook and Jane Carmichael, writing for Forbes Forbes, drew somewhat different conclusions about the meaning of the IBP case. Kwitny was outraged, arguing that it was as though "the Mafia had moved into... the oil industry, bringing Exxon to its knees." Cook and Carmichael were more detached and pragmatic. "The ordeal of Iowa Beef Processors shows as clearly as anything can," they wrote, "how legitimate business can become linked with organized crime, to their mutual benefit." Kwitny, Vicious Circles Vicious Circles, p. 252; Cook and Carmichael, "Mob's Legitimate Connections."wages that were sometimes more than 50 percent lower: While Swift and Armour were paying $17 to $18 an hour, IBP was paying just $8. See Winston Williams, "An Upheaval in Meatpacking," While Swift and Armour were paying $17 to $18 an hour, IBP was paying just $8. See Winston Williams, "An Upheaval in Meatpacking," New York Times, New York Times, June 20, 1983. See also Cook, "Those Simple, Barefoot Boys." June 20, 1983. See also Cook, "Those Simple, Barefoot Boys."once employed 40,000 people: According to Erin Troya of the Chicago Historical Society, Packingtown employed about 40,000 workers at its peak during the 1920s. The current estimate of 2,000 comes from Ruben Ramirez. Dot McGrier, at the U.S. Census Bureau, says that Chicago now has a total of 6,000 meatpacking workers, but most of them are employed in the Watermarket area on the western edge of the city. According to Erin Troya of the Chicago Historical Society, Packingtown employed about 40,000 workers at its peak during the 1920s. The current estimate of 2,000 comes from Ruben Ramirez. Dot McGrier, at the U.S. Census Bureau, says that Chicago now has a total of 6,000 meatpacking workers, but most of them are employed in the Watermarket area on the western edge of the city.

157 a sweetheart deal with the National Maritime Union: a sweetheart deal with the National Maritime Union: See Bill Saporito, "Unions Fight the Corporate Sell-Off," See Bill Saporito, "Unions Fight the Corporate Sell-Off," Fortune Fortune, July 11, 1983; Jim Morris, "Easy Prey: Harsh work for Immigrants," Houston Chronicle Houston Chronicle, June 26, 1995; Andreas, Meatpackers and Beef Barons Meatpackers and Beef Barons, p. 68.

158 wages that had been cut by 40 percent: wages that had been cut by 40 percent: Andreas, Andreas, Meatpackers and Beef Barons Meatpackers and Beef Barons, p. 98.

"if the industry was going to be concentrated": Quoted ibid., p. 76. Quoted ibid., p. 76.the largest foodservice supplier: Interview with Karen Savinski, director of corporate communications, ConAgra. Interview with Karen Savinski, director of corporate communications, ConAgra.

159 annual revenues of about $500 million: annual revenues of about $500 million: Cited in Limprecht, Cited in Limprecht, ConAgra Who? ConAgra Who?, p. 98.

the market value of its stock: Ibid., p. 7. Ibid., p. 7."Harper told each general manager": Quoted ibid., p. 12. Quoted ibid., p. 12."Patience, my a.s.s": Ibid., p. 120. Ibid., p. 120.45,256 truckloads: See Tom Hughes, "Alabama Growers' Court Settlement Not Chicken Feed," See Tom Hughes, "Alabama Growers' Court Settlement Not Chicken Feed," Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery Advertiser, October 7, 1992. See also Richard Gibson, "ConAgra Settles Case of Cheating By Bird Weighers," Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal, October 9, 1992.ConAgra agreed to pay $13.6 million: Cited in Richard Gibson, "ConAgra, Hormel Pay a Pretty Penny in an Ugly Catfish Price-Fixing Case," Cited in Richard Gibson, "ConAgra, Hormel Pay a Pretty Penny in an Ugly Catfish Price-Fixing Case," Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal, December 29, 1995.ConAgra paid $8.3 million in fines: See See "ConAgra Pays "ConAgra Pays $8.3 Million in Penalties for Fraud Scheme," $8.3 Million in Penalties for Fraud Scheme," Federal Department and Agency Doc.u.ments Federal Department and Agency Doc.u.ments, March 19, 1997. See also Scott Kilman, "ConAgra to Pay $8.3 Million to Settle Fraud Charges in Grain-Handling Case," Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal, March 20, 1997.

160 more than five thousand different people were employed: more than five thousand different people were employed: Cited in "Here's the Beef: Underreporting of Injuries, OSHA's Policy of Exempting Companies from Programmed Inspections Based on Injury Records, and Unsafe Conditions in the Meatpacking Industry," Cited in "Here's the Beef: Underreporting of Injuries, OSHA's Policy of Exempting Companies from Programmed Inspections Based on Injury Records, and Unsafe Conditions in the Meatpacking Industry," Forty-Second Report by the Committee on Government and Operations Forty-Second Report by the Committee on Government and Operations (Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1988), p. 12. (Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1988), p. 12.

160 roughly two-thirds of the workers at the beef plant: roughly two-thirds of the workers at the beef plant: Interview with Javier Ramirez, former president of UFCW Local 990, Greeley, Colorado. Interview with Javier Ramirez, former president of UFCW Local 990, Greeley, Colorado.

A spokesman for ConAgra recently acknowledged: Interview with Brett Fox, director of industry affairs and media relations, ConAgra Beef Company. Interview with Brett Fox, director of industry affairs and media relations, ConAgra Beef Company."There is a 100 percent turnover rate annually": Quoted in James M. Burcke, "1994 Risk Manager of the Year: Meatpacker's Losses Trimmed Down to Size," Quoted in James M. Burcke, "1994 Risk Manager of the Year: Meatpacker's Losses Trimmed Down to Size," Business Insurance Business Insurance, April 18, 1994.

161 Arden Walker, the head of labor relations at IBP: Arden Walker, the head of labor relations at IBP: Quoted in "Here's the Beef," p. 11. Quoted in "Here's the Beef," p. 11.

