Meatpacking: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

The pandemic has thrown into high relief some of the longstanding issues surrounding working conditions in meatpacking facilities. John Oliver explains why greater oversight is needed, and how we can go about getting it.
Connect with Last Week Tonight online...
Subscribe to the Last Week Tonight KZbin channel for more almost news as it almost happens: / lastweektonight
Find Last Week Tonight on Facebook like your mom would: lastweektonight
Follow us on Twitter for news about jokes and jokes about news: lastweektonight
Visit our official site for all that other stuff at once: www.hbo.com/lastweektonight

[@caseyb1346]

"we're family" is one of the biggest red flag phrases there is.

[@michaelh411]

Exactly, my first day working at Sprouts grocery store I was told exactly that, and at that moment I knew my time was short there. It's insulting hearing it and expecting to believe it!

[@johnmburu3495]

And by "family", We mean "not really."

[@GOODNOIGHT]

If the job application has that phrase and also phrases like Were looking for a rockstar RUN

[@owhueee2737]

*kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZiYeaOPbtWod5I*

[@airplanes_aren.t_real]

They say that because they want you to think of them as a person of trust A person you wouldn't rat out about minor things A person who would be there no matter what Companies only see you as an asset and should be treated as such Hell there is an entire sector called "human resources"

[@idrabohm3678]

The fact that this show will never run out of material is depressing

[@bryanmusiko1228]

yeah, truth hurts

[@zacsino876]

That’s why we deserve extinction. Let’s die.

[@zephyrdrake1826]

oof 100

[@calvinthefly]

you spelled "capitalism" wrong.

[@michaelestis6685]

@@calvinthefly Theres a good chance forced labor made the phone you're watching this on and made your hollow posturing possible.... jus' sayin'

[@adamclarke403]

If you fine them a fraction of a percent, don't be surprised when they give a fraction of a fuck. That is brilliant

[@buddyroach]

hell yeah. i subbed because of that

[@mathieup5024]

Reminds me of how Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” was about workers mistreatment and corruption in meat packing, but consumer takeaway was that the conditions were gross: it caused a push for food health standards more than it did a push for better labour conditions.

[@Cupofgo]

Absolutely.

[@gabi2603]

though the Meat Inspection Act was better than nothing

[@aceous99]

now lawmakers pretty much reversed the rules and making things worse

[@iamseamonkey6688]

also upton sinclair was a socialist so alot of people initially didn't believe him.

[@lordcawdorofmordor2549]

@@iamseamonkey6688 He did embellish some details for the sake of a more compelling story, but otherwise, he was spot on

[@angelchama1874]

"If the penalty for a crime is a fine, then that law only exist for the lower class"

[@mediawarrior5957]

final fantasy tactics

[@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1]

Or maybe the penalty isn't as harsh because the crimes committed by companies aren't as severe as the actions by murderers/rapists/gang members, and because companies are the backbone of a civilization.

[@ericmueser6950]

@@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1 Over 200 meat packing workers dead? That sounds pretty fucking bad to me.

[@speg2368]

@@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1 civilization existed for thousands of years without companies 😂😂😂 backbone my ass. Trade.. trade is the backbone of civilization. That does not require companies.

[@DomenBremecXCVI]

A fine is well... fine... As long as it's appropriate. Let's say you have income-based fines in percentages (like Finland has for (at least) driving-related tickets).

[@TheLightningRound]

Just rename this show to: John Oliver: exposing American industry one week at a time

[@Oney105]

Yep that’s been that mans MO Since June 2014.

[@philipreynolds5088]

Truly an unregulated capitalist Nightmare

[@moritzrichter2779]

Talking about the symptoms of capitalism without addressing the underlying problem tonight with John Oliver

[@asianblockguy]

then get sued for it because a geriatric hobgoblin got exposed for their shitty behavior.

[@magnusnordstrom3927]

Problem is, it's already very exposed. It's great that Mr Oliver is highlighting it, absolutlely great, but even I who live in Sweden has known about some of these issues in the US for years. It's been in movies, documentaries and the news countless times, but much like usually, most people upset right now probably won't care enough to remember about it in a few weeks or a couple of months. I'm not trying to be cynical, it just makes me pretty damn sad. 😟

[@sweetlorikeet]

When a company says "We treat our workers as family" what they mean is "We think you should prioritize us above everything else in your life in exchange for the bare minimum and we don't believe you deserve boundaries"

[@stoodmuffinpersonal3144]

I was hoping he would say "abusive" rather than "dysfunctional." My family is a little dysfunctional. That's fucking abuse. Wide spread, and massive.

[@sethb1689]

"And if you don't we will disown you on the spot and then talk shit about you"

[@someguy2135]

->Then do something about it! Boycott meat! ->One more reason... ...we should all be vegan.

[@mollusckscramp4124]

Boom, this right here

[@tristanflynn4014]

@@someguy2135 Even if everyone was vegan, this stuff would still go on, just in vegetable packing facilities.

[@Gabryal77]

I would not want to be in a knife fight with someone who can process a chicken in 2 seconds

[@Bjornvetr]

You're still trying to open your EDC folding knife, and your leg bones are already showing.

[@cherrygrabber7172]

Knife goes in, guts come out!

[@maghenshaw8717]

Little hidden gem right there....

[@bbur35]

I do bone chuck 😆 hi.

[@WalterTheWalrus]

By the time you’ve drawn yours, you’ll already have been deboned

[@yahyafati]

"Surely this is NOT in our country" America is like two different countries: one for the rich, and one for the poor. This reaction shows that perfectly.

[@athenasuperheldin1017]

And also one for the White people and the other for minorities

[@yahyafati]

@@athenasuperheldin1017 Definitely

[@fakename3076]

And one for democrats and one for republicans

[@spittylama]

Land of the extreme opposites

[@Marijuanifornia]

The US legalized "Marihuana" to make equipment for the military during World War II. But we weren't told about that, so everyone keeps paying billions of dollars in taxes each year to fund the war on drugs. Watch the 1942 USDA film Hemp For Victory and then get mad enough to force Congress to pass the Hemp For Victory Act of 2019 so that this putrid injustice will finally end, along with climate change.

[@mokvid]

"And If you fine a company a fraction of a percent of their profits, don't be surprised when they carry on only giving a fraction of a fuck about the welfare of their workers." - John Oliver

[@queenofmoons720]

Soon the fines just become part of doing business and less of a deterrent.

[@UnderfundedScientist]

Solid gold

[@drunkensailor3736]

Fear of corporate greed is also what's driving tge farmer's protests in India who fear an agricorporation takeover. There's actually a pretty good analysis ofbthe situation there: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3K7pJ-VdrV4iZo&ab_channel=MyTake

[@TheEyeball37]

Yeah. That is what he said.

[@edwardroh89]

not limited to meat packing. TEFLON, and recently Chase Bank with manipulation of markets. and many many more. People just don't realize it. These people need to get jailed, not fined.

[@nickreece9361]

I was expecting a soul crushing bit about animals, but got an equally soul crushing bit about factory workers. This show never fails to keep me informed and depressed

[@alexmol6268]

Best way to effect change in both senarios is to go vegan. It's so much easier than I first thought it would be

[@historicalaccuracy15]

@@alexmol6268 Since January 2020 I've been mostly plant based after seeing Game Changers (not a perfect doc. but definitely helped dispell any doubt I still had about healthy veganism) and looking into the industry more and its... Horrifying. Still not fully vegan yet but I gotta say knowing what I know now I hard cringe looking back at the time I let myself jump on the anti-vegan bandwagon even a little. Here I was just five years ago laughing at cringey bacon memes and thinking vegans were just dummies that didn't understand the circle of life and all that time those obnoxious ass vegan fucks were actually right all along... Strongly suggest anyone reading this comment that has Netflix to watch: -The Game Changers -Seaspiracy (about the seafood industry) -Dominion (that one's a free youtube documentary that shows the worst of the worst of the worst, problem is most of it is perfectly legal to do in most US states, so then mix that with the existence of animal ag gag laws....) ...Needless to say that shit's a major eye opener

[@AnymMusic]

@@historicalaccuracy15 I still love meat, but eat vegetarian about 4 days a week at minimum, and when I do eat meat it's nicer because it's not the "normal" everyday thing I eat anymore. I likely won't ever go vegan, but hey if someone wants to go vegan, more power to em.

