Workers from temp agencies are less invested in their jobs because they are paid poorly, trained poorly, treated poorly and are often looking for something better. They are less likely to report a health hazard because they can be fired at the drop of a hat and replaced. They are denied the rights entitled to unionized or regular workers. Management rarely has the capacity to fully train a transient, temporary workforce so a temp worker may not know proper health and safety protocols. This creates an obvious danger zone. Their lack of healthcare benefits and sick days brings workers' illnesses into the food processing facilities which than get passed on to consumers.

Unionized workers, on the other hand are often more dedicated to their jobs. They are paid more and thus, more likely to take pride and care in their jobs. They're less likely to get fired for pressuring management to fix the leaky roof that may contaminate the food processing plant.

Here's a way to really keep the nation safe and stimulate the economy in the long run:
Preserve good, union jobs. When workers are paid well and know they have job security in the long run, they are more likely to spend and invest in the economy. Stop replacing good jobs with temporary, subcontracted jobs. Temporary workers and their subcontracting agencies are less accountable to consumers. Click here to read more about the downsides of contract labor.

As US consumers we need to start thinking more about how the exploitation of workers worldwide has contributed to our broken food system. Let's prevent the next food crisis and take care of our food workers first.