Conditions Better At Agri Star, Workers Say

Pay better than under Agriprocessors, supervisors less demanding, nicer.

Postville, immigrants inching toward closure
BY GRANT SCHULTE • Des Moines Register

Postville, Ia. - Forty-year-old Juventino Lopez Pichia wants to bring his wife and children to Iowa.

But he knows that likely will never happen.

Instead Pichia and about 29 other immigrants arrested in the massive 2008 raid of Agriprocessors Inc. face deportation, probably sometime before the end of the year. The 30 or so immigrants were given temporary work visas so they could remain in Iowa and be available to testify in Sholom Rubashkin's second federal trial.

However, those charges were dropped against the former Agriprocessors vice president.

"If I could bring my wife and children here, I would," said Pichia, who cut chicken breasts at the plant for $7.25 an hour. "This is a country of opportunities. But since that can't happen, I'm going to work hard here until I go back."

Pichia shares a home in Decorah with six other men involved with the raid and commutes with them to their jobs in Postville. All are originally from Guatemala. In their free time, they alternate chores cooking and cleaning the home, rented from a local family.

Javier Lopez Sache, 19, said he had hoped to help support his five brothers and five sisters back at home. Sache said he worked in a refrigerated area of the plant, in a cold comparable to the outdoor temperature in the teens.

Work at the plant remains hectic, "but the pace is better now," Sache said. "Before, all the supervisors were very demanding."

Many of the men attend services at local churches. Pichia, who said he doesn't drink or smoke because of his Christian faith, said he now calls his family once a day.
Advocates for the immigrants who were supposed to testify against Rubashkin say they are outraged that a federal jury will never hear about past abuses at the plant.

"What is their future?" asked the Rev. Paul Ouderkirk, retired pastor of St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Postville. "What will the government do with them? Will any recognition be made that they sacrificed two years of their lives?"

Some immigrants suffered so greatly from their post-raid experiences that the Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque, which encompasses Postville, hired bilingual psychiatric counselors to help them with depression and other mental illnesses, Ouderkirk said.
"The raid isn't over," he said. "There's no closure, no matter how hard the people want there to be."

Agriprocessors was the site of a May 2008 federal raid that caught 389 illegal-immigrant workers. About 300 were charged with aggravated identity theft or possession of false documents and sent to prison for five months.

Among them was Victor Hugo Sis Tepaz, 44, a Guatemalan who worked a 4 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. shift at the plant before the raid. Tepaz was arrested, pleaded guilty to an identity theft charge for using an Ohio Social Security number, and served a five-month prison sentence in Florida and Oklahoma.
Federal agents returned Tepaz and other former workers to Postville in November 2008 so they could testify against Rubashkin in his 72-count immigration trial.

But those charges were dropped in November, after a South Dakota jury convicted Rubashkin of 86 counts of financial fraud. The decision hinged, in part, on the likely cost and inconvenience to witnesses. Prosecutors also argued that jurors had effectively declared Rubashkin's guilt on some immigration charges when they found him guilty of lying to the plant's lender about the work force. Defense lawyers dispute the assertion.

When the immigration charges were dropped, prosecutors no longer needed the immigrant witnesses, who now face deportation.

The immigrants were given temporary work visas while they waited to testify in the trial, and eventually returned to Agriprocessors.

Rubashkin, along with his father and several former human resource employees, still faces thousands of child labor charges levied by the Iowa attorney general's office. All have pleaded not guilty, and a trial is slated to begin at a not-yet-set date next year.
Tepaz said conditions at the kosher meat plant have improved. The supervisors before "were very strict" and always pushed employees to work faster, he said through a Spanish translator. "Now, they're friendly," he said.

He said he now makes $9.25 per hour, up from the $7.50 hourly wage he collected when he first started. He works 50 to 60 hours per week.

Workers have alleged that they were illegally underpaid, overworked and threatened with job termination if they complained. One girl, who was 15 when she was hired, told state investigators of repeated sexual harassment from some low-level supervisors.
A sense of caution still hovers in Postville about Agri Star, the plant's new name under new ownership. Hershey Friedman, a Canadian businessman, bought the plant out of bankruptcy and reopened it with promises to restart the now-dormant beef kill line.

Becky Monroe, a stylist at the Headquarters hair salon in Postville, said she has noticed smaller crowds outside the Postville church pantry, which used to attract lines that stretched well down Greene Street.
"It's going to take a long time to recover," she said. " ... I think that the community's perspective on Agri Star is going to be: Sit back and wait with caution."

Other business owners said an Oct. 17 fire at a downtown bakery, a popular local business, had overshadowed immediate concerns about the raid.

The fire destroyed the 126-year-old building and displaced more than 10 people who lived in the apartments upstairs. The blaze also damaged the Wishing Well, a gift and flower shop and one of the few remaining retail businesses in town.
Some residents express hope that, as the raid's aftermath nears an end, their northeast Iowa town might start to recover.