[@SlapstickGenius23]

It’s actually a lot easier to go flexitarian. I have a varied diet.

[@icecubeeli1468]

same XD

[@greg6500]

Hewlett Packard called me "family" two weeks before outsourcing all of us to India.

[@cykr0s]

Have you seen the state of nursing homes? Sounds like exactly how we treat family these days.

[@salmanyadgar]

@@cykr0s moral dilemma created by distancing one's self from religion. pick one and stick with it. don't cherry-pick or wiggle your way out of it.

[@frodocruz33]

I find it fascinating how almost every problem starts with "it's controlled by these few companies" in a country that big with over 300 million people.

[@therealdeal3672]

@Umbrella Corporation extreme capitalism. Bad news for most people.

[@billiamc1969]

It is also fascinating how we run our 21st century society with massively outdated 17th century documents that were meant to be continuously re-written to reflect an increasing population and needs.

[@Jchasy]

I live in SC where MoH recipient Kyle C is being mistreated by Tyson Chicken

[@rachelciel3330]

I'm always fascinated how *american* america is. You guys always somehow gave total authority to a certain number of companies rather than keeping it flexible. Capitalism at its finest.

[@fenzelian]

Predates capitalism by a long time. The whole farming industry used to be controlled by just a few families in each global region who forced people to do agricultural labor on the same plot of land for their whole lives if not by outright enslaving them and managed the shifting of their vast land holdings through elaborate intermarriage, intermediary, and inheritance schemes. People often thought they were working for themselves but they had to give the farm boss the authority of God on Earth to do it. In a lot of cultures before capitalism the farm boss used to publicly murder people and tell everybody that it was necessary to ensure sun or rain or good crop yields. And that’s as recent as a few hundred years ago. Capitalism broke this up for a couple hundred years - and the Sea People also broke it up for a thousand years or so back in the Bronze Age - but in agriculture there are such huge economies of scale that it tends to consolidate. And farm consolidation and central ownership gets even more dominant when societies theatrically reject capitalism through revolution (only to return to it later, but with no more independent farmers).

[@sarahoshea9603]

Coming from a girl who's worked in slaughterhouses for the last 15yrs,Thank you for this story. We work in terrible conditions, cold and wet all day with bare hands in ice and under running water. Once the leadman starts killing everyone works at breakneck speed until it's done, so that bathrm break thing doesn't surprise me. The company doesn't pay to heat the building in the VT winters. When company housing oil tank broke we were responsible for getting wood for the simple woodstove in the kitchen we depended on to heat the 8rm farmhouse from 1800s. When the water pipes busted they didn't fix it, we've been 3yrs now without water in the house. Sometimes they don't pay us and sometimes when they do, the checks bounce. A coworker got 2 fingertips ripped off in the plucker and they refused to help with his medical bills. They pay the leadman who's been there 30yrs less than $15/hr. This isn't even a corporation I worked for(finally left last yr), it's a "small family owned farm"; that's part of how they get ppl to put up with it. The owners use a combination of pretending they consider u family, making empty promises, and passive aggressive guilt-tripping to keep employees with low self-esteem working. They also refuse to pay unemployment and will fight you, I found that out when I left to avoid sexual harassment. I have a hundred horrifying examples that someday I'll expose. Meatpackers need a union!

[@xXxXboxROXxX]

Have y'all considered forming an armed union?

[@tamaralee7455]

OMG!!

[@IYttriumI]

Do you eat animals, milk and eggs?

[@mariawoo843]

@@xXxXboxROXxX If they try, they'll probably get fired first.

[@mortuos557]

Sure hope you didn't use your real name here...

[@gabrielleribbons7359]

Managers describing their companies like a "family" is the biggest red flag ever.

[@lala170623]

also michael scott

[@gabrielleribbons7359]

@@lala170623 yeah true...at least Michael Scott gets better over time. No manager I've ever worked for has had that level of character development 😂

[@bosmerfromcanada3878]

How can you be so cynical? Gabrielle, it is a family. A crime family, most likely. Just the the following families: Colombo, Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, Lucchese, Patriarca, House Bolton, House Lannister, House Frey.

[@gabrielleribbons7359]

@@bosmerfromcanada3878 you had me in the first half, I'm not gonna lie - I was about to get real mad 😂

[@SlapstickGenius23]

The corporate family is actually a lot closer to a crime family than it is to various more typical types of families.

[@kapjm9]

John, Your work should be an every high school history and/or sociology class. They might have to bleep out passionate your F bombs, but you’re such a good teacher.

[@thekneethief3288]

My highschool social teacher introduced me to him! That teacher had a massive impact on me and this is a very lasting part.

[@indigolilacs8558]

I just want to say, thank you so much for covering this topic. My dad, an immigrant, worked at a meat packing facility for 23 years, and when he finally was experiencing extreme pain and swelling in his hand from the deboning process and other related injuries, they fired him after an on site doctor said his injuries were not work related. My father sued the company and won, but he now has the live out his years in pain. Edit: Thank you for all of the kind comments and wishes in the replies ❤️

[@Human_Earthling]

I am really sorry for your dad. But I am glad he won!

[@simonwilms4915]

I'm so happy to hear that he won

[@DiahRhiaJones]

You should do other peoples loved ones, and the animals, a favor and go vegan and stop supporting these horrific industries.

[@Ward413]

@@DiahRhiaJones There are other ways to consume meat. Also, not everyone can sustain a vegan diet. Meat has been in our diet for centuries. I also highly doubt you and your friends who feel so superior over us piece of shit meat eaters are ready to give up your iPhones, your vehicles, your jewelry, etc. Most industries have issues - welcome to globalization and American capitalism. Just because you don't eat meat doesn't mean you're saving the world. So spare us the noble bullshit.

[@CharlieWhitaker]

@@Ward413 Woah someone's triggered... I'm pretty sure they were just making a suggestion. And I mean it's not a bad one. Even just cutting down meat consumption to once a week helps the environment, animal welfare, and employee welfare.

[@vanimelda4]

Cheap meat isn't cheap. The actual price is just being paid by someone else.

[@nerfherder4284]

I don't understand people trying to get the "cheapest" food. It is literally what your body is made of. Unless of course you are dirt poor then I get it.

[@Phytologics]

Very well put, you hit the nail on the head.

[@marquispalmer9]

Pkzbin.info/www/bejne/e2PGnatvmcpjpZI

[@elitheothercomputerguy5436]

@@nerfherder4284 that's why we need to spread the wealth out, so that people don't need to get the great value oatmeal or go to mcdonalds for the third time in a week just to survive.

[@elyssay3157]

That can be said about everything, right? Someone always pays the price.

[@zachwilson7838]

As a news producer, the work that Last Week Tonight does is seriously impressive. Not just comedically, but journalistically. These are the things people across America need to know are happening in their back yards.

[@dwells7747]

One sided biased propaganda is now passing as journalism? Wow, low bar I guess

[@snooks5607]

@@dwells7747 I often dislike the forced "humor" and see that the writers add some more sensationalist stuff just for a better story. still, call it what you will, they do push important often ignored subjects which I'd bet most of the audience would've barely heard of without this show. in this day and age of social networks and media monopolies I'm willing to call it journalism.

