HASTINGS, Neb. (KMTV) — Meatpacking plant workers filed a lawsuit Nov. 23 against Noah’s Ark Processors in Hastings. They are represented by the ACLU and a Scottsbluff attorney.
"Many, many months later, we’re still fighting for basic protections," said Rose Godinez, and ACLU lawyer. The suit seeks additional protections for workers at the beef processing plant.
The workers aren't named in the lawsuit for fear of retaliation.
“I told my supervisor that my eyes were hurting and that I had symptoms that were getting worse, and he basically told me to f-off and go back to work,” one employee said.
“People were scared, but (management) made it seem like it wasn’t a big deal…even when things got more serious, they didn’t care,” said another.
While the ACLU says it's focused on the Hastings plant, it says most plants across the state aren't meeting basic guidelines.
"The hope is that this case will give them a voice in the court to finally be heard," Godinez said, "to finally get these addressed and to save lives, which is what this case is about."
Noah's Ark Processors has not responded to a request for comment.
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