A heated debate has emerged about the potential impact on local jobs and the broader community as Denver voters prepare to decide whether to pass a citywide slaughterhouse ban. While Initiated Ordinance 309 is a significant step towards creating a more humane city, it also raises concerns about job loss for those employed in Denver’s slaughterhouse industry.

To find out more, we asked Jose Huizar, a former employee at Superior Farms slaughterhouse what he thinks about the measure’s impact on slaughterhouse jobs in Denver. 

Q: If Denver’s slaughterhouse does get shut down, do you think there’s any cause to worry about people being able to find jobs?

“If the slaughterhouse did shut down, I don’t believe that it’d be hard for people to find jobs because that’s something that has changed over time. Now you do have more opportunities, and you can educate yourself to a certain level. Generationally, we now teach our kids to keep going to school, to pursue their career goals. It’s changed. So if the slaughterhouse was to be taken down, I don’t think it’d make a difference at all on jobs, not at all.

“My experience working with Superior Farms was not a good one. There have been times where I was out of work and I thought maybe I should go back, but just driving right in front of it, I knew I would never do that work again.”

The Reality of Slaughterhouse Jobs

Many recent employee testimonies paint a stark picture of working conditions at Superior Farms Denver, challenging the company’s claims of providing 160 “well-paying jobs.” These firsthand accounts reveal a troubling reality far removed from the narrative promoted by the facility’s supporters.

A former manager wrote this review of Superior Farms Denver on Indeed: “The company does not have a good culture. High turnover, low pay, and long hours.” This sentiment was echoed by another employee who described the job as having “Low pay, high hours, and a rough working environment by normal standards.”

Safety concerns are prevalent, with one worker stating, “This place cares more about numbers than anything, including safety of employees.” And the data supports these worker testimonials –  The Denver slaughterhouse has been fined a whopping $91,811 for wage and hours violations and workplace safety and health violations over the past 13 years.

Most alarmingly, there’s an allegation of illegal hiring practices, with a former employee claiming Superior Farms hired undocumented workers and provided fake identification. 

Isn’t Denver’s Slaughterhouse Employee-Owned?

Employee turnover in the slaughterhouse industry is exceptionally high, often exceeding 100% annually, especially for workers on the kill floor. When pressed by a journalist at their press conference on September 11, a representative of the Denver slaughterhouse refused to disclose what the turnover rate is at their facility, but acknowledged that one employee who had stayed at the plant for 3 years was “an outlier”. This is crucial, because workers at Superior Farms only become eligible for employee ownership benefits after 3 years of continuous employment. In practice, this allows the company to claim to be “employee-owned” while quickly burning through vulnerable workers in the most dangerous and psychologically punishing jobs, most of which pay barely over Denver’s minimum wage. 

In the 14 months between when Initiated Ordinance 309 passes and when Superior Farms will be forced to close or relocate, most of the employees are likely to have moved on anyway. During those 14 months and after, workers will be prioritized in workforce retraining programs financed by Denver’s $40M annual Climate Protection Fund. This program transitions workers to careers in green industries, offering training and apprenticeships serving underrepresented communities.

Addressing Job Loss Concerns Through Reemployment Training

To explore what Denver’s Initiated Ordinance 309 could mean for slaughterhouse workers in Denver, we spoke with Jessi Geist, Director of Development at Brave New Life Project, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting slaughterhouse workers in their transition to new careers.

“Brave New Life Project provides a range of free services starting with resume building, because that’s how workers get their foot in the door. We also offer interview support, including translation assistance to help non-English speakers navigate the process. Additionally, we actively seek and apply for jobs on their behalf, allowing them to continue working while transitioning.”

Jessi and her team have already helped several slaughterhouse workers find alternative employment, along with connecting them to local resources and is ready to help more workers at Superior Farms find new careers in safer and more empowering industries.

6 Reasons Why Slaughterhouse Jobs Do More Harm Than Good

While slaughterhouse jobs provide employment, they often come with significant challenges that can take a toll on workers’ physical and mental health. Jessi Geist shared insights from workers she’s spoken with, shedding light on the harsh realities of slaughterhouse work:

1. Dangerous Work Environment

Slaughterhouse work is consistently ranked among the most dangerous jobs in the United States. The combination of sharp tools and fast-moving production lines creates an environment where serious injuries are all too common. According to OSHA, there have been multiple serious injuries at the Denver slaughterhouse in recent years, including a horrific incident involving a finger amputation.

“Working with knives is always dangerous, and the fast line speeds create more opportunities for injury,” says Jessi. “Many workers feel trapped in these jobs, believing they have no other options, and this increases the risk of severe injury.”