"Everyone predicted this town would dry up and blow away," said Gary DeVilbiss, who runs an insurance firm downtown. "But we knew we were going to survive."

DeVilbiss said the Rubashkin verdict inched the town toward a sense of closure. "You could feel the weight come off the town's shoulders," he said. "It wasn't that he got convicted. It was just the sense that it was over."

Comments

[krewz]

friedman will figure out a another way to screw 'em

[dr. dave]

Oh give him a chance.

Maybe he'll realize its worth raising prices 10 cents a pound to be able to pay a living wage.

[sage]

Unanswered Questions

1. When is HF going to get rid of all RCF workers in Agr-Star?

2. When is HF going to get rid of the (OU/Weissmandl) Kosher Nostra and replace it with certification that is honest and transparent?

3. When is HF going to hold a Town Hall Meeting, to explain to Postville Folks how Agri-Star intends to be part of the Postville Rebuilding Process?

There are now many who are very impatiently awaiting the anwswers.

[state of disgust]

Question:
IF HF "owns" the company, why is it still being run by the Rubashkin's?

[effie]

Advocates for the immigrants who were supposed to testify against Rubashkin say they are outraged that a federal jury will never hear about past abuses at the plant.

Nor, were they ever going to, since it had nothing to do with the federal charges. If they want their day in court, they should sue civilly though I suspect they are barred from doing so because they were also breaking the law.

[yidandhalf]

Friedman's outfit isn't and won't be any different. It is easy enough to make a semblence of decency toward the workers and the work enviornment in a chicken operation. This is not so easy in the side which kills cows. The interviewee doesn't want to start his wonderful bloody career off on the wrong foot. We remember the star workers the Rubbishcan had interviewed and what they said. When this new abomination falls down, Postville will finally be able to turn its back on the whole story and get a good industry that is healthy, which can make them proud. Friedman is a plastics manufacturer with his head up his ass. If he knew what he was doing he wouldn't have slime ball heshy in there. He would have good, fresh, clean people in from somewhere else. If he knew what he was doing and there was hope he would run a good show, the last thing he would be doing is running it under a rubash-in and having to resort to half-assed PR to try and keep the tracks oiled.

[yidandhalf]

sage asks when Friedman will get rid of the rubash-ins? He will not; the Rubbishclan is a silent parter. AgriStar=AgriProcessors.

[Milchamos Hashem]

The way i see it HF is trying to look good and make it look nice now that the whole world is looking at him.

What'll be in a few years when he needs to make ends meet and he just can't...

[Dr. Moe]

It is probably better to work now days at Agri Star then purdue chickes,Omaha Steaks or Iowa Turkey since Agri Star \ Friendman must put up a nice show to the world.

[FirstGenerationBavarianAmerican]

Sage asked,
"1. When is HF going to get rid of all RCF workers in Agr-Star?"

That is a interesting question. Considering meat cutting (into retail cuts) is taking place at the old man's butcher shop in Brooklyn, one would wonder why a family member of a competitor is allowed to remain working there. I just heard from a friend of mine who works in the IT department of an insurance company. He tells me that when someone nears retirement age, they "promote" that person to 'consultant' and give his projects to other workers. That way, he is around for a certain period of time to answer crucial questions, but after others learn the place inside-and-out the elderly person gets his gold watch.

[yidandhalf]

Well, I will buy a gold watch for Heshy if this means he will get out of there upon receipt of said watch.

[Hometown Postville]

Does anyone know what is going to happen to the immigrants who remain jailed as witnesses for the now defunct immigration charges? I read about some of them above who apparently were released to go back to work, but for some reason, others remain in prison. I know of at least one who was in Iowa for over 10 years and didn't do anything but work hard, get married, and raise a family. Any hopes of them being allowed to stay in the states? If not, is there a group that could possibly advocate for granting permanent work visas to the U.S. on grounds of keeping a family together vs breaking it up? (Several have married American girls and have had children with them)

[TheTruthAsItIs]

Sage, yidandhalf, state of disgust -

You all bring up interesting and valid points.

If Friedman had half a clue what he was doing he would have booted Heshy and any other Rubashkin-related individuals out of that plant from the get go ( I've said it once, I will say it again, I dont understand why the Trustees kept them around let alone this bird)

HF isnt going to meet with the townspeople. He talks a good talk, and pushes a good news article, but I get the impression his attitude is he will do and run his business however he wants when he wants. (Sort of reminds you of someone doesn't it?)

Personally, I think the best the citizens of Postville can hope for is that HF etal gets the beef kill up and running, making the plant more valuable, and then flip it to someone or some parties truly interested in running a meat packing facility.