[@erebusvonmori8050]

@@dwells7747 Here's a hint, sometimes things are one sided because the other side is bollocks.

[@duncanvisdavis1907]

As someone who's lived in Texas for most of his life the phrase "I don't think he was trying to give me a Christmas present" is the most Texas way of saying he tried to bribe me.

[@KKMfan60]

Both my father and sister work at meatpacking plants and they’ve told me a lot of this, but I’m really glad John is talking about it so it can become a national conversation.

[@mattgrele6318]

why dont u get a job and help them out

[@KKMfan60]

@@mattgrele6318 I already have a job thanks ^^

[@rohitr9400]

@@mattgrele6318 , what would "helping them out" do? The OP and family will be working still the same amount..

[@ResultsLike]

@@mattgrele6318 Sorry, but this kind of comment is disgusting. To be this persumptious ...

[@MungkaeX]

@@mattgrele6318 Why would that make a difference in the broader conversation about the treatment of workers in meatpacking plants? Clearly removing 1 worker every two days due to injury or death hasn’t changed that. Why would you think removing two more workers from that system would change anything?

[@kathrynmyrick1739]

Whenever a company describes its employees as “family,” you know something’s up. Edit: kzbin.info4vqTcNHpqK4

[@chadmiettunen]

Early in the pandemic my employer, UPS, referred to us as "heroes." A token gesture that did nothing to make me feel safer. Now they don't even bother doing that.

[@maxxxbeecher77]

We had a rough week where I work with the winter storm blowing through, several of us from different stores banned together, gave team members food to take home for their family’s, helped at other stores when our stores were out of power etc. it was that moment we realized it’s the people at the store level that make something a family, not someone at a desk several states away.

[@scottdavis4388]

Sounds like something a slave owner would say

[@bobdobbz9334]

Or a "team"

[@gossamer999]

My boss just called myself and my associates a family. >.>

[@JRDawihammer]

Not just in the US, Canada has the same issues. Alberta’s meat packing plant was the largest outbreak there too.

[@neuralmute]

Here in Canada we refer to Alberta as "Texas North" so...

[@drunkvegangal8089]

This is true. But here in Canada we have health care, regular COVID relief cheques, and relatively simple unemployment insurance. Canada is not perfect - not even close. The best solution is to stop eating meat (milk and eggs too) or at least cut down substantially.

[@renatocorvaro6924]

@@neuralmute Don't be ridiculous, we don't call it that. We call it "Winter Alabama".

[@neuralmute]

@@renatocorvaro6924 Never heard that one before, but thanks for the laugh! May I kindly ask what province you're bringing this from? (Curious hoser is curious...;D)

[@ALLE1NAD]

@@renatocorvaro6924 I've NEVER heard that one.. but omg that's hilarious

[@Nerobyrne]

one thing I've realized is that when a corporate representative talks as if you're his family, it's not good. They use that as an excuse to treat you like family: Get free labor from you, and for you not to complain about getting abused.

[@clockworkkirlia7475]

That's... really not how families should work either, but I get what you mean.

[@crimson4066]

You think the way they treat humans are bad? Good god- if people knew how animals were treated... it is literally hell on Earth Torture and abuse are NORMAL in animal factories (99% of meat produced in America comes from factory farms) Mutilated, force-fed, separated and abused from birth until they're slaughtered (if they don't die first from the atrocious settings they're trapped in- abusing anti-biotics is why factories are creating so many superbugs)

[@saschamayer4050]

Not every family is great. So yeah, they are like a very dysfunctional family. 😏

[@someguy2135]

->Then do something about it! Boycott meat! ->One more reason... ...we should all be vegan.

[@Nerobyrne]

@@someguy2135 in what universe does that logically lead to and end to wage slavery or the abuse of workers?

[@Benhardyfan]

When I drive recklessly and kill a person, I get charged with manslaughter and face a prison sentence. When companies act recklessly and kill a person, no one is convicted of anything and they get a small ass fine.

[@cezarcatalin1406]

Justice under crapitalism working as intended...

[@justmenate]

You need to form an LLC and start lobbying.

[@joenervlus3239]

These factorys treat animals more worse than any criminal in prison, I cannot understand humanity

[@babybirdhome]

@@joenervlus3239 I’d like to think you understand humanity just fine - it’s the lack of humanity that you don’t understand. At least that’s what it is for me.

[@shaunakwarty]

Yet corporate personhood still exists somehow. Companies shouldn't be able to get the advantages of being a person but skip the disadvantages.

[@vietnamd0820]

Upton Sinclair’s book “The Jungle” came out in 1906...over 100 years later, and conditions for workers in the meat industry are still terrible.

[@Ananamitron]

I was hoping I wasn't the only one who immediately thought of "The Jungle."

[@Tustin2121]

Growing up with talk radio, I was told that book was communist propaganda, using the meatpacking industry as little more than an excuse to indoctrinate people with socialist clap trap. (Also, in right wing circles, communism and socialism are synonyms.) With an introduction like that, is it any wonder that the book has been written off and not heeded by those who might be able to actually do something about it?

[@AvgJane19]

@@Tustin2121 honestly, for group of ppl that constantly complain about the media not being trustworthy, they have a terrible habit of accepting conservative media talking points at face value. We need more independent thinking that's data and evidence driven.

[@BullScrapPracEff]

These conditions aren't any better in the farming industry...

[@rah938]

I’m glad I scrolled down far enough to see this post. i was about to make the same comment. Sinclair’s book made a deep impression on me when I read it 50 years ago.

[@kaneunmaskedal]

Wouldn't forcing someone to sign a waiver to sue before getting medial attention is the definition of under duress

[@HeyJinx]

We need to bring back anarcho-syndicalism

[@Nerobyrne]

yes but capitalists will argue that you could've just not signed that, so it was voluntary.

[@joshuacox534]

@@HeyJinx except the problem with that is that, while yes, co-ops are good and more of them would help, they still operate mostly under capitalism, and is close to mutualism, which mutualism offers no answers to or protections from monopoly guild wars

[@HeyJinx]

@@joshuacox534 that's not mutualism. Read a book or something

[@joshuacox534]

@@HeyJinx no kidding? that's why i said it's close to mutualism. i didn't say it was the same. both mutualism and anarcho-syndicalism are anarchist approaches to the economy, and both may work temporarily but not long term.

[@freakingfangirl2712]

Back in December a friend of mine lost his arm working in a meat packing plant, altho we’re in Canada. The conditions are awful and I’m glad someone is talking about it.

[@koo2slick747]

For people who saying immigrant are taking over this country , remember they’re the one working in these factories, where most of the American refuse to work in. I’m myself an immigrant and my mother worked in Tyson for many years dealing with horrible conditions. And No they don’t get pay enough for the job they do.

[@huntersw2]

This is why i am against immigration they dont know the jobs they will most likely get are horrible and the nation is ungrateful for what immigrants have to put up

[@rucksoclown7696]

Its awful these companies are permitted to prey on immigrants because they cannot seek legal help. Its worse to see Americans deciding to STOP immigration instead of deciding to make this a country that will welcome them, and even help them when they are in need. “Lets just close the borders, we dont need to improve the system at all” is a terrible view to take

[@joypomeroy1452]

Underrated comment.

[@Barabel22]

@@huntersw2 then who will do the work, hmm? They can’t just automate poultry work in 1 day, it would take years of designing, manufacturing and than installing machines to do the job duties.

[@ciello___8307]

@@huntersw2 thats a terrible reason to be against it. These immigrants come here to work. Yes, i wish they have better opportunities but still, let them have the opportunity to work

[@CJChicP]

I hate that people act like “this isn’t our country” due to their own ignorance of EXACTLY how the US is. Welcome to the party ma’am!

