Meatpacking Workers' Perceptions of Working Conditions, Psychological Contracts, and Organizational Justice

• Published in: The journal of Latino-Latin American studies 2012-03, Vol.4 (1), p.57-76
• Main Authors: Gaston, Maria Teresa, Harrison, Wayne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Beliefs, opinions and attitudes; Justice; Meat industry; Meat industry workers; Migrant labor; Officials and employees; Organizational behavior; Psychological contract; Social aspects; Work environment
• ISSN: 1549-9502
• DOI: 10.18085/llas.4.1.8682737q98745217

What are Latino immigrants' beliefs about the obligations of their employers in the meatpacking industry? Do they feel they are treated fairly as workers? This study explores the working conditions, psychological contracts, and organizational justice of Latino immigrant workers in commercial meat processing in the United States. The history of this essential industry in Nebraska, including the Nebraska Meatpacking Workers Bill of Rights, is provided as well as background on the key theories of psychological contract and organizational justice. Data gathered in Spanish and English surveys from 429 line workers in five communities near meatpacking plants in Nebraska are analyzed. Worker perceptions of informational justice, interpersonal justice, procedural justice, safety, satisfaction, and psychological contract are reported, and differences by union status, gender, and work site (company) are explored. Evidence of low procedural justice and high injury rates confirms reports of dangerous working conditions for both men and women. Advantages of union membership were found for some measures of justice. Similarly, working conditions and perceived fairness differed by work site. Findings provide a rare glimpse into the perceptions of hidden workers in this vital industry. Survey measures of organizational justice can benefit workers and the industry in clarifying rights and contracts.