Culver's approach to Agriprocessors on target
The company has some culpability in these charges
By TELEGRAPH HERALD EDITORIAL

Officials at Agriprocessors are stinging after Gov. Chet Culver's indictment of the company in a column published in Sunday's Des Moines Register. A spokesperson for the meatpacker called the editorial piece a guilty verdict before the company has ever stood trial.

It is indeed unusual for a top government official to issue a detailed statement critical of a private business, but Agriprocessors is not your usual business. Culver deserves credit for his willingness to come down hard on the business practices of Agriprocessors. So far, the state of Iowa is far exceeding the federal government in addressing the problems at the Postville meatpacker.

The feds drew headlines when they executed a May 12 raid arresting 389 illegal workers. What charges have come of this sweep, the largest raid in U.S. history at the time? Two men -- Juan Carlos Guerrero-Espinoza and Martin De La Rosa-Loera -- were charged with encouraging illegal immigrants to reside in the U.S. and aiding and abetting the possession and use of fraudulent identification. That's it. After 3 1/2 months, just two people have been charged. No charges have been filed against the company or its top executives.

The state of Iowa, meanwhile, has been busy getting tough on the company. Earlier this month, the Iowa labor commissioner announced it had found 57 egregious violations of child labor laws. With potential for millions of dollars in fines, the charges constitute the highest volume of underage worker violations in Iowa's history. Then last week, Iowa labor officials accused the meatpacking plant of 31 new and repeat safety violations.

Culver isn't stopping there. He's encouraged the attorney general to pursue all charges at the plant and ordered the plant's job openings not be listed on the state's Web site.

Culver is right to execute the full-court press on Agriprocessors. Because of the broiling immigration issue, the Postville story has caught the attention of the nation. As the details unfold, the state must send a loud and clear message that the illegal and substandard employment practices of Agriprocessors will not be tolerated in Iowa. The issues here aren't all about immigration. They are about safe working conditions, employment of underage workers and food supply safety. Past allegations against the company include water pollution and animal cruelty. This is a company that is facing violations on multiple fronts. The governor's strong statement is a fair response to protecting the integrity of Iowa's business reputation.

Let's hope Culver's remarks remind federal officials that their work here isn't done. The May federal raid found nearly half of the company's employees to be undocumented. Enforcement of immigration laws must extend to companies, not just employees. Culver and state officials seem to be the only branch of government willing to hold the company accountable.
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