[@coryblake5623]

and we've been this way since inception.. we outlawed slavery but we still prey on the weak and essentially make slaves of them..

[@rebeccacarlson9166]

And we continue to vote in corrupt politicians who lie very well!!

[@malvadoboy]

Moar like "Welcome to the party, comrade!" amirite?

[@kcegr]

the sad part is that the US is not alone, just check Germany, basically the same shit at the meat factories.... :(

[@lizardguyNA]

No excuse to not change it, which you seemed to forget to say.

[@margaretpettipas557]

I literally fell to the floor to finally hear someone in the mainstream acknowledge the animal agriculture here and in the "the next pandemic" video THANK YOU OMG I'm dedicating my whole career to this and no one talks about it. we HAVE to change how we interact with animals.

[@someguy2135]

Be sure to watch John's video about chicken farming on this same channel.

[@someguy2135]

The benefits of switching to a purely plant based diet are amazing. 1-Your own health (vegans are less likely to get several deadly chronic diseases) 2-Helping to end animal agriculture would reduce the chance of another pandemic & other zoonotic diseases 3-Helping to end animal ag would reduce the chance of the development of an antibiotic resistant pathogen. 4-Animal ag wastes a huge amount of fresh water 5-Animal ag is a major cause of water pollution 6-Animal ag is a major cause of deforestation 7-Animal ag increases PTSD and spousal abuse in the people who work in slaughterhouses 8-Animal ag is a major cause of the loss of habitat and biodiversity 9-Animal welfare, obviously 10- It is the single most effective way for each of us to fight climate change and environmental degradation. 11- Longer lifespan. 12- Healthier weight (vegans were the only dietary group in the Adventist Studies that had an average BMI in the recommended range.) 13- A vegan world would save 8 million human lives a year, and $1.5 trillion in health care costs (Oxford Study) Links for some of these are at my channel under "About."

[@someguy2135]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@yanamclaughlin1644]

YES.

[@johndanielson3777]

John is a truly compassionate human being.

[@sachinraghavan4556]

He's out here supporting animal farming.

[@shenanitims4006]

I love that the one host notes, “I get people need jobs...” without pointing out that the plant owners should be held to account for the horrid conditions, not the workers for having to do that in order to survive.

[@DiahRhiaJones]

Where do you think they get their money from? They get it from YOU.

[@elihenley6982]

It’s a disgusting culture that loves the thought of having to do hard work in order to get half a living wage. What do politicians (mainly conservative) say constantly to criticize or slander their opponents? “This man has never had a hard days work in his life”. Yeah, he studied law, and is now running for elected office, probably one of the better avenues to public service than digging ditches and slicing chicken on conveyor belts.

[@rai4119]

I think she was privileged enough to not even comprehend that there are certain workplaces that don't allow bathroom breaks

[@redwastaken3363]

@@elihenley6982 Absolutely, that is the kind of attitude we need in America.

[@thedapperdolphin1590]

The conservative defense for this shit is “The employees provide jobs, so we can’t blame them.” Ignoring how shitty the conditions of the jobs are or how low the wages are.

[@giga-chicken]

"Put a box on your head" is among the most ridiculous things I've heard today. They're literally trying to fool the OSHA inspector the same way I rob a store in Skyrim.

[@Wisegirl6521]

I can’t believe the inspector actually wore the box

[@lorenzocesar6519]

today..? i turn to last week tonight every weekend to hear about the most ridiculous idiotic things I've heard in my entire life. it's cynic, really.

[@wildweav]

@@Wisegirl6521 He didn't say whether the inspector wore the box or not. I doubt that they did. These companies will just keep paying fines which is why federal prison time needs to be implemented for OSHA and SEC violations.

[@nfzeta128]

They do it snake style.

[@Ervgotti1985]

Putting a box on has saved me at various times in metal gear solid games.

[@zb3495]

Nothing tells you to run faster than being told at an interview that we’re “family.”

[@custommoney6190]

30 years. That man gave up 30 years of his life and they sold him out over being too cheap to follow safety protocol. My chest hurts.

[@someguy2135]

->Then do something about it! Boycott meat! ->One more reason... ...we should all be vegan.

[@JatPhenshllem]

@@someguy2135 Bleugh

[@someguy2135]

@@JatPhenshllem Your case against veganism is admirably concise, but for some reason, I remain unconvinced.

[@someguy2135]

@@JatPhenshllem More reasons? The benefits of switching to a purely plant based diet include... 1-Your own health (vegans are less likely to get several deadly chronic diseases) 2-Helping to end animal agriculture would reduce the chance of another pandemic & other zoonotic diseases 3-Helping to end animal ag would reduce the chance of the development of an antibiotic resistant pathogen. 4-Animal ag wastes a huge amount of fresh water 5-Animal ag is a major cause of water pollution 6-Animal ag is a major cause of deforestation 7-Animal ag increases PTSD and spousal abuse in the people who work in slaughterhouses 8-Animal ag is a major cause of the loss of habitat and biodiversity 9-Animal welfare, obviously 10- It is the single most effective way for each of us to fight climate change and environmental degradation. 11- Longer lifespan. 12- Healthier weight (vegans were the only dietary group in the Adventist Studies that had an average BMI in the recommended range.) 13- A vegan world would save 8 million human lives a year, and $1.5 trillion in health care costs (Oxford Study) Links for some of these are at my channel under "About."

[@JatPhenshllem]

@@someguy2135 Nah. My only fears are full time veganism. I don't like meat all the time. So I like it in moderation. And thank you for that comprehensive list, it is definitely impressive.

[@fireballtp]

I love it when someone tells me Unions and labor laws are no longer needed in this country.

[@ryankarl8472]

Haha.. sarcasm

[@polarknight5376]

If a company could make money off of torturing children, they would invent horrifying new machines and techniques to do it in the most efficient way possible.

[@MrLoobu]

Those people are the enemy or at least work for them

[@SirDoofus0]

@@polarknight5376 Then they would claim the development of those machines as a tax write off, and charge the parents of the children for their services via debt collection

[@sebastianwallin3726]

Who would have thought that people could benefit against oppression by uniting to fight it. Almost as if every tyrant ever removed from power was done by this exact thing. Almost as if democracy in my country Denmark was a result of people uniting in the active process of removing authority from the monarch and establish a democracy where the people could vote on the people among them whom they believed was fitting for the authority to rule the country.

[@confusedcustomer7960]

"we are a family here and can talk about everything" around the world, code for: we don't want a union, don't you dare to ask for more rights!

[@alexmeyjes5533]

trust but verify. I am a big fan Mr John Oliver , but please remind people to get more information before they join in . I have , and here Oliver is right in the particulars ! What can be done about it? NO IDEA

[@edh2246]

@@alexmeyjes5533 There needs to be unions.

[@trendingtens468]

Let's see how many subscribers would I get from this comment will you help me? Current: 760

[@oceania8280]

@@alexmeyjes5533 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXuWaJyIlruNibM

[@ajsoltani]

@@trendingtens468 Someone’s trying to use the plight of meatpackers to further their own agenda

[@Rickinsf]

"We're family...until I think you've been talking to a union organizer."

[@dwells7747]

Unions are the scum of the earth.

[@aislingoda6026]

@@dwells7747 i'm sorry you think that, hopefully you come out of that mindset soon

[@dwells7747]

@@aislingoda6026 they absolutely are, especially in the public sector, why should a union be allowed to bully the tax payer? Answer that one

[@camaradecarter]

@@dwells7747 smh

[@LucidDreamer54321]

You should do a story about the working conditions of nurses - especially nurses who work in hospitals.

[@Grooveboxonthebeattho]

Me: Oh yay, a new john Oliver! Me, 19 minutes later: god i'm depressed.