162 Picking strawberries in California pays: Picking strawberries in California pays: For the role and the wages of Latino mi-grants in California agriculture, see Schlosser, "In the Strawberry Fields." For the role and the wages of Latino mi-grants in California agriculture, see Schlosser, "In the Strawberry Fields."

refugees and asylum-seekers... homeless people living at shelters: See "IBP; Meat Processing Plant Fails to Uphold Social Contract with Waterloo, Iowa; Crime and Homelessness Increase," See "IBP; Meat Processing Plant Fails to Uphold Social Contract with Waterloo, Iowa; Crime and Homelessness Increase," 60 Minutes 60 Minutes, CBS News transcripts, March 9, 1997; "IBP's Hiring Reflects Evolution of Meatpacking Industry," Quad-City Times Quad-City Times, June 30, 1997; Marc Cooper, "The Heartland's Raw Deal: How Meatpacking Is Creating a New Immigrant Undercla.s.s," Nation Nation, February 3, 1997; and George Rodrigue, "Packing Them In: Meat Processing Firm's Hiring of Ex-Welfare Recipients Questioned," Dallas Morning News Dallas Morning News, September 25, 1997.a labor office in Mexico City: See Laurie Cohen, "Free Ride: With Help from INS, U.S. Meatpacker Taps Mexican Work Force," See Laurie Cohen, "Free Ride: With Help from INS, U.S. Meatpacker Taps Mexican Work Force," Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal, October 15, 1998.one-quarter of all meatpacking workers in Iowa: Cited in "Changes in Nebraska's and Iowa's Counties with Large Meatpacking Plant Workforces," Cited in "Changes in Nebraska's and Iowa's Counties with Large Meatpacking Plant Workforces," GAO Reports GAO Reports, p. 15.Spokesmen for IBP and the ConAgra Beef Company: Fox interview; interview with Gary Mickelson, IBP Public Affairs Department. Fox interview; interview with Gary Mickelson, IBP Public Affairs Department."If they've got a pulse": Quoted in Rick Ruggles, "INS: Undoc.u.mented Workers Face New Meat-Plant Tactics," Quoted in Rick Ruggles, "INS: Undoc.u.mented Workers Face New Meat-Plant Tactics," Omaha World-Herald Omaha World-Herald, September 11, 1998.In September of 1994, GFI America: See Joe Rigert and Richard Meryhew, "Food Company Takes Hired Workers to Homeless Shelter," See Joe Rigert and Richard Meryhew, "Food Company Takes Hired Workers to Homeless Shelter," Minneapolis Star Tribune Minneapolis Star Tribune, September 14, 1994; Tony Kennedy, "International Dairy Queen to Review Its Relations.h.i.+p with Meat Supplier GFI," Minneapolis Star-Tribune Minneapolis Star-Tribune, September 15, 1994; and "GFI's Frugal Ways Led to Problems for Some Workers," Minneapolis Star-Tribune Minneapolis Star-Tribune, December 9,1994.

163 "Our job is not to provide": "Our job is not to provide": Quoted in Rigert and Meryhew, "Food Company Takes Hired Workers." Quoted in Rigert and Meryhew, "Food Company Takes Hired Workers."

Mike Harper personally stood to gain: Cited in "Capital Gains Exclusion Would Benefit Key Backers," Cited in "Capital Gains Exclusion Would Benefit Key Backers," UPI UPI, April 19, 1987.

164 called Harper's demands "blackmail": called Harper's demands "blackmail": See Limprecht, See Limprecht, ConAgra Who? ConAgra Who?, p. 269.

"Some Friday night, we turn out the lights": Quoted in Dennis Farney, "Nebraska, Hungry of Jobs, Grants Big Business Big Tax Breaks Despite Charges of 'Blackmail,'" Quoted in Dennis Farney, "Nebraska, Hungry of Jobs, Grants Big Business Big Tax Breaks Despite Charges of 'Blackmail,'" Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal, June 23, 1987.

164 after the revision of the state's tax code: after the revision of the state's tax code: See Henry J. Cordes, "Did It Prime the Pump? Report Questions Economic Incentives," See Henry J. Cordes, "Did It Prime the Pump? Report Questions Economic Incentives," Omaha World-Herald Omaha World-Herald, December 28, 1997. Ernie Goss, an economist at Creighton University, thinks the estimate of $13,000 to $23,000 is fair. Interview with Ernie Goss.

like giving his employees a 7 percent raise..."The move shows you how ungrateful": Quoted in John Taylor, "IBP's Move Prompts Look at Tax Policy," Quoted in John Taylor, "IBP's Move Prompts Look at Tax Policy," Omaha World-Herald Omaha World-Herald, June 13, 1996.a $300,000 loan: See Kenneth B. n.o.ble, "Signs of Violence in Meat Plant's Lockout," See Kenneth B. n.o.ble, "Signs of Violence in Meat Plant's Lockout," New York Times New York Times, January 18, 1987.

165 the highest crime rate in the state of Nebraska: the highest crime rate in the state of Nebraska: See Robert A. Hackenberg, David Griffith, Donald Stull, and Lourdes Gouveia, "Creating a Disposable Labor Force," See Robert A. Hackenberg, David Griffith, Donald Stull, and Lourdes Gouveia, "Creating a Disposable Labor Force," Aspen Inst.i.tute Quarterly Aspen Inst.i.tute Quarterly 5, no. 2 (Spring 1993), p. 92. 5, no. 2 (Spring 1993), p. 92.

the number of serious crimes doubled: Cited in "Changes in Nebraska's and Iowa's Counties with Large Meatpacking Plant Workforces," Cited in "Changes in Nebraska's and Iowa's Counties with Large Meatpacking Plant Workforces," GAO Report GAO Report, p. 39.the number of Medicaid cases nearly doubled: Ibid., p. 36. Ibid., p. 36.a major distribution center for illegal drugs; gang members appeared in town: See Richard A. Serrano, "Mexican Drug Cartels Target U.S. Heartland: Officials Say Illegal Immigrants are Using Interstates as Pipeline to Bring Cocaine, Meth-amphetamines to Midwest and Rocky Mountain Areas Where Abuse Is Burgeoning," See Richard A. Serrano, "Mexican Drug Cartels Target U.S. Heartland: Officials Say Illegal Immigrants are Using Interstates as Pipeline to Bring Cocaine, Meth-amphetamines to Midwest and Rocky Mountain Areas Where Abuse Is Burgeoning," Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times, December 10, 1997; Jennifer Dukes Lee, "Meatpacking Towns Seen As Key Funnel for Meth," Des Moines Register Des Moines Register, March 7, 1999.the majority of Lexington's white inhabitants... the proportion of Latino inhabitants: Lexington is the princ.i.p.al city in Dawson County, and in 1990, 4.7 percent of the county's population was Latino, according to census figures. A recount in 1993 found the Latino population to be almost 30 percent and expected to reach 50 percent within three years. Cited in Lourdes Gouveia, "From the Beet Fields to the Kill Floors: Latinos in Nebraska's Meatpacking Communities," unpublished ma.n.u.script. Lexington is the princ.i.p.al city in Dawson County, and in 1990, 4.7 percent of the county's population was Latino, according to census figures. A recount in 1993 found the Latino population to be almost 30 percent and expected to reach 50 percent within three years. Cited in Lourdes Gouveia, "From the Beet Fields to the Kill Floors: Latinos in Nebraska's Meatpacking Communities," unpublished ma.n.u.script."Mexington": For some of the positive effects of the new immigration wave, see Edwin Garcia and Ben Stocking, "Latinos on the Move to a New Promised Land," For some of the positive effects of the new immigration wave, see Edwin Garcia and Ben Stocking, "Latinos on the Move to a New Promised Land," San Jose Mercury News San Jose Mercury News, August 16, 1998."We have three odors": Quoted in Melody M. Loughry, "Issues Now," Quoted in Melody M. Loughry, "Issues Now," North Platte Resident North Platte Resident, January 15,1996.the Justice Department sued IBP: See Elliot Blair Smith, "Stench Chokes Meatpacking Towns," See Elliot Blair Smith, "Stench Chokes Meatpacking Towns," USA Today USA Today, February 14, 2000; "U.S. Sues Meatpacking Giant for Violating Numerous Environmental Laws in Midwest," press release, Environmental Protection Agency, January 12, 2000."This agreement means": Quoted in "Meatpacker Must Cut Hydrogen Sulfide Emissions at Nebraska Plant," press release, Environmental Protection Agency, May 24, 2000. Quoted in "Meatpacker Must Cut Hydrogen Sulfide Emissions at Nebraska Plant," press release, Environmental Protection Agency, May 24, 2000.

166 The transcript of this meeting: The transcript of this meeting: "Presenting IBP, Inc., to Lexington, Nebraska: A Public Forum Conducted by the Dawson County Council for Economic Development, July 7, 1988, at the Junior High School Auditorium," transcription by the staff of the Lauby Law Office, Lexington, Nebraska. "Presenting IBP, Inc., to Lexington, Nebraska: A Public Forum Conducted by the Dawson County Council for Economic Development, July 7, 1988, at the Junior High School Auditorium," transcription by the staff of the Lauby Law Office, Lexington, Nebraska.

8. The Most Dangerous Job The Most Dangerous Job This chapter is based largely on interviews that I conducted with dozens of Latino meatpacking workers in Colorado and Nebraska. I also interviewed a former slaughterhouse safety director, a former slaughterhouse nurse, former plant supervisors, and a physician whose medical practice was for years devoted to the treatment of slaughterhouse workers. All of these managerial personnel had left the meatpacking industry by choice; none had been fired; and their reluctance to use their real names in this book stems from the widespread fear of the meatpackers in rural communities where they operate. I am grateful to those who spoke with me and showed me around.

Deborah E. Berkowitz, the former director of health and safety at the UFCW, was an invaluable source of information about the workings of a modern slaughterhouse and the dangers that workers face there. Her article on meatpacking and meat processing in The Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety The Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety (Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Organization, 1998), cowritten with Michael J. f.a.gel, is a good introduction to the subject. Curt Brandt, the president of UFCW Local 22 in Fremont, Nebraska, described the various tactics he's seen meatpacking firms use over the years to avoid compensating injured workers. Two Colorado attorneys, Joseph Goldhammer and Dennis E. Valentine, helped me understand the intricacies of their state's workers' comp law and described their work on behalf of injured Monfort employees. Rod Rehm, an attorney based in Lincoln, Nebraska, spent many hours depicting the conditions in his state and arranged for me to meet some of his clients. Rehm is an outspoken advocate for poor Latinos in a state where they have few political allies. Bruce L. Braley, one of the attorneys in (Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Organization, 1998), cowritten with Michael J. f.a.gel, is a good introduction to the subject. Curt Brandt, the president of UFCW Local 22 in Fremont, Nebraska, described the various tactics he's seen meatpacking firms use over the years to avoid compensating injured workers. Two Colorado attorneys, Joseph Goldhammer and Dennis E. Valentine, helped me understand the intricacies of their state's workers' comp law and described their work on behalf of injured Monfort employees. Rod Rehm, an attorney based in Lincoln, Nebraska, spent many hours depicting the conditions in his state and arranged for me to meet some of his clients. Rehm is an outspoken advocate for poor Latinos in a state where they have few political allies. Bruce L. Braley, one of the attorneys in Ferrell v. IBP Ferrell v. IBP, told me a great deal about the company's behavior and sent me stacks of doc.u.ments pertaining to the case. "Killing Them Softly: Work in Meatpacking Plants and What It Does to Workers," by Donald D. Stull and Michael J. Broadway, in Any Way You Cut It Any Way You Cut It, is one of the best published accounts of America's most dangerous job. "Here's the Beef: Underreporting of Injuries, OSHA's Policy of Exempting Companies from Programmed Inspections Based on Injury Record, and Unsafe Conditions in the Meatpacking Industry," Forty-Second Report by the Committee on Government Operations Forty-Second Report by the Committee on Government Operations (Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1988), shows the extraordinary abuses that can occur when an industry is allowed to regulate itself. After the congressional investigation, Christopher Drew wrote a terrific series of articles on meatpacking, published by the (Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1988), shows the extraordinary abuses that can occur when an industry is allowed to regulate itself. After the congressional investigation, Christopher Drew wrote a terrific series of articles on meatpacking, published by the Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune in October of 1988. The fact that working conditions have changed little since then is remarkably depressing. Gail A. Eisnitz's in October of 1988. The fact that working conditions have changed little since then is remarkably depressing. Gail A. Eisnitz's Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry (Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 1997), suggests that many cattle are needlessly brutalized prior to slaughter. Nothing that these sources reveal would come as a surprise to readers of Upton Sinclair. (Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 1997), suggests that many cattle are needlessly brutalized prior to slaughter. Nothing that these sources reveal would come as a surprise to readers of Upton Sinclair.