[yidandhalf]

I think the point rests at the fact that, whatever Friedman's wishes may be; he cannot boot out heshy. This has long been obvious, and I believe the reasons are not so arcane. Do you all believe that if and when they get the beef side up he will leave? Do you think the rubbishcan's have manuveured all this to walk away from it? Do you all think they no longer have any control or interest at all? That they will retreat to their Brooklyn shop in happy disgrace with the Uruguay operation as consolation prize? Friedman's refusal to support Chabad structures in Postville means nothing. The mamsers all got the thin edge of the wedge in a long time ago. It's still holding the door open and few see it.

[sage]

HF made a statement recently, that he is contributing to the Chabad Jewish Scool, but would not say how much, after initially, stating that he would not do so.

So, it seems, that the RCF has him firmly by his cajones.

Additionally, it would be interesting to know, who he putting up the money for the capital improvements on the beef-side.

If the RCF is forcing HF to put up his own money for this, while actually being in control, WOW !!!!!!!

[yidandhalf]

Ask yourself this, a plastics manufacturer from Quebec "buys" a bankrupt meat packing plant that was run into the ground after becoming a shame to almost every Jew alive, out on the unforgiving prairie of Iowa just how? Of course the rubash-ins are his silent partner. Never a word out of them, how low key they are. Apart from the Golem's walk of shame to and from the courts and jail, nary a peep. From the old man to heshy, nothing. Because the shitpile is still run by them, that's why. Do you think they will be satisfied peddling hot dogs from Uruguay?

[s]

Was in Postville briefly Saturday evening and so glad to see the big birthday party Hispanic families were having in the north end of the Sabor Latino building. Pink tablecloths, balloons,kids running throughout the building. Had not seen people looking that happy since the Turkey plant was still running.

[effie]

A silent partner is one with limited liability. It does not mean a *secret* partner.

[steve]

The whole purpose of his purchase was to keep the seat warm for SMR.

[effie]

I doubt he will earn enough from his prison job to buy back the company.

[sage]

Yes.

But the Papa has the $$$$$$$$$$.

[yidandahalf]

Thank you efie, for the correction. This area is not my pidgeon. I should have posted secret partner and stand corrected.
steve put it the best way re. ,keeping his chair warm. The whole point is the Rubbishcans are not out of the plant or the picture. Quite the opposite.

[effie]

yidandahalf: I had to look it up myself.

I don't quite understand what people are alleging. That they still maintain part control via a financial interest in the company? Again, you can't keep that secret. Especially since the Feds are all over them and the plant.

Also, Aaron is in his 70s. And what bank is going to do business with Sholomo after all his convictions for fraud?

[state of disgust]

Effie said...

"you can't keep that secret. .."

They are not trying to keep it secret, the family members work there in the open as employees. The Feds are well aware of this but can't stop unindicted family members from employment in the plant.
HF and family are in Postville infrequently, so day-to-day decisions are made by Heshy, Chaim, etal.
Has the situation improved? No doubt. They may be scoundrels and untrustworthy but they are not dumb.
Would I trust their kashrut - absolutely not. Will Chabad trust their kashrut? Yes. That is why the clan is still in the plant - to deliver the Lubav market to HF and maintain their own personal contacts. The clan may have a terrible reputation in the meat industry and the general Jewish community, but the Lubav's think they walk on water.
The collective educational level of all family members may be less then a four year college BA, but what they lack in education they make up with persistence.
They will attempt to regain control of the plant, or they will start their own operation using Uruguay meat as the basis. I don't think there is anything anyone can do about it. Its not personal, its just business. Most Americans have a short planning horizon. But The Rubashkin's are working on a Russian timeline and have a much longer game plan in mind. They're building a dynasty not a business.

[sage]

Hi SOD,

Your analysis sounds like it's very close to the truth.

It portends a future, in which Postville will find it very difficult, if not impossible, to recover and rebuild.

Am I off base or do you see any positive signs for the city's future?

[yidandhalf]

They will be unable to export any Uruguay product to the US. Europe is already well served by its own ops. Where can they send the Uruguay apart from Israel? Does anyone have any more information about this?

[Shmarya]

Both Alle and the still operating version of Rubashkin import meat from South America, and have done so for years.

[sage]

There have been reports of Rubashkin Uruguay meat ending up in the Port of Newark.

[AGRI-vated Angel]

I have news for you . . . I have yet to hear a worker say they find the conditions better.

(Quite the contrary)

Just yesterday, a worker told me-'same old crap, different storefront'.

[sage]

Hi AA,

Thanks for giving us the "True Facts on the Ground".

[state of disgust]

Sage asks:

"Am I off base or do you see any positive signs for the city's future?"

Not at this time.