[@henrybelman7424]

that is me every monday

[@justinwatson1510]

Join the socialist party. Life is less depressing when you’re fighting for yourself, your family, and your community.

[@Grooveboxonthebeattho]

is it too much to ask for companies to have a moral compass? to realize that profit and employee satisfaction can co-exist?

[@FutureCommentary1]

@@Grooveboxonthebeattho Are we all willing to NOT buy the cheapest products? Are we ready to just not eat meat? Remember how the beef industry sued Oprah when she said (after a similar report) "This has stopped be cold from eating another burger"

[@4isahappyfamily]

Every. Single. Time.

[@nomethodonlymadness9528]

After 4 jobs that were borderline abusive, I've made it a rule. At the interview I will ask "how does this company feel about their employees?". If the answer involves the word "family" anywhere in it, im not taking the job. Family means that they expect you to drop everything for them. They will chew you up and spit you out and then move on to a new poor fool without a second thought. It means they will fire you for the smallest slight and make up some bullshit reason so you can't fight back. If you can, avoid any place that calles their employees family.

[@trendingtens468]

Let's see how many subscribers would I get from this comment will you help me? Current: 760

[@Sledhead]

Let's see how many subscribers this comment can get me!

[@garysinise9433]

thank you my darling you are really welcome to my humble heart

[@lazergoat8855]

The ghost Upton Sinclaire: “wait a sec? we've been here before haven't we?”

[@BakuganBrawler211]

The Jungle should be required reading I haven’t read it yet but it’s definitely up next.

[@MrSthomas423]

This genuinely made me shed a tear for those people. How could anyone treat a human being like that? It's modern slavery.

[@user-ow6sn2gz2z]

it’s capitalism

[@flyinglack]

@@user-ow6sn2gz2z this factory need some automation too, the thing is too fast for a human.

[@dwells7747]

No it’s not. Do you need a lesson on slavery?

[@peacekeeperbabe]

Yep...in classic slavery; slaves have value b/c there is a cost 2 replace them. With modern slavery; it's better for (profits) 2 get new employees that maintain the ones u have...

[@dwells7747]

@@peacekeeperbabe you seriously don’t see a difference between slavery that went on for centuries around the world and the modern day work environment? Low skilled workers are just that, low skilled. But that doesn’t mean they are low skilled forever, everyone starts from somewhere

[@uknown6t669]

"We don't need unions anymore" they said. "Their just taking your money" they said.

[@Meshakhad]

What we really need is One Big Union.

[@dominicidecorvus]

@@Meshakhad did I find a fellow wobbly?

[@owhueee2737]

*kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZiYeaOPbtWod5I*

[@jasmynjohnson4346]

@@Meshakhad Comrade.. 🥺

[@011keepers]

Unions are a waste and just as corrupt

[@Mechanicsan]

It’s so nice that since Trump’s loss John moved from “how shitty is everything in politics” to “how shitty is everything else besides politics that we didn’t have a chance to cover for about four years”

[@IAmTheBugInsideYou]

Notice how Texas is a very prominent problem for some reason as well lately, I wonder why...

[@joelhicks5468]

Not that much has improved in politics. We still have children in cages at the border, a price ceiling on insulin was cancelled, they've restarted support for the Saudi war crimes in Yemen, and the Biden admin is approving new drilling. Also, no relief checks yet and Biden refuses to cancel student loan debt he can absolutely cancel. But yeah, sure, perhaps some things have improved.

[@connoraltier7081]

@@joelhicks5468 Cancelling student loan debt would be a disasterous policy lol

[@jokuvaan5175]

@@joelhicks5468 Well maybe not improved but they are not going worse as fast.

[@ryancols]

@@joelhicks5468 He can't cancel debt and if you're lying about that you're not trustworthy on the rest

[@PickleSurpriseVEVO]

Finally we’re getting these in the UK

[@1987palerider]

The delivery of "while a perverted owl...just watches" killed me

[@LH-mn3cc]

Upton Sinclair is rolling in his grave like "damn this shit STILL going on?!"

[@lilr6199]

Oh damn thats a good allusion, we really havent changed jack shit have we?

[@amanda-vm7wv]

he's probably like: I DID EVERYTHING FOR YOU. I WROTE THE JUNGLE FOR YOU. I WENT IT INSANELY GROTESQUE DETAIL ABOUT THE MEATPACKING INDUSTRY AND YOU STILL DO THIS!!??

[@MommyLongerLegs]

I wondering who else would be thinking of him.

[@FutureCommentary1]

That probably gave some people ideas on how to run a meatpacking plant.

[@jackflanagle6079]

Great book along with "The Grapes of Wrath" by Steinbeck. It was 'Profits over People' then and remains exactly that today.

[@kirielvids]

When a company says "we're like a family here" they don't mean you'll be treated with compassion and respect. They mean "We're the parents and you'll do everything we say without question or we will beat you or disown you"

[@yanamclaughlin1644]

I love John Oliver he has a huge heart and knows how to talk shit where it counts. Best combination

[@End420Prohibition]

When an employer says “it’s like family here “, what they are really saying is “working here will probably leave you with some serious psychological trauma “

[@jessica_2468]

Lmao

[@therealdeal3672]

Sounds about right!!!

[@SarahAbramova]

Yeah that sounds like family

[@Skag_Sisyphus]

XD

[@tlacuache4448]

😭😭😭

[@talonshepard8694]

I just want to thank the whole production team and everyone responsible for last week tonight for making free content that is incredibly educational exposing massive amounts of flaws in the systems we live in. Truly heroic in the society we live in today.

[@Ben-rr3gr]

@Nicholas Lysaght Are you seriously shaming a man who worked and committed three decades of his life for JBS to support his family and then dying from COVID the fault of him being LAZY!? First, I'll save you some time. His name as John stated is Saul Sanchez. I did some research just to enlighten you. He came from Mexico to the US to save his daughters life in the 70's. In Juarez, Mexico he was a manager of 15 pharmacies, not starting off too lazy is it? His daughter had kidney failure and he moved to find her the proper medical treatment in the US, legally I may add, the Nation of Immigrants. He took a job as a landscaper and was able to pay for her medical bills over time. He then opened a bakery in Greely Colorado in 1992. He was close to the JBS plant and took a job there to continue to cover bills and help his family. The entire time he supported his daughters as they obtained their degrees. One daughter became a nurse and was working at the hospital he died in. Now tell me where the "lazy/plan for your family" part of this comes in? Second, if you dont think that profits were not placed on the top tier of JBS' priority list when confronted with COVID, you are more of a fool than I imagined. Yes, they are a business and yes they need to maintain something, but after making $7 BILLION dollars in profits in 2019, you think they could have the ability to restructure, just enough to stop production for a moment, which they had to do anyways, and rethink how the future of their line may function. It may have saved this mans life and others. "bUt ThEy OnlY MaDe 6 BilLiOn iN 2020?" Such a strange idea right? I am a business owner not only responsible for the product I deliver but the people I employ and their health and safety... who would have thought they go together? Before you decide to type such ignorant crap on the internet again, such as calling hard-working immigrants who died attempting to maintain a lifeline for their loved ones through the age of 78, LAZY. Stop. Take a minute. Think about how you dont know a thing about what you are about to say, and how YES, you sound racist, so 2021 amirite? and shut your brain down for us all, we'll take it as a favor. This also applies to the comment you are probably contemplating right now, but if we're lucky you may just shed light on your idiocy even more.... Good luck in life Nicholas.

[@Relatablenightmare]

@Nicholas Lysaght your privilege is showing, cover up Also you CAN socially distance if you rethink your system and stop only caring about increasing profits. You're just being lazy in assuming such issues can't be problem solved. But that's capitalism for you.