2. Same Day, Mandatory Overtime

Beyond the physical dangers, slaughterhouse workers often face unpredictable and demanding schedules that disrupt their personal lives. Jessi highlights the experience of one worker who described mandatory overtime that could extend shifts by several hours without prior notice placing unnecessary stress on families:

“At the end of their shift, a certain bell would ring, signaling mandatory overtime. Workers would have to stay additional hours, making it incredibly hard for those with families to manage their responsibilities.”

Restrictive workplace policies further compound the difficulties faced by slaughterhouse workers. Jessi recounts how bathroom breaks are tightly controlled, with workers being written up or denied breaks if they exceed the allotted time:

“The bathroom breaks are timed, and if you go over, you get written up. Often, you’re even denied a bathroom break if you ask.”

Imagine not being able to take a bathroom break and trying to focus on dangerous machinery.

4. Language Barriers and Lack of Proper Documentation

For many immigrant workers, language barriers and inadequate documentation add another layer of difficulty. Jessi explains that many workers at the Denver slaughterhouse come from countries where neither English nor Spanish is the primary language, yet all safety documents and employee handbooks are only provided in these two languages:

“There’s only Spanish and English written, but at slaughterhouses, there are tons of immigrants from different countries. This puts them at a disadvantage, especially when it comes to understanding their rights and advocating for themselves.”

5. Allegations of Discrimination and Unethical Practices

The troubling working conditions are exacerbated by allegations of discrimination and unethical practices within the industry. A 2021 lawsuit filed against Superior Farms Denver by a Muslim employee responsible for Halal slaughter brought several issues to light:

• Discrimination: The employee alleged that he was subjected to racial and religious slurs, denied bathroom breaks, and refused time off for religious observances.
• Unethical Practices: The lawsuit also claimed that the company abandoned Halal practices while continuing to sell meat labeled as Halal.
• Retaliation: When the employee refused to falsely certify non-Halal meat as Halal, he was wrongfully terminated.

These allegations highlight the deep ethical concerns and discriminatory practices that can occur in slaughterhouses, further justifying the need for industry reform.

6. PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety

The cumulative effect of these challenging working conditions takes a severe toll on workers’ mental health. Jessi emphasizes that the physical dangers, demanding schedules, restrictive policies, and discriminatory practices contribute to high rates of depression, anxiety, and even PTSD among slaughterhouse workers:

“We’ve seen how this work can lead to severe mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The stressful, dangerous, and often dehumanizing conditions in slaughterhouses make this work incredibly challenging.”

Ordinance 309: Prioritizing Slaughterhouse Workers in No-Cost Job Skills Programs

Colorado’s strong job market (there are currently 100 jobs for every 52 workers), combined with targeted support from organizations like Brave New Life Project, offers promising opportunities for those displaced by the slaughterhouse ban. Jessi highlights the importance of quick placement in new jobs to minimize the disruption caused by the ban:

“We’ve started to create a list of high-hiring-rate companies in the Globeville Elyria-Swansea area. This will help us reduce the amount of time it takes to place someone in a new job if the Denver slaughterhouse ban passes. With our resources, we’re confident that we can help workers transition smoothly and find stable, fulfilling employment. The minimum wage in Denver is over $18 an hour, so new jobs they transition into could offer better pay and working conditions.”

In addition, if Initiative 309 passes, Denver’s green workforce training and assistance program will be required to prioritize workers at Superior Farms slaughterhouse in Denver. This cutting-edge program provides paid training and apprenticeships and paths to quality green jobs with fair wages and benefits. These opportunities are funded by Denver’s $40M per year Climate Protection Fund, which was passed by voters in 2020. A major aspect of the Climate Protection Fund is focusing on assisting people of color and other underserved communities in finding fulfilling employment that supports a more sustainable future for our city. 

Supporting Human and Animal Rights: The Broader Impact of the Denver Slaughterhouse Ban

The potential closure of Denver’s slaughterhouses is part of a broader societal shift towards more humane, sustainable, and environmentally-minded practices. This evolution isn’t just about changing careers; it’s about improving overall well-being and creating a greater quality of life in economically deprived communities. The Brave New Life Project exemplifies how we can support workers through this transition, ensuring that no one is left behind.

“It’s not the first time that slaughterhouse workers have left the industry and moved into different careers,” Jessi notes. “We’re here to help them every step of the way.”

Why Voting Yes on the Denver Slaughterhouse Ban Is a Vote For Workers

As we evolve as a society, it’s crucial to remember that progress doesn’t have to come at the expense of those who have long been on the frontlines of our food system. The Brave New Life Project and Denver’s Climate Protection Fund are dedicated to ensuring that this transition benefits everyone. By voting YES on the Denver slaughterhouse ban, you can support a more humane future for our city—one where workers are empowered to pursue safer, more fulfilling careers, and where the true human cost of our food system is no longer hidden behind closed doors.