Page 172 The injury rate in a slaughterhouse: The injury rate in a slaughterhouse: In 1999, the most recent year for which statistics are available, the injury and illness rate in the nation's meatpacking industry was 26.7 per 100 hundred workers. For the rest of U.S. manufacturing, it was 9.2 per hundred workers. See "Industries with the Highest Nonfatal Total Cases, Incidence Rates for Injuries and Illnesses, Private Industry, 1999," Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2000; and "Incidence Rates of Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses by Selected Industries and Case Types, 1999," Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, December 2000. In 1999, the most recent year for which statistics are available, the injury and illness rate in the nation's meatpacking industry was 26.7 per 100 hundred workers. For the rest of U.S. manufacturing, it was 9.2 per hundred workers. See "Industries with the Highest Nonfatal Total Cases, Incidence Rates for Injuries and Illnesses, Private Industry, 1999," Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2000; and "Incidence Rates of Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses by Selected Industries and Case Types, 1999," Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, December 2000.

172 roughly forty thousand men and women: roughly forty thousand men and women: The meatpacking industry now has about 147,600 workers, and at least 26.7 percent of them suffer workplace injuries and illnesses. See "Industries with the Highest Nonfatal Total Cases." The meatpacking industry now has about 147,600 workers, and at least 26.7 percent of them suffer workplace injuries and illnesses. See "Industries with the Highest Nonfatal Total Cases."

Thousands of additional injuries and illnesses: At some plants, as many as half of the workers may be hurt each year. You need spend only an hour or so with a roomful of poor Latino meatpacking workers to get a sense of how many serious injuries are never reported. At some plants, as many as half of the workers may be hurt each year. You need spend only an hour or so with a roomful of poor Latino meatpacking workers to get a sense of how many serious injuries are never reported.Poultry plants can be largely mechanized: Despite the higher level of mechanization, workers in the poultry industry have one of the nation's highest rates of injury and illness, largely due to the repet.i.tive nature of the work and the speed of the production line. Despite the higher level of mechanization, workers in the poultry industry have one of the nation's highest rates of injury and illness, largely due to the repet.i.tive nature of the work and the speed of the production line.

173 roughly thirty-three times higher than the national average: roughly thirty-three times higher than the national average: In 1999 the incidence of repeated trauma injuries in private industry was 27.3 per 10,000 workers; in the poultry industry the rate was 337.1; and in the meatpacking industry it was 912.5. See "Industries with the Highest Nonfatal Illness Incidence Rate of Disorders a.s.sociated with Repeated Trauma and the Number of Cases in These Industries," Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, December 2000. In 1999 the incidence of repeated trauma injuries in private industry was 27.3 per 10,000 workers; in the poultry industry the rate was 337.1; and in the meatpacking industry it was 912.5. See "Industries with the Highest Nonfatal Illness Incidence Rate of Disorders a.s.sociated with Repeated Trauma and the Number of Cases in These Industries," Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, December 2000.

adds up to about 10,000 cuts: According to Berkowitz and f.a.gel, some production jobs can require 20,000 cuts a day. Berkowitz and f.a.gel, According to Berkowitz and f.a.gel, some production jobs can require 20,000 cuts a day. Berkowitz and f.a.gel, Enclyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety Enclyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety, p. 67.14.

174 beef slaughterhouses often operate at profit margins: beef slaughterhouses often operate at profit margins: According to Steve Bjerklie, the profit margin for slaughter is about 1 percent, with additional earnings from processing and the sale of byproducts. See Steve Bjerklie, "On the Horns of a Dilemma," in According to Steve Bjerklie, the profit margin for slaughter is about 1 percent, with additional earnings from processing and the sale of byproducts. See Steve Bjerklie, "On the Horns of a Dilemma," in Any Way You Cut It Any Way You Cut It, p. 42.

widespread methamphetamine use: Many workers told me stories about meth-amphetamine use. See also Lee, "Meatpacking towns seen as key funnel for meth." Many workers told me stories about meth-amphetamine use. See also Lee, "Meatpacking towns seen as key funnel for meth."only one-third of IBP's workers belong to a union: Cited in Cohen, "Free Ride with Help from INS." Cited in Cohen, "Free Ride with Help from INS."

176 awarded $2.4 million to a female employee..."screamed obscenities and rubbed their bodies": awarded $2.4 million to a female employee..."screamed obscenities and rubbed their bodies": A federal judge later reduced the award to $1.75 million. See Lynn Hicks, "IBP Worker Awarded $2.4 Million by Jury," A federal judge later reduced the award to $1.75 million. See Lynn Hicks, "IBP Worker Awarded $2.4 Million by Jury," Des Moines Register Des Moines Register, February 27, 1999; Lynn Hicks, "Worker: s.e.xism, Racism at IBP," Des Moines Register Des Moines Register, February 3,1999; "IBP Told to Pay Attorney's Fees," Des Moines Register Des Moines Register, December 30, 1999.

