Essential Workers

“If my work is essential, my rights can’t be optional!”

The phrase “essential worker” entered our common lexicon in 2020 during the COVID19 pandemic. While a record number of people began to work from home, so-called essential workers largely include low wage earners with front-line jobs critical to the functioning of society. Many of these jobs are notable for difficult working conditions and worker rights abuses.

This poster depicts a meatpacking plant, with a worker of color wearing a protective mask, hair net, and dirty apron facing the viewer. In the U.S in 2020, the median wage for a meatpacker is less than $14/hour. Immigrants, refugees and people of color comprise a large share of the workforce. Working in close, often unsanitary conditions to begin with, meatpacking plants and the rural areas surrounding them have been deadly coronavirus hotspots throughout the pandemic, as the industry has shown its eagerness to put profits ahead of people. In one farcical incident, managers at an Iowa pork plant were found to have placed bets on how many workers would get sick from the virus.

Pricing

Product Details

Print Type

Digital (Union Printed at RLM World Headquarters)

Poster Dimensions

11×17"

Year Created

2020

SKU p1026
Categories , , ,
Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Purchase Fine Art Prints

To buy this print or many others on canvas, metal, acrylic, or as a tapestry in your choice of sizes, visit our page on Fine Art America. (Fine art prints are purchased from and shipped by Fine Art America rather than RLM Art Studio.)

Please be aware that orders containing mounted or framed posters may take an additional 7-10 days to ship. However, we can often ship much sooner. If you’re on a tight schedule, please contact us to see if we can expedite your order.

We take pride in being able to offer ready-to-hang prints of RLM’s work at reasonable prices. In addition to the options listed in the drop-down box above, we also may be able to offer custom options (such as a particular color, matting or odd size) upon request. Inquire at mailroom@rlmartstudio.com. For more information about framing, see our Web Store FAQ.

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