Natural State News with Context

Thanksgiving Adds To Already Stressful Jobs In Poultry Plants

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A Butterball plant in Huntsville, Arkansas, one of two plants that were the subject of the report.
Gabriel Thompson

Hear KUAR's interview with reporter Gabriel Thompson.

A Butterball plant in Huntsville, Arkansas, one of two plants that were the subject of the report.
Credit Gabriel Thompson / Slate Magazine

The months leading up to Thanksgiving Day are a busy time for poultry companies that process turkeys. A new report by Slate Magazine says it also adds to an already disturbing amount of pressure for those who work in turkey plants, including one in northwest Arkansas.

Reporter Gabriel Thompson wrote an in-depth story published this week for Slate Magazine which was reported in partnership with the Investigative Fund at the Nation Institute. It notes that some plants require workers not to take any days off for a 50-day stretch to meet the national demand for turkeys.

The story looks at the health impacts of repetitive movements required by workers as the birds move through plants and suggests companies are discouraging employees from seeking medical treatment. You can hear KUAR's interview with Thompson above.

Copyright 2016 KUAR

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As News Director, Michael Hibblen oversees daily news coverage for KUAR. He handles assignments for the news staff, helps develop story ideas and edits copy. Michael isresponsible for starting a news-sharing partnership between public radio stations in Arkansas in 2009 which laid the foundation for what became Arkansas Public Media. He is also a regular panelist and fill-in host on AETN's Arkansas Week, where journalists discuss issues in the news.