the company paid the women $900,000: See "Monfort Beef to Pay $900,000 to Settle s.e.xual Hara.s.sment Suit," See "Monfort Beef to Pay $900,000 to Settle s.e.xual Hara.s.sment Suit," Houston Chronicle Houston Chronicle, September 1,1999.pressured them for dates and s.e.x: Ibid. Ibid.They are considered "independent contractors": As a result, the meatpacking firms are not liable for the work-related injuries of the slaughterhouse employees who face the greatest risks. When OSHA tried to penalize IBP for the death of a sanitation worker, IBP appealed the decision, with the backing of the National a.s.sociation of Manufacturers, before a federal appeals court in 1998 - and won. Although the meatpackers own the slaughterhouses and the slaughterhouse equipment, they are not legally responsible for the immigrants who clean them. See Stephan C. Yohay and Arthur G. Sapper, "Liability on Multi-Employer Worksites," As a result, the meatpacking firms are not liable for the work-related injuries of the slaughterhouse employees who face the greatest risks. When OSHA tried to penalize IBP for the death of a sanitation worker, IBP appealed the decision, with the backing of the National a.s.sociation of Manufacturers, before a federal appeals court in 1998 - and won. Although the meatpackers own the slaughterhouses and the slaughterhouse equipment, they are not legally responsible for the immigrants who clean them. See Stephan C. Yohay and Arthur G. Sapper, "Liability on Multi-Employer Worksites," Occupational Hazards Occupational Hazards, October 1998.

178 Richard Skala was beheaded: Richard Skala was beheaded: See Jim Morris, "Easy Prey: Harsh Work for Immigrants," See Jim Morris, "Easy Prey: Harsh Work for Immigrants," Houston Chronicle Houston Chronicle, June 26, 1995.

Carlos Vincente: See "Guatemalan Man Dies after Falling into Machinery of Beef Processing Plant," See "Guatemalan Man Dies after Falling into Machinery of Beef Processing Plant," AP AP, November 3, 1998; "Ft. Morgan Firm Faces $350,000 in OSHA Fines," AP AP, May 4, 1999.Lorenzo Marin, Sr.: See Mark P. Couch, "IBP Told to Pay Damages to Family," See Mark P. Couch, "IBP Told to Pay Damages to Family," Des Moines Register Des Moines Register, June 7, 1995.Another employee of DCS Sanitation... The same machine: See Jim Rasmussen, "Company Expecting Fines Today; Death at IBP Plant May Cost Ohio Firm," See Jim Rasmussen, "Company Expecting Fines Today; Death at IBP Plant May Cost Ohio Firm," Omaha World-Herald Omaha World-Herald, October 7,1993.Homer Stull climbed into a blood-collection tank: See Allen Freedman, "Workers Stiffed: Death and Injury Rates among American Workers Soar, and the Government Has Never Cared Less," See Allen Freedman, "Workers Stiffed: Death and Injury Rates among American Workers Soar, and the Government Has Never Cared Less," Was.h.i.+ngton Monthly Was.h.i.+ngton Monthly, November 1992.Henry Wolf had been overcome: See "Liberal Packing Plant Fined $960," See "Liberal Packing Plant Fined $960," UPI UPI, October 19, 1983.

179 its 1,300 inspectors: its 1,300 inspectors: See Kenneth B. n.o.ble, "The Long Tug-of-War over What Is How Hazardous; For OSHA, Balance Is Hard to Find," See Kenneth B. n.o.ble, "The Long Tug-of-War over What Is How Hazardous; For OSHA, Balance Is Hard to Find," New York Times New York Times, January 10, 1988; and Christopher Drew, "Regulators Slow Down as Packers Speed Up," Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune, October 26, 1988.

more than 5 million workplaces: Cited in "Here's the Beef," p. 4. Cited in "Here's the Beef," p. 4.A typical American employer: Cited in Susannah Zak Figura, "The New OSHA," Cited in Susannah Zak Figura, "The New OSHA," Government Executive Government Executive, May 1997.The number of OSHA inspectors: See n.o.ble, "The Long Tug of War"; and Drew, "Regulators Slow Down." See n.o.ble, "The Long Tug of War"; and Drew, "Regulators Slow Down."a new policy of "voluntary compliance": See "Here's the Beef," p. 3. See "Here's the Beef," p. 3.While the number of serious injuries rose: See Christopher Drew, "A Chain of Setbacks for Meat Workers," See Christopher Drew, "A Chain of Setbacks for Meat Workers," Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune, October 25, 1988."appear amazingly stupid to you"..."I know very well that you know": Quoted in Drew, "Regulators Slow Down." Quoted in Drew, "Regulators Slow Down.""to understate injuries, to falsify records": "Here's the Beef," p. 21. "Here's the Beef," p. 21.

180 every injury and illness at the slaughterhouse: every injury and illness at the slaughterhouse: Ibid., pp. 3, 14. Ibid., pp. 3, 14.

the first log recorded 1,800 injuries... The OSHA log: Ibid., p. 14. Ibid., p. 14.denied under oath: Ibid., p. 15. See also Philip Shabecoff, "OSHA Seeks $2.59 Million Fine for Meatpacker's Injury Reports," Ibid., p. 15. See also Philip Shabecoff, "OSHA Seeks $2.59 Million Fine for Meatpacker's Injury Reports," New York Times New York Times, July 22, 1987."the best of the best": Quoted in "Here's the Beef," p. 9. Quoted in "Here's the Beef," p. 9.as much as one-third higher: Ibid., p. 9. Ibid., p. 9.investigators also discovered: Ibid., p. 21. Ibid., p. 21.Another leading meatpacking company: Ibid., pp. 2122. Ibid., pp. 2122."serious injuries such as fractures": Ibid., p. 8. Ibid., p. 8.

180 "one of the most irresponsible and reckless": "one of the most irresponsible and reckless": Quoted in Donald Woutat, "Meat-packer IBP Fined $3.1 Million in Safety Action; Health Problem Disabled More than 600, OSHA Says," Quoted in Donald Woutat, "Meat-packer IBP Fined $3.1 Million in Safety Action; Health Problem Disabled More than 600, OSHA Says," Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times, May 12, 1988.

