Sumter, