Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
An independent secular organization with a history of connecting Jewish employers and trade unions has issued a strong statement against the Rubashkin family, owners of Agriprocessors, and in favor of proposed Orthodox Union sanctions against the plant.
“We wholeheartedly support the Orthodox Union when it stated that it would withdraw its kosher certification of the company within two weeks unless new management is hired,” said Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Jewish Labor Committee. “Whatever faith consumers maight have had in the current management is gone. It is time for the Rubashkins to step aside and allow responsible employers to run the plant and continue production to provide a quality product for consumers, including, of course, those in our community who follow kosher dietary laws.”
Appelbaum also expressed his belief that “this ain’t over.”
“We question now, as we did after the [May 12 immigration] raid, why it was that serious investigations into Agriprocessors’ negligence and lawlessness was preceded by — and delayed by — such a massive [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] raid,” he said. “It is possible that additional charges relating to violations of [the Occupational Safety and Health Administration] and [Environmental Protection Agency] regulations, as well as claims of sexual harassment and dangerous working conditions, may soon follow. We reiterate our hope that justice be done in these cases as well.”
The statements by the JLC come on the heels of charges against Agriprocessors and five members of management by the Iowa Attorney General. The charges, filed in Allamakee District Court, allege 9,311 violations of state child labor laws. A company spokesperson said the company acted in good faith regarding the employment documents that alleged minors presented when they applied for employment.
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