{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Immigrant workers launch largest US meatpacking strike in 40 years","description":"3,800 workers and Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 members at the massive JBS beef processing plant in Greeley, CO walked off the job on an unfair labor practice strike on March 16. This is the first strike ever at the Greeley plant\u2014one of the largest in the country\u2014and it\u2019s the biggest meatpacking strike in the US since the 1985-86 strike at the Hormel plant in Austin, MN. As Caitlyn Clark and Lisa Xu report in Labor Notes, \u201cStrikers say JBS has been increasing the speed of the production line while cutting work hours from 40 a week to 35, squeezing out more work for less money\u2026 Workers are also demanding that the company stop charging them out-of-pocket costs for personal protective equipment like mesh vests and arm guards\u2014essential because they work with knives, saws, and other sharp, dangerous equipment.\u201d In this episode, we speak with Clark and Xu, who report from the JBS picket line and break down why this strike is so significant and what it will take for workers to win this fight against the largest beef processor in the US.    Guests:  Caitlyn Clark is a national organizer at Essential Workers for Democracy, an organization dedicated to rank-and-file member education and empowerment for UFCW members in grocery, meatpacking, and retail. Lisa Xu is a staff writer and organizer at Labor Notes.   Additional links\/info:  Caitlyn Clark & Lisa Xu, Labor Notes, \u201cIn 57 languages, meatpackers strike for the first time in 40 Years\u201d   Featured Music:  Jules Taylor, Working People Theme Song   Credits:  Audio Post-Production: Jules Taylor  ","author_name":"Working People","author_url":"http:\/\/workingpeople.libsyn.com\/website","html":"