[@stephengrigg5988]

Even if it is an unskilled job it should still be safe. Companies shouldn't get away with unsafe conditions just because their workers are unskilled, they're still people.

[@patrickm.4469]

@Nicholas Lysaght what a disgusting human being.

[@damianallen8377]

@Nicholas Lysaght Your quite stupid aren't you? With clearly no real idea of how your society functions from the ground up.

[@aellalee4767]

I've worked a few jobs where people have to wear diapers or otherwise are generally not able to take a bathroom break. I'm in Canada. Also I'm used to how insane it is that people in office jobs get paid more and get more opportunities for free or discounted gym/meditation stuff. I wish it was available for the labourers. It's needed there so badly.

[@ItsRainingHippos]

I live in a small town in Texas where one of the Tyson plants are. It’s one of the biggest employers in our area and everything Oliver is talking about is true. They treat their people like shit, but people can’t quit because they need the job. My brother currently works at one of these plants. He works 14 hour work days slicing up animal guts and barely gets a lunch break.

[@emotionalagliophilic8623]

I remember learning about the horrendous conditions of factories in the industrial revolution in middle school. Funny how it was all referred to as if that kind of stuff doesn’t happen anymore

[@justanotheremptychannel2472]

Well, that's why America hates unions & syndicates

[@feeline1120]

Underrated comment!

[@barackobama129]

One of my teachers claimed they had significantly improved and I just did not believe it for a second.

[@johnkingsize]

@@barackobama129 Maybe they meant in the modern world.

[@jschuler53]

We're following the monopolization business model used in the Industrial Revolution. Conglomerates. Reagan de-regulating everything started a lot of this. OSHA used to have power. While we were not paying attention, more and more de-regulation kept going on. It's about making more $ at any cost. SOS.

[@fridakahlo3159]

My mom broke her hand and she had to work the next day. I worked for these plants many years. It’s also humiliating they don’t give you a bathroom break when you need one. Sometimes none at all all day long. The lines are at a very fast speed. The knives are always dull. It’s horrible. I cried every day. There’s no sick day benefits. Poor families.

[@HunterBelkiran]

Wow, I'm so sorry you had to endure that. I hope you're in a better situation now.

[@grimgoblinjack]

I'm so sorry you and your family went through that. I hope things are better for you now.

[@vicrules6666]

Why didn't you quit, and get a different job? You're smart...

[@kgbcarrie]

@@vicrules6666 wow what a novel idea!

[@jaheidt]

@@vicrules6666 yea h I’m sure folks desperate didn’t think of that. what an ignorant comment.

[@FixedUntilBroken]

"Family" the truly offensive F word. The only "family" like treatment you get from corporate managers is just like the alcoholic uncle who askes for more all the time.

[@adelepattonxxx]

I think that John Oliver as hilarious as he is, is my favourite journalist. I know that he's not going into physically dangerous places and reporting from war zones but he's a British man who is uncovering the important and insane truths in America. He is a citizen there now.

[@Yourmomshassole]

Treating your employees like “family” is rich white guy talk for doesn’t get paid for overtime or mandatory work on the weekends.

[@kemigeorge6294]

Goddamn, this the truest thing I've ever read.

[@uniqueuser52138]

Ohoho if you’ve ever worked for literal family you’d know that’s exactly what this means. Child labor laws be damned!

[@spacetechempire510]

Ya there are some things that everyone can tell that need to be fixed in the us. Government Corruption, More oversite in industry, and our medical system.

[@caitlincheney4358]

Holidays?! Kiss those goodbye

[@MungkaeX]

@@caitlincheney4358 are you saying you don’t want to spend your holidays with your “family”?

[@boabdil1974]

"This company is like a family..." Sure. The Lannisters.

[@sunnysal3889]

GOT points 🐉

[@caitlynguthrie5641]

When you’ve never watched the show, but you get the reference ❤️

[@vgwatch8414]

They are the Lannisters with no Tyrion in sight

[@kenlee437]

That’s the point

[@dantatadangote4700]

Nah, atleast the Lannisters always pay their debts.

[@lesleyallerby1295]

Imagine if a fraction of the defence budget was repurposed to OSHA, would more Americans be kept safe than spending on a foreign war?

[@HeyJinx]

Kinda Workers need to unionize and build dual power structures.

[@TheJrbdog]

Probably, but not the "important" people. They benefit from war.

[@Navycowgirl]

Love this one. The first time I became aware of this topic was when I read "Fast Food Nation." This issue was only one of the subjects the book spoke about, but it was pretty significant. Fortunately, I was living in Sicily at the time, because after reading the book, there was a lot of food I did not want to touch. Some of the things it talked about included the conditions in the plants and the lack of availability for any government agency to do anything about it. There was a part about a USDA agent who shut down a plant. Less than a day later, the plant was open, and the USDA worker was reprimanded and sent to work elsewhere. It made me completely lose faith in the "USDA" label. While I am far from being vegetarian, I strongly support anything that can be done to keep workers safe. Even slowing those lines down would do a lot to help. Even if that meant less product for higher prices, I believe that in the U.S., we consume way too much meat. It's not like I want to give it up, but it definitely wouldn't hurt for most of us to cut back. Who knows, American health could actually improve. Two birds, one stone.

[@Flailwielder]

"I fucking warned you dude. I told you, bro" - Upton Sinclair

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

The more things change...

[@alicegoldstein4957]

True! It's been.. what? Almost a century? since "The Jungle", and here we still are

[@braydenroberts8190]

The funny thing about that book was that it was always about working conditions, to quote the man himself "I aimed for the people's hearts, and instead hit them in their stomachs."

[@SunjayVideos]

@@alicegoldstein4957 The Jungle was published in 1906, so it's been well over a century

[@CRT.v]

IT KEEPS HAPPENING

[@kanglerthetoadslayer6157]

a whole episode on packing meat without a single joke about adam driver, im proud.

[@therealdeal3672]

Well, Adam did ask John to cut it out!😃

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

Yeah, I'm noticing a distinct lack of obvious jokes in this episode. C'mon John, you know you want to.

[@nicolassalazar457]

We need to abolish animal agriculture as we know it. It's horrific it truly is the biggest mafia and cancer we as a society are getting sick of while the ultra billionaires of the world, the texan prototypical sexist "macho" rancher conservative psychopath gets every single day richer and richer. This is NOT tho, an "anti-capitalist" rant, I LOVE capitalism and entrepreneurship, I just think these massive corporation conglomerates who are highly monopolistic are getting away with EVERYTHING. The climate suffers when we eat meat, the workers, our health, global health (because of zoonotic diseases and pandemics), it is completely insane and has to stop. We can get protein in smarter ways, we can still have some less sentient animals as food such as crickets or acuiculture/acuaponics raised fish which do NOT harm the oceans. This can solve global hunger, improve factory conditions, can be applied in a vertical farming, indoors/city farming model and along with lab grown meat and vegan substitutes we can build a safer, CLEANER, healthier and more ethical food system that benefits the earth and can feed even 10billion more people. As we know, in mars there won't be a plausible way to keep livestock alive, so the futuristic way is indeed to eat less meat, just ask astronauts about it.

[@BrainySnacks]

@@nicolassalazar457 wrong thread?

[@bobby9253]

@@nicolassalazar457 you argue that this can “solve global” hunger but we already can, the amount of food America and many other nations waste could easily feed the hungry. The FDA has some of the craziest standards for food and when they’re not met absurd amounts of food can be thrown away. Also there’s probably not going to be any justifiable end to eating animals that would actually make companies stop producing meat. So rather than try to win impossible up hill battle and just end all consumption of sentient animals, I think we should just aim to create less in humane facilities for processing meat. Both for actual human workers and the slaughterhouses. I just don’t think you’re argument is feasible when all the money and power is on the side of those who profit off of the current meat industry

[@darylovaltine]

As an Australian I am forever grateful for the safety authorities with genuine power and for the people who fought for workplace safety years and decades ago that today I benefit from.