Had the State of Iowa invested in bringing multiple small businesses to Postville, it would have been a better use of funds.
Perhaps the State is pursuing this option anyway.
I don't have the state level contacts to confirm. But Iowa has in general looked for magic bullet enterprises (think ethanol) with linkages to the big business agri-firms. Medium to small scale enterprises find funding in larger metropolitan areas like Des Moines, Iowa City, etc. Someplace like Postville simply isn't in the thought processes of planners. What most economic planners are looking for are linkages - backward to raw material and forward to finished product and market. The slaughterhouse offers backward linkages to raw material (hens, cattle, etc) but the forward linkages are out-of-state so there is limited growth benefit for the community. That said, the slaughterhouse is basicly a small business (Conagra it ain't). What makes it minimally attractive is the relatively high price of its speciality or niche product (kosher food). But, it is a limited market.

[steve]

There have been reports of Rubashkin Uruguay meat ending up in the Port of Newark.

It belongs UNDER the Port of Newark.

[TheTruthAsItIs]

I think State of Disgust hits on a good point.

Postville would be well advised to find 1 or 2 other employers ( even if they only employed 50 or so people) so long as they pay good wages and are good corporate citizens.

If Agri Star survives and somehow thrives -then fine ( dont get me wrong, I dont think they will, in fact, I am hearing some not so positive things are beginning to occur there) But it would be better than a totally defunct shell of a plant.

But Postville should not make the same mistake over again and make Agri Star its "hinge" for economic development ( as it did with Agriprocessors) . I would hope if nothing else we the citizens of Postville have learned that LITTLE in all of this.

The Town should diversify the best that it can ( and yes, I know, easier said than done.) But in the end, I dont think it has much of a choice.

Look at Bismark, ND. I know, it is much larger than Postville. But still, instead of putting all its eggs in one economic basket ( agriculture) it made the decision a fews years back to cultivate as many types of businesses as it could and now, believe it or not, the cold capital of the lower U.S. is the hottest job market currently going (I heard this on the national news last night - the main newspaper boasts some 8,500 employment add postings.)

I dont see why Postville cant do something similar on a smaller scale. It may take some time but still I think it would be in the towns best interest in the long term.

[AGRI-vated Angel]

[Postville would be well advised to find 1 or 2 other employers ( even if they only employed 50 or so people) so long as they pay good wages and are good corporate citizens.]

We already have several employers who pay good wages and are good corporate citizens.

IL Norplex
Ziegler CAT
Szabo Construction
Mueller Concrete
Bacon Concrete
Hall Robert's Son
REC (Rural Electric Cooperative)
PFCS (Postville Farmers Coop Society)
Sunday Mattress Company
Home Oil Company
Prairie Ag
Four County Ag
Postville Vet Clinic
Hartley Electric
Bodley Equipment & Repair
Postville Good Samaritan Center
Winneshiek Medical Center
Postville Child Care Services
Postville Community School District
YMCA
Larry's Plumbing & Heating
B & K Plumbing & Heating
Hughes Electric Shop
Miller Electric
Freedom Bank
Fidelity Bank
John's Appliance & Hardware
State Farm Insurance
Bushman's Insurance
Farm Bureau Financial Services
Drahos & Senft CPA's
Wishing Well Floral
The Brick Oven
Sabor Latino
Moore's IGA
Guppy's Convenience Mart
Pit-Stop Convenience Mart (PFCS)
Tindell's Shoes (PFCS)
USPS
Possibilities (salon)
Sandie's Hair Designer (salon)
Beauty Hut (salon)
Livingood's Barber Shop
Madonna's Salon)
Beauty Expo (salon)
Sebastian Painting & Tree Service
LTI Water Conditioning
LA Sunshine Square (Boutique)
Northeast Iowa RC & D INC
Miller-Gundersen Clinic
Postville Medical Clinic
Postville Chiropractic Clinic
United-Suckow Dairy Supply LLC
Erickson Law Office
Centurylink
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home
Reggie's Auto Body
Best Place Auto Repair
Postville Public Library
City of Postville

. . . to name-but a few.

[yidandhalf]

Shackle and Hoist slaughter is not allowed on U.S. soil (although it goes on for small ruminants on the sly ) for the religious market. How is it that the U.S. is allowing meat from this slaughter to enter the U.S.? Disgusting and abominable. Let us have more information on this, whoever can come up with it.

[TheTruthAsItIs]

Okay AGRI-vated Angel....

So what would the problem be if we had 1 or 2 more on top of the list you provided?

[sandra]

lookn at that disgusting rubashkinface with the pic of the 'rebbe' .

as long as rubashkin holds the pic of the rebbe , everything is fine .

this pic of the rebbe will allow him to be a crook, exploit and hurt .

[sandra]

does rubashkin wash in jail ?
he needs a lot of soap and shampoo to wash his beard .

i will shave his head and beard to avoid the smell of his body odor and to make the inmates around him , the correction officers and jail staff , more comfortable