Workers protest as Smithfield reopens in Monmouth

MONMOUTH — Workers wearing face masks and carrying handwritten paper signs gathered at Smithfield Foods to protest on Saturday morning as the pork-processing plant began to resume operations amid the threat of COVID-19.

With law enforcement on site, protesters chanted together and held up signs reading “We want screening to return to work.”

Smithfield Foods has implemented a number of precautions at the plant — including symptom screening, taking temperatures, telling employees to stay home when sick, encouraging use of PPE, and installing barriers.

But workers protesting Saturday don’t think it’s enough.

Read more: https://www.pjstar.com/news/20200504/workers-protest-as-smithfield-reopens-in-monmouth
(Peoria Journal Star)