This bill focuses on making meatpacking and poultry processing plants safer and more humane places to work. It does this in several key ways. First, it funds more workplace safety inspectors through 2029 so OSHA can conduct more frequent inspections at these facilities. Second, it cracks down on "point systems" that some employers use to penalize workers for taking sick days or missing work—these systems often discourage workers from reporting injuries or taking necessary time off. Third, it strengthens protections for workers who speak up about safety problems, making it harder for employers to retaliate against them.

The bill also sets new safety standards specifically for meat and poultry plants. Employers can no longer waive safety requirements related to production line speeds or health inspections. OSHA must create new rules addressing repetitive strain injuries (ergonomic issues) and COVID-19 prevention in these facilities. Plants must report COVID-19 cases within seven days, and workers have the right to have a representative present during safety inspections.

Beyond workplace safety, the bill provides money through 2032 to upgrade meat and poultry processing facilities themselves, supports local and regional food systems, and requires that beef, pork, and dairy products be labeled with their country of origin so consumers know where their food comes from. Overall, the bill aims to protect workers from injury and illness while also giving consumers more information about their food.

Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act of 2023

Booker, Cory A.

Protecting America's Meatpacking Workers Act of 2023 This bill addresses workplace conditions and safety with a particular focus on meat and poultry processing establishments and makes other changes to agricultural programs and activities. Generally, the bill provides funding through FY2029 for hiring additional Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors and related activities. It also restricts an employer's use of certain attendance policies under which a worker is assessed points for absences with progressive discipline imposed as points accumulate. Additionally, the bill expands protections for workers who exercise their rights under occupational safety and health laws and regulations. This includes specific protections and procedures for workers of meat and poultry processing establishments. The bill expands workplace safety and health requirements that apply to meat and poultry processing establishments, including by prohibiting waivers (subject to limited exceptions) related to line speeds and inspections. Additionally, OSHA must issue standards for these establishments that address, for example, ergonomic program management and preventing occupational exposure to COVID-19. OSHA must also (1) establish, within seven days, a process for establishments to report COVID-19 information; and (2) publish certain regulations regarding a workers' representative accompanying an OSHA inspector during inspections of an establishment. The bill provides funding through FY2032 for, and imposes additional conditions on recipients of, grants to improve meat and poultry processing facilities. Further, the bill increases funding for a program that supports regional and local food systems. It also requires country-of-origin labeling of beef, pork, and dairy products.