Rabbis Strike Briefly At Agriprocessors

From wcfcourier.com:

POSTVILLE — About 50 rabbis charged with supervising the kosher slaughter and processing of meat at Agriprocessors walked off the job Wednesday morning.

The rabbis reportedly took the action because of a decrease in pay since a May 12 immigration raid caused the meat processing plant to drastically reduce production.

“The rabbis were complaining that they didn’t have as much time for overtime and additional shifts,” said Menachem Lubinsky, a spokesman for Agriprocessors.

Rabbis play a crucial role at kosher meat plants like Agriprocessors because production cannot continue without their supervision.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency, a New York-based Jewish news service, reported the walk-off lasted 45 minutes.

Lubinsky acknowledged the issue of decreased pay, as well as increased time between work preformed and payment, has been brewing with rabbinical staff since the raid.

Former Agriprocessors CEO Sholom Rubashkin, who remains involved in the company, did not return a phone call requesting comment.

About Luke Ford

Raised a Seventh-Day Adventist at Avondale College in Australia, Luke Ford moved to California in 1977. He graduated from Placer High School in 1984, reported the news at KAHI/KHYL radio for three years, attended Sierra College and UCLA, was largely bedridden by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for six years, and converted to Judaism in 1993. From 1997-2007, Luke made his living from blogging. Living by Beverly Hills (Alexander90210.com), he now teaches the Alexander Technique (moving the way the body likes to move). Lessons cost $100 each and last about 45 minutes. In 2011, Luke completed a three-year teaching course at the Alexander Training Institute of Los Angeles. His personal Alexander Technique website is Alexander90210.com. Luke is the author of five books, including: » The Producers: Profiles in Frustration » Yesterday’s News Tomorrow: Inside American Jewish Journalism
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