[@thehorrorhound6575]

As a factory worker I can confirm yeah shits fucked up man, I got second degree burns all over my left hand when I was 22 and they tried to stop me from going to the hospital, kept demanding I admit it was my own fault and that I wouldn’t be able to get workmans comp for it, and then made me go to a doctor hand picked by the factory who they could then had a company liaison sit in on all my appointments taking away any doctor patient confidentiality because they were looking to fire me and hoping I’d fail a drug test or get something else to document on me

[@jacobbaker4695]

More people need to read "The Jungle". It's relevant 100 years after it was written.

[@frankmorris6765]

Upton Sinclair

[@drsimi9193]

Where can i find this manga

[@phriedokra6158]

@@drsimi9193 library or Amazon.

[@Wahunganganshapunck]

I bet we could make the jungle look like child's play nowadays

[@one_vegan_boi1097]

Have you read the paper from Human Rights Watch from 2004 about the working conditions in plants? Cause it is basically Sinclair's book all over again. We haven't moved a bit in over a hundred years and it is so frustrating and, quite frankly, infuriating.

[@IdaSantti]

What I have learned from this show is, that if the company claims their clients or workers are like family it means they are actually fucked.

[@kylkim93]

Employee: disgruntled Employer: you're tearing this family apart, you're bad!

[@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1]

At least some of them are trying, as opposed to the cynics willing to drag down everybody to the same economic level of stagnation (the socialists), or as opposed to the coldhearted CEOs/leaders that don't care at all about their workers (people that you aren't complaining about). But yeah, let's make fun of those trying to include the employees and make them feel good. Because that makes sense.

[@joern122]

"You are Family" is corporate speak for: "We expect you to work you ass of for us at a fraction of what we would have to pay to real employees without you complaining about it because we are a loving family and we will love you until it is inconvenient for us and we will just fire you at that time"

[@ChristopherSadlowski]

This is correct. Every company I've worked for that pulled the "like family" bullshit treated the employees like literal garbage.

[@maythesciencebewithyou]

The best ones are the companies that try to lure you in with many free time activities and facilities that are fun, but then you realize, that nobody is using them, because they are working nonstop and anybody who dares to take a break in those facilities is frowned upon. In those companies, often start ups, you end up working alot more, because your bosses want you to make them rich like Zuckerberg.

[@Wild_Vegan_Child]

That was Epic! Thank you Mr. Oliver.

[@bireyanonimoglu2750]

I wouldn't think I would ever cry for a John Oliver video. This was hard. I'm really sorry for all those people and myself as I'm working in a similar job. I worked during the whole pandemic and still working. I felt ill a couple of times but my covid-19 test request was rejected as my "symptoms were mild". Annual pay rise skipped twice "because of the hard times for the business during the pandemic" meanwhile the business received a huge amount of business support from the government, all the head office colleagues worked from home, 70% of head office and shop managers on furlough since April 2020 and getting their 80% of salaries for zero work, some of them are working for the second job and doubled their income. Pandemic hit some of us in the working class really hard, some of us already dead, rest of us become poorer than ever before.

[@Starboy86]

When he said “family,” he meant in the Charles Manson sense.

[@jessica_2468]

Lol

[@ArealMrsSmith]

I mean, as an x-retail worker, this is just what capitalism, without any considerations for the human and community components it requires to operate, produces. Not surprising.

[@Skag_Sisyphus]

Haha! Yeah, but even manson was better to his family than the very rich are to their workers. It was s good joke though. I literally laughed out loud.

[@nestorrfortuna1]

stop eating chicken from this corporation. boycotts

[@TheGoofy1932]

That's what corporations and the GOP mean when they use words like "family", "morals" and "values".

[@christophernevins4952]

I used to work at Tyson in Arkansas deboning chicken breasts. I would wake up in the morning unable to move my hands and had to painfully stretch them in order regain mobility, I was 22. We had one thirty minute break for lunch. The pain was so bad most days that I literally stabbed myself in the hand more than once in order to just get a break. They truly did not care. "The nurse's office was just a room filled with bandaids and icy hot.

[@ngosachai507]

OMG. That's why I will forever love my country ❤. 🇿🇲

[@missyureiii]

Can relate with being unable to move my hands when I wake up, but I don't do deboning, I lift heavy meat and pack them in plastic. I'm unable to close my hands. I think it's both from lifting thousands of pounds of meat and also the 4 layers of gloves we wear.

[@runaringi9009]

as a health and safety representative in Denmark at a meat packaging facility, this video made me realise how good we have it. We have a lot of work to do in making conditions proper here, but at least the managers listen, care about people and allow fucking bathroom breaks.

[@randhawa9385]

Transition of being a major comedy show to being a major reality check comedy show 🙌

[@YoungClarke]

This is absolutely why we need stronger unions. Yeah, there are problems that arise from them, but companies will inevitably abuse their workforce if there isn't anyone standing up for them.

[@antalwahlers3574]

You don't need unions, you need LAWS

[@rottndachs]

Exactly. Unions aren't perfect, but obviously these manufacturers aren't either. Unions are why there are worker laws, but with asshats slipping senators checks to pass laws that harm workers, this isn't going to change, in fact it's getting worse. But if you desire to go back to 15 hour work days 7 days a week for substandard pay, bash the unions. I gladly pay my dues, and stand proud for the brothers and sisters who got us safer working standards.

[@madderthanever]

@@antalwahlers3574 ... And who do you think will force those laws you are speaking of to be create? Corporations? Politicians? YOU? Please get back to the real world...

[@antalwahlers3574]

@@madderthanever If you'd quit your hostility, you'd actually make a good point.

[@jgmm26]

@@antalwahlers3574 we have child labor laws, the 8-hour day convention, and most of our current worker protections because of union activism

[@mariolucario493]

Here's a tip for you: If someone ever says that their company is like a family, TURN AND RUN IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. They only say that to encourage you to be loyal to the company, but they're never loyal back. Real families support each other. But big corporations just expect you to devote all of your time and resources to them; to the point that you won't have time for your real family.

[@kurokasteele4830]

Some real families, I'd add. Though I could take those families not being considered real families, which is actually more like the whole corporation thing.

[@tirsden]

@@kurokasteele4830 - I was going to say, uh, my "famiily" would actually fit the Tyson definition real well.

[@austindavis2406]

For big companies though, a small town local company tho- totally could have a family vibe

[@kurokasteele4830]

@@tirsden Aww, yeah. I hope things go as well as can be expected though. Definitely a lot of real families that aren't _real families_ sadly.

[@aflucero82]

Dam well said.

[@lisettedevars9423]

I used to work for a cellphone company that wanted to know in detail, the reason you took a bathroom break. There were filthy chairs scattered about the place.

[@dcornect53]

John Oliver, you are my number 4, my family is number 8 at best.

[@joyhaig1286]

To think nothing really has changed since Upton Sinclair wrote the book “The Jungle” is truly depressing.

[@therealdeal3672]

A lot has changed, but not for the better.

[@nancymarshall2820]

Only we the people can change America let's get going

[@immko]

Wikipedia: Originally published: November 4, 1905. Damn.

[@friendsoftheamazonjungle]

That book should be renamed "the greed stricken cities" as an American I live in the Amazon Jungle and let me tell you in the past 3 years here, I've never seen an shit like that 😂😂😂

[@icarusgotooclose]

@@therealdeal3672 you obviously haven't read the jungle

[@Pipediplomacy]

I would genuinely love to see a meatpacking plant-episode of Undercover Boss. The toilet break in the diaper, the 35 birds a minute workline rate, the visit to the nurse with three executive fingers in a plastic bag..