"the worst example of underreporting": a.s.sistant Labor Secretary John A. Pender-gra.s.s, quoted in Shabecoff, "OSHA Seeks $2.59 Million Fine." a.s.sistant Labor Secretary John A. Pender-gra.s.s, quoted in Shabecoff, "OSHA Seeks $2.59 Million Fine."difficult to prove "conclusively": "Here's the Beef," p. 19. "Here's the Beef," p. 19.fined $2.6 million by OSHA: Shabecoff, "OSHA Seeks $2.59 Million." Shabecoff, "OSHA Seeks $2.59 Million."fined an additional $3.1 million: Woutat, "Meatpacker IBP Fined $3.1 Million." Woutat, "Meatpacker IBP Fined $3.1 Million."fines were reduced to $975,000: See Christopher Drew, "IBP Agrees to Injury Plan," See Christopher Drew, "IBP Agrees to Injury Plan," Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune, November 23, 1988; Marianne Lavelle, "When Fines Collapse: Critics Target OSHA's Settlements," National Law Journal National Law Journal, December 4, 1989.about one one-hundredth of a percent: According to Robert L. Peterson, IBP's revenues that year were about $8.8 billion. "IBP's Presentation at the New York Society of Security a.n.a.lysts," According to Robert L. Peterson, IBP's revenues that year were about $8.8 billion. "IBP's Presentation at the New York Society of Security a.n.a.lysts," Business Wire Business Wire, October 28, 1988.a worker named Kevin Wilson: My account of the Wilson case is based upon John Taylor, "Ex-IBP Worker Gets $15 Million in Damage Award," My account of the Wilson case is based upon John Taylor, "Ex-IBP Worker Gets $15 Million in Damage Award," Omaha World-Herald Omaha World-Herald, December 3,1994; "Opinion," Kevin Wilson v IBP, Inc., and Diane Arndt Kevin Wilson v IBP, Inc., and Diane Arndt, Supreme Court of Iowa, no. 258/95477, February 14, 1997; "$2 Million Punitive Award Won by Injured Employee," Managing Risk Managing Risk, March 1997; and "IBP's Appeal of $2 Million Punitive Award Rejected," Omaha World-Herald Omaha World-Herald, October 7,1997 181 The IBP nurse called them "idiots" and "jerks": The IBP nurse called them "idiots" and "jerks": Quoted in Quoted in Wilson v IBP and Arndt Wilson v IBP and Arndt, Iowa Supreme Court.

182 The company later paid him an undisclosed sum: The company later paid him an undisclosed sum: See Morris, "Easy Prey." See Morris, "Easy Prey."

"The first commandment is that only production counts": A transcript of Murphy's testimony appears in Andreas, Meatpackers and Beef Barons, pp. 17183. A transcript of Murphy's testimony appears in Andreas, Meatpackers and Beef Barons, pp. 17183.little has changed since IBP was caught: For Ferrell's side of the case, I have relied upon "Plaintiff's Statement of Specific Disputed Facts and Additional Material Facts," For Ferrell's side of the case, I have relied upon "Plaintiff's Statement of Specific Disputed Facts and Additional Material Facts," Michael D. Ferrell v IBP, Inc Michael D. Ferrell v IBP, Inc., United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Western Division, May 7, 1999.

183 IBP disputes this version: IBP disputes this version: For IBP's version of events, I have relied upon "Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment," For IBP's version of events, I have relied upon "Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment," Michael D. Ferrell v IBP, Inc. Michael D. Ferrell v IBP, Inc., United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Western Division, March 6, 1999.

"numerous, pervasive, and outrageous": Quoted in "Labor Board Charges Monfort with Discrimination; Orders Reinstatement, Back Pay, and Union Election," Quoted in "Labor Board Charges Monfort with Discrimination; Orders Reinstatement, Back Pay, and Union Election," PR Newswire PR Newswire, April 12, 1990. See also James M. Biers, "Monfort Flouted Labor Laws," Denver Post Denver Post, November 4, 1995.

184 Colorado was one of the first states: Colorado was one of the first states: See Ben Wear, "Lawmakers Seek Cure, Not Band-Aid; All Sides Cry Foul in Fight to Protect Interests," See Ben Wear, "Lawmakers Seek Cure, Not Band-Aid; All Sides Cry Foul in Fight to Protect Interests," Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, February 3, 1991; Karen Bowers, "The Big Hurt: Truth Is the First Casualty in the Political War over Amendment 11," Denver Westword Denver Westword, October 19, 1994; and Stuart Steers, "Injured Workers Have Borne the Brunt of Workers' Comp 'Reform' in Colorado," Denver Westword Denver Westword, July 19, 1996.

185 Under Colorado's new law: Under Colorado's new law: The figures on missing digits and other injuries are from the 1999 Workers' Compensation Act, State of Colorado. The figures on missing digits and other injuries are from the 1999 Workers' Compensation Act, State of Colorado.

Congressman Ca.s.s Ballenger: See "Congressman Argues for an Overhaul of OSHA," See "Congressman Argues for an Overhaul of OSHA," Business Insurance Business Insurance, July 10, 1995; David Maraniss and Michael Weisskopf, "OSHA's Enemies Find Themselves in High Places," Was.h.i.+ngton Post Was.h.i.+ngton Post, July 24,1995; and Figura, "New OSHA."by the late 1990s had already reached an all-time low: See "Study Finds Decline in Workplace Inspections," AP, September 5, 1998. See "Study Finds Decline in Workplace Inspections," AP, September 5, 1998.The plant had never been inspected by OSHA: See Maraniss and Weisskopf, "OSHA's Enemies." See Maraniss and Weisskopf, "OSHA's Enemies."Congressman Joel Hefley: See "Congressman Argues for an Overhaul"; "Hutchison, Hefley Introduce Proposals in House, Senate to Overhaul OSHA," See "Congressman Argues for an Overhaul"; "Hutchison, Hefley Introduce Proposals in House, Senate to Overhaul OSHA," Asbestos and Lead Abatement Report Asbestos and Lead Abatement Report, April 7, 1997; and Erin Emery, "Political Novice Alford Faces Hefley," Denver Post Denver Post, October 14, 1998.

