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Food sanitation company pays $1.5 million child labor fine
In 2022, a U.S. Department of Labor investigation determined Kieler-based Packers Sanitation Services Inc. employed more than 100 children in “hazardous” conditions.
KIELER, Wis. — One of the largest food safety sanitation service providers in the country has paid more than $1.5 million in fines after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found the company violated child labor laws.
Last year, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division determined Kieler, Wisconsin-based Packers Sanitation Services Inc. LTD employed at least 102 children between the ages of 13 and 17 and had them working in “hazardous occupations.”
According to a press release from the agency, the three-month investigation determined children were working at 13 facilities across eight states, including three plants in Minnesota. The minors were working overnight shifts, working with hazardous chemicals and cleaning meat processing equipment like back saws and head splitters, and according to the Department of Labor, at least three were injured while working for PSSI.
In December, PSSI settled with the Department of Labor and agreed in the U.S. District Court of Nebraska to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act child labor provisions and “take significant steps to ensure future compliance with the law.”
The agreement also called for PSSI to a hire a third party consultant to monitor work sites and hiring for three years.
“These children should never have been employed in meat packing plants and this can only happen when employers do not take responsibility to prevent child labor violations from occurring in the first place,” Principal Deputy Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman said in a statement.
In total, PSSI paid $1,544,076 in civil penalties on Feb. 16, 2023.
The three Minnesota processing plants included in the investigation were Turkey Valley Farms in Marshall, Buckhead Meat of Minnesota in St. Cloud, and JBS Foods in Worthington.
Penalties from violations at the three plants topped more than $378,000 and affected 25 children – two in Marshall, one in St. Cloud and 22 in Worthington.
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Kare11
Local volunteers for both campaigns make final push
With the election seemingly razor-thin, volunteers will continue working until the final ballot is cast.
MINNEAPOLIS — With only a few days left until Election Day, volunteers from both campaigns are doing what they can during the final push.
On Saturday, Kamala Harris supporters canvassed in north Minneapolis. They knocked on doors encouraging those who hadn’t voted yet, to do so.
In Lakeville, Trump supporters gathered with Congressional District 2 candidates, as they geared up to reach those final voters.
“Donald Trump lost by a small margin here in Minnesota and we want that to be different this year, this time around,” said Crystal Mcdonnell. Mcdonnell canvases not only to try and sway voters to Trump but also to help them fulfill their civic duty.
“(We) offer assistance in registering to vote, give rides to fellow patriots who may not have the means to get out and vote,” Mcdonnell said.
In north Minneapolis, first-time canvasser Samirya Strong was doing her part to help her candidate win.
“We need to activate everyone who is able to vote, to vote up and down for freedom and justice and equality for all,” Strong said.
With the election seemingly razor thin, this type of leg work from both campaigns will continue until the final ballot is cast Tuesday night.
Kare11
Young children pulled from burning townhome Saturday
Four people, three children and an adult, were taken to the hospital Saturday night after a townhome fire on County Road D East.
VADNAIS HEIGHTS, Minn. — A witness said multiple children were pulled from a burning townhome in Vadnais Heights early Saturday evening.
Chief Chris Hearden with Vandnais Heights Fire said in a press release that four local fire departments were called to a fire in a townhome complex at around 5:40 on Saturday evening.
When crews arrived in the 1000 block of County Road D East, they saw fire and heavy smoke pouring from a townhome.
A neighbor told KARE 11’s Ian Russell that he ran to help, but the flames were too hot for him to go inside. He said he heard the kids screaming and then saw them pulled from the home.
“Tried my best to run in there… the fire, the smoke… don’t know the blueprint, don’t know the surroundings, couldn’t see nothing so I got out of there,” said Venjoseph Brown, obviously shaken. “I was no use… and there was still kids in there. If it was that bad on the outside, I could wonder what they was goin’ through.”
Officials confirmed two young children were pulled from the burning building by emergency crews. Two other victims, an adult and another child, were able to escape on their own. All four were taken to Regions Hospital and Hearden said their conditions are unknown at this time.
Engines from Vadnais Heights, Little Canada, Maplewood and White Bear Lake worked to knock down the fire, which appeared to be out as of 7:15 p.m. Crews on scene noted that damage to the first floor of the townhome was extensive.
The Vadnais Heights Fire Department, Ramsey County Fire Investigation Team and the State Fire Marshall’s Office are all investigating the cause of this fire.
Kare11
Neighbor says children were pulled from burning townhome
VADNAIS HEIGHTS, Minn. — A witness said multiple children were pulled from a burning townhome in Vadnais Heights early Saturday evening.
Fire crews from a number of east metro departments were dispatched to the home at 1087 County Road D East around 5:45 p.m. A neighbor told KARE 11’s Ian Russell that he ran to help, but the flames were too hot for him to go inside. He said children were pulled from the home. At this time it is unclear how many victims or what their conditions are.
Engines worked to knock down the fire, which appeared to be out or at least under control as of 7:15 p.m.
This is a developing story. KARE 11 will update as details become available.
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