Today, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) released the following statement. 

“President Trump must end his war on workers. Using national security concerns as an excuse to cancel union contacts for thousands of workers at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Food Safety and Inspection Service is textbook union-busting and is another step toward hollowing out the highly skilled USDA workforce. 

“American consumers rely on experienced food safety inspectors to ensure the food we eat is safe, and that food-borne illnesses are prevented before they can create public health crises. The administration has already forced 555 workers from FSIS to leave through other means, leading to a reduced work force, increased pressure on remaining employees and a higher risk of an outbreak due to understaffing.

“USDA previously acknowledged the importance of food inspection workers by exempting them from the federal hiring freeze. This union-busting not only strips workers of their legally protected right to organize, but also increases the likelihood of future outbreaks by undermining the health and safety of our nation’s food system.”