I’m not saying meat processing doesn’t involve skill. I realize that there are several skills involving meat cutting. But there are also lots of low skilled jobs involved that workers could pick up without too much effort.
And as far as troops go, number one, I wouldn’t expect them to have to be at this for too long a period. And number two, at least they know how to follow orders and follow good hygiene practices. And unless you’re living in a sealed box with no contact with your average government educated or uneducated person, you know how sloppy work ethics have become over the last few decades. Why else do they have to put signs in restrooms, reminding food workers they must wash their hands after using the toilet? If you think they all actually obey that sign, you’d be wrong.
One of the biggest turnovers at packing plants, is the kill floor! For obvious reasons. The animals know they are about to die!
Good points — up to a point. Yes, there are low-skilled, semi-skilled and skilled trades jobs in meatpacking & the low-skilled ones could be replaced quickly. However, there’s long been a perennial shortage of skilled workers in food processing plants. Low wages, relative to the skill level, probably explain the shortage (and the number of foreign workers used to close the gap).
What you say about troops is true — I’m just objecting to the tendency of governments to view them as some kind of reserve labour pool. Here, in Canada, we’ve had troops used to clear snow in the winter, fill sandbags during floods; and, most recently, work in nursing homes where the staff has bailed due to the health risks. I think that disrespects the troops, who have unique skill sets of their own. It’s great P.R. for the military — but, IMHO, it does interfere with readiness. Also, while Canada mostly sits on the sidelines of world affairs; we do need the troops to be ready when they’re needed. Putting trained troops at risk of contagion doesn’t seem wise — especially, at a time when adversaries are poised to take advantage of this situation.
So, yes — use them if they’re needed; but, make sure there isn’t a better solution first.