9. What's in the Meat What's in the Meat Interviews with two of the nation's leading experts on s.h.i.+ga toxinproducing E. coli E. coli - Dr. David Acheson, an a.s.sociate professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Tufts University Medical School, and Dr. Patricia M. Griffin, chief of the Foodborne Diseases Epidemiology Section, Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - helped me understand some of the distinctive characteristics and potential dangers of these organisms. A pair of journal articles greatly influenced my view of the role of the fast food and meatpacking industries in spreading disease: Gregory L. Armstrong, Jill Hollingsworth, and J. Glenn Morris, Jr., "Emerging Foodborne Pathogens: - Dr. David Acheson, an a.s.sociate professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Tufts University Medical School, and Dr. Patricia M. Griffin, chief of the Foodborne Diseases Epidemiology Section, Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - helped me understand some of the distinctive characteristics and potential dangers of these organisms. A pair of journal articles greatly influenced my view of the role of the fast food and meatpacking industries in spreading disease: Gregory L. Armstrong, Jill Hollingsworth, and J. Glenn Morris, Jr., "Emerging Foodborne Pathogens: Escherichia coli Escherichia coli 0157:H7 as a Model of Entry of a New Pathogen into the Food Supply of the Developed World," 0157:H7 as a Model of Entry of a New Pathogen into the Food Supply of the Developed World," Epidemiologic Reviews Epidemiologic Reviews 18, no. 1 (1996); and Robert V. Tauxe, "Emerging Foodborne Diseases: An Evolving Public Health Challenge," 18, no. 1 (1996); and Robert V. Tauxe, "Emerging Foodborne Diseases: An Evolving Public Health Challenge," Emerging Infectious Diseases Emerging Infectious Diseases 3, no. 4 (October/December 1997). Tauxe is the chief of the Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch at the CDC. Throughout this chapter, the figures on the annual incidence of various foodborne pathogens - as well as on the number of deaths, hospitalizations, and so on - come from the most thorough nationwide study of food poisonings to date: Paul S. Mead, Laurence s.l.u.tsker, Vance Dietz, Linda F. McCaig, Joseph S. Bresee, Craig Shapiro, Patricia M. Griffin, and Robert V. Tauxe, "Food-Related Illness and Death in the United States," 3, no. 4 (October/December 1997). Tauxe is the chief of the Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch at the CDC. Throughout this chapter, the figures on the annual incidence of various foodborne pathogens - as well as on the number of deaths, hospitalizations, and so on - come from the most thorough nationwide study of food poisonings to date: Paul S. Mead, Laurence s.l.u.tsker, Vance Dietz, Linda F. McCaig, Joseph S. Bresee, Craig Shapiro, Patricia M. Griffin, and Robert V. Tauxe, "Food-Related Illness and Death in the United States," Emerging Infectious Diseases Emerging Infectious Diseases 5, no. 5 (September/October 1999). 5, no. 5 (September/October 1999).

For the general reader, the two best books on foodborne pathogens are Spoiled: The Dangerous Truth about a Food Chain Gone Haywire Spoiled: The Dangerous Truth about a Food Chain Gone Haywire (New York: Basic Books, 1997) and (New York: Basic Books, 1997) and It Was Probably Something You Ate: A Practical Guide to Avoiding and Surviving Foodborne Illness It Was Probably Something You Ate: A Practical Guide to Avoiding and Surviving Foodborne Illness (New York: Penguin, 1999). Nicols Fox is the author of both, and she was extremely generous about sharing her unsettling knowledge with me. Dr. Neal D. Bernard, at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, told me in gruesome detail what America's livestock are being fed today. I am grateful to Lee Harding, Nancy Donley, and Mary Heersink - three people whose lives were changed in varying degrees by E. coli 0157:H7 - for speaking to me about their experiences. Donna Rosenbaum, one of the founders of Safe Tables Our Priority, provided much useful information about the meatpacking industry's role in outbreaks. Heather Klinkhamer, the former program director at STOP, graciously let me rummage through her files and borrow literally hundreds of them. (New York: Penguin, 1999). Nicols Fox is the author of both, and she was extremely generous about sharing her unsettling knowledge with me. Dr. Neal D. Bernard, at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, told me in gruesome detail what America's livestock are being fed today. I am grateful to Lee Harding, Nancy Donley, and Mary Heersink - three people whose lives were changed in varying degrees by E. coli 0157:H7 - for speaking to me about their experiences. Donna Rosenbaum, one of the founders of Safe Tables Our Priority, provided much useful information about the meatpacking industry's role in outbreaks. Heather Klinkhamer, the former program director at STOP, graciously let me rummage through her files and borrow literally hundreds of them.

David Theno and Tim Biela spent a day with me, explaining how currently available technology has helped Jack in the Box reduce the threat of foodborne illness. Steve Bjerklie shared his expertise on the meat industry's response to food safety issues. For the Hudson Beef outbreak and federal meat recall policy, I relied heavily on the transcripts of two USDA meetings: the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection meeting held in Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C., September 10, 1997, and the FSIS Recall Policy Public Meeting held in Arlington, Virginia, September 24, 1997. Jan Sharp, one of the U.S. attorneys in the Hudson Foods case, and Steve Kay, the editor of Cattle Buyers Weekly Cattle Buyers Weekly, were also helpful. David Kroeger, the president of the Midwest Council of the National Joint Council of Food Inspection Locals, spoke to me about the effects of the Streamlined Inspection System during the late 1980s and of the reduced inspections under today's new HACCP plans. The other USDA meat inspectors that I interviewed were equally informative but preferred not to be named. Felicia Nestor, at the Government Accountability Project, sent me a thick stack of USDA inspection reports given to her by federal whistleblowers. A straightforward account of the effort to create a science-based system of meat inspection can be found in Food Safety: Risk-Based Inspections and Microbial Monitoring Needed for Meat and Poultry Food Safety: Risk-Based Inspections and Microbial Monitoring Needed for Meat and Poultry (GAO Reports, June 1, 1994). The Center for Public Integrity has done a fine job investigating the meatpacking industry's close ties to members of Congress. One of its reports, (GAO Reports, June 1, 1994). The Center for Public Integrity has done a fine job investigating the meatpacking industry's close ties to members of Congress. One of its reports, Safety Last: The Politics of E. coli and other Food-Borne Pathogens Safety Last: The Politics of E. coli and other Food-Borne Pathogens (Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.: Center for Public Integrity, 1998) outlines how public health measures have in recent years been framed to suit the needs of well-funded private interests. (Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.: Center for Public Integrity, 1998) outlines how public health measures have in recent years been framed to suit the needs of well-funded private interests.