[@pronounjow]

I'll tell you now that you will never see such an episode. That's like the 4-star general fighting in the trenches. It's a battlefield and every day is war.

[@agolftwittler1223]

I second that 🤣

[@thewreckedup]

Hey! There's actually a ton of these investigations. Check out the organization Mercy For Animals, they are known for their investigation work. They also run a cool project called Transfarmation that helps animal farmers convert to raising plants

[@drippingjuices]

This make this happen. @producers cinema

[@johnholmes4363]

Good on you Johnny, thank you for shining a light on these bad companies

[@coltranius]

I worked two summers in a chicken processing plant in the 90s, and I still have pretty serious issues from the RMI I got. I saw a lot of minor and moderate injuries, nearly daily, and a couple of significant injuries. Generally, they were the result of a worker being irresponsible and cutting corners or clowning around, but some were clearly due to sheer fatigue or the sometimes unreasonable speed demanded by the floor supervisors.

[@elfymcelferton2187]

When I heard the part about the guy with crushed hands signing the waiver with a pen in his teeth... I had to hit pause and stare through the wall for a minute. If corporations are people, this one is psycho.

[@skippyzk]

As a person who has been a corporation in the past, this is correct

[@trendingtens468]

Let's see how many subscribers would I get from this comment will you help me? Current: 760

[@SentientTent]

It seems reasonable to argue that signing a form with your teeth due to your hands being crushed moments before would qualify as signing under duress.

[@unl987]

this one is a problem with the entire industry- they heavily use illegal immigrants because there’s an underlying threat that if they talk back or do anything other than what’s told, they will be fired and potentially deported. Then they hold poor and hungry in check through firing. These are often the only employers in town. They purposely locate in rural areas because the smell is so bad in and outside of these plants no one wants to live nearby and it’s less likely they will get people reporting them. It’s an evil industry. Specific to corporate meat packing and processing. Not necessarily mom and pop operations

[@ironyelegy]

they're all psycho dude

[@anactualpigeon6844]

Upton Sinclair just out here like "I TOLD YOU A CENTURY AGO. A CENTURY"

[@steve-ph9yg]

OVER A CENTURY AGO 😡

[@odad7443]

*kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZiYeaOPbtWod5I*

[@marquispalmer9]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2PGnatvmcpjpZI

[@trinityolusola394]

I knowwwww wtf 🤬 not at you, the industry

[@Kaempfdog]

Jeez and I IMMEDIATELY had the jungle on the brain the moment this bit started. I knew immediately nothing had changed.

[@catfishlol1498]

When people tell you that you're family you know they about to use you big time.

[@overthinkinghooper0]

That ad legit took a whole right turn.

[@inkpenavengerYT]

Also: OSHA schedules its inspections well in advance. When I worked at the Tyson pork plant in Logansport, there'd be about three weeks out of thr year when the company enforced safety standards - those being the weeks of and leading up to the scheduled inspection. Other than that it was, "fuck your safety; get back to work, peasant."

[@djhero0071]

That’s fucked up.

[@informativethinker3440]

That's very unfortunate but why the hell would they schedule inspections in advanced?

[@freakymoejoe2]

@@informativethinker3440 because osha is regulated by the people its supposed to regulate

[@Prodigious1One]

Whoa! Then we need surprise inspections.

[@naderaraman]

Used to go to Logan. Tyson stinks up the entire town. Gross!

[@v1kng99]

I used to work at pilgrims pride. So this one hits home. They have paperwork that tells you what each of your limbs are worth to the company and how much you will get off you accidentally lose one.

[@t.h.8475]

That's terrible.

[@ryankarl8472]

I signed that when joining the US Army as an infantry soldier. Fucking sad.

[@gumundur1721]

@@ryankarl8472 haha so you and James Handson are in the same line of work

[@YoshMinster]

Isn’t that what pirates did?

[@RLucas3000]

It should at the very least be 100s of 1000s of dollars, but somehow I’m sure it isn’t.

[@marisolramirez3377]

Thank you for exposing this!

[@ZT1ST]

@15:01; I'm honestly hoping that the OSHA worker just said "Well, until I can go around this factory without a box over my head, you're making my job really easy - I'll write you up, and require you to do any and all actions necessary to allow me to inspect the workplace without a box over my head. I've got 5 more factories to inspect today, so I thank you for making my job very expedient."

[@jeffroalson1915]

I work as a French interpreter in Iowa and almost every job is for French Africans who are going to therapy from injuries at their meat-packing jobs.

[@islamreads6459]

WOOOOW! INJURED IN PLANT & OTHERS; Then LEARN ENG. & get job Translating for YOUR PEO

[@PartnershipsForYou]

@@islamreads6459 Speak English

[@subifyouhatetiktokandreddit234]

Proof?

[@odad7443]

*kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZiYeaOPbtWod5I*

[@marquispalmer9]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2PGnatvmcpjpZI

[@icanmakeyoulol19]

Once you say, “we are like family,” I am running away.

[@GirtonOramsay]

Biggest red flag if you work at a corporation or start-up

[@elchamber]

Family? Standard cult explanation. Run!

[@loretheinexplicable6492]

Had to pause the video because that commercial at the beginning had me in years laughing 🤣🤣🤣

[@microslavery]

I worked for years at a meat plant. It was mind boggling to say the least. Whenever the line was inspected, it would be slowed down, sometimes by more than half the usual speed. If you were injured during the job, they were very accommodating - unless you took any amount of time to get better. The 'light duty' jobs offered were laughably bad, tone deaf, or just blind to the workers actual restrictions. The nurse on site, who hadn't examined me in months, refuted the findings of physiotherapists - because she was a nurse, and they were a physiotherapist. This is also the same place where someone died on the job, and they only found out when they went to yell at him for slacking off. I tried my best to make changes, in the end - I'd ended up with an inner ear infection, and then laid off when the larger company that had bought them did some close-up corporate magic to be able to let go almost half the unionised work force. I talked about this with someone who was currently still employed by the business, and everything I said rang true to them. More than a decade after I left.

[@3Rachelharper]

John Oliver consistently makes me care about issues I never thought about. He is a voice we can trust for sure.

[@sepiks4250]

Ok good, now go plant based and stop funding this industry. Not to mention the horrendous, abusive and inhumane treatment of animals.

[@ryancols]

@@sepiks4250 if you care so much go to your senators, bozo

[@GnipMuffin]

@@ryancols Yeah! We should definitely be urging our Senators to go vegan as well, what a great suggestion!

[@trendingtens468]

Let's see how many subscribers would I get from this comment will you help me? Current: 760

[@awolabubeker772]

@@sepiks4250 9llllll9ll99

[@Kira1Lawliet]

6:26 "When we're dead and buried, our bones will still be hurting." That has to be one of the most chillingly morbid sentences I've ever heard in my life.

[@patrickbuhr2258]

Who cares about slavery ? Welcome to america.

[@skival]

The book Fast Food Nation really did a good job on this subject years ago. Meat Packing uses scores of Illegal workers as practical slaves and the rich owners never get real consequences. What Tyson does to farmers is also evil.

[@adelepattonxxx]

No words 💔😢

[@ukaszkaminski4405]

Whenever boss says that his company is like family then you can be sure they have issues.

[@youtubeinnk]

Is it T or L ?

[@themurderbotfeed7688]

Same as if their job offers say they are looking for superstars and perks include free fruit, you know they are underpaying for sure, as of bananas could replace an extra 500€ a month

[@stephanies3246]

They’re a dysfunctional family.

[@arlingtonguy54]

If his company is anything like my family then I would not want to work there.

[@bsadewitz]

Well, yeah, but working for the CIA isn't necessarily all bad ...