Page 193 called Sandra Gallegos: called Sandra Gallegos: For the investigation of Harding's illness, I relied on interviews with Lee Harding and Sandra Gallegos, as well as on Julie Collins, "Hudson Beef Recall: How the Link Was Discovered," For the investigation of Harding's illness, I relied on interviews with Lee Harding and Sandra Gallegos, as well as on Julie Collins, "Hudson Beef Recall: How the Link Was Discovered," Journal of Environmental Health Journal of Environmental Health, December 1, 1997; Tom Kenworthy, "Friendly Barbecue May Have Led to Meat Recall," Was.h.i.+ngton Post Was.h.i.+ngton Post, August 24, 1997; Tom Morgenthau, "Health Pros' Detective Work Helps Arrest Villain E. coli," Portland Oregonian Portland Oregonian, August 31, 1997; Ann Schrader, "Tracing E. coli to Meat Earns Awards for Workers," Denver Post Denver Post, September 18, 1997; and the transcript of the NAC Meat and Poultry Inspection Hearing, September 10, 1997.

194 Colorado was one of only six states: Colorado was one of only six states: Meat and Poultry Inspection Hearing transcript, p. 396. Meat and Poultry Inspection Hearing transcript, p. 396.

primarily to supply hamburgers for the Burger King chain: See Melanie Warner, "How Tyson Ate Hudson," See Melanie Warner, "How Tyson Ate Hudson," Fortune Fortune, October 27, 1997.Roughly 35 million pounds of ground beef: See Steve Kay, "Hudson Recall Was Larger Than Reported," Cattle Buyers Weekly Cattle Buyers Weekly, September 29, 1997. Kay's estimate may in fact be too conservative, since it is based on a production rate of 400,000 pounds a day. The Hudson Beef plant could actually produce twice that amount daily.

195 roughly 200,000 people are sickened: roughly 200,000 people are sickened: Derived from the annual numbers cited in Mead et al., "Food-Related Illness and Death": 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths. Derived from the annual numbers cited in Mead et al., "Food-Related Illness and Death": 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths.

more than a quarter of the American population: Ibid. Ibid.can precipitate long-term ailments: See James A. Lindsay, "Chronic Sequelae of Foodborne Disease," See James A. Lindsay, "Chronic Sequelae of Foodborne Disease," Emerging Infectious Diseases Emerging Infectious Diseases 3, no. 4 (October/December 1997). 3, no. 4 (October/December 1997).entirely new kinds of outbreaks are now occurring: See Tauxe, "Emerging Food-borne Diseases." See Tauxe, "Emerging Food-borne Diseases."

196 a newly emerged pathogen: a newly emerged pathogen: See Armstrong et al., "Emerging Foodborne Patho-gens." See Armstrong et al., "Emerging Foodborne Patho-gens."

thirteen large packinghouses now slaughter: Cited in James M. MacDonald and Michael Ollinger, "U.S. Meat Slaughter Consolidating Rapidly," Cited in James M. MacDonald and Michael Ollinger, "U.S. Meat Slaughter Consolidating Rapidly," USDA Food Review USDA Food Review, May 1,1997.more than a dozen other new foodborne pathogens: Cited in Tauxe, "Emerging Foodborne Diseases." Cited in Tauxe, "Emerging Foodborne Diseases."infectious agents that have not yet been identified: See "Food-Related Illness and Death." See "Food-Related Illness and Death."defective softball bats, sneakers, stuffed animals: See Consumer Product Safety Commission, press releases, June 1997June 1999. See Consumer Product Safety Commission, press releases, June 1997June 1999.

197 7.5 percent of the ground beef samples: 7.5 percent of the ground beef samples: The figures on ground beef contamination are from "Nationwide Federal Plant Raw Ground Beef Microbiological Survey, August 1993March 1994," United States Deartment of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Science and Technology, Microbiology Division, April 1996. The figures on ground beef contamination are from "Nationwide Federal Plant Raw Ground Beef Microbiological Survey, August 1993March 1994," United States Deartment of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Science and Technology, Microbiology Division, April 1996.

fatal in about one out of... cases: Mead et al., "Food-Related Illness and Death." Mead et al., "Food-Related Illness and Death.""a food for the poor": David Gerard Hogan, David Gerard Hogan, Selling 'Em by the Sack Selling 'Em by the Sack (New York: New York University Press, 1997), p. 22. (New York: New York University Press, 1997), p. 22."The hamburger habit is just about as safe": Quoted ibid., p. 32. Quoted ibid., p. 32.

198 "nothing but White Castle Hamburgers and water": "nothing but White Castle Hamburgers and water": By the end of the experiment the student was eating up to two dozen hamburgers a day. Quoted ibid., p. 33; Tennyson, By the end of the experiment the student was eating up to two dozen hamburgers a day. Quoted ibid., p. 33; Tennyson, Hamburger Heaven Hamburger Heaven, p. 24.

pork had been the most popular: Interview with James Ratchford, American Meat Inst.i.tute. Interview with James Ratchford, American Meat Inst.i.tute.almost half of the employment in American agriculture... annual revenues generated by beef: National Cattlemen's Beef a.s.sociation Fact Sheet. National Cattlemen's Beef a.s.sociation Fact Sheet.More than two-thirds of those hamburgers were bought: Cited in David Theno, "Raising the Bar to Ensure Safer Burgers," Cited in David Theno, "Raising the Bar to Ensure Safer Burgers," San Diego Union-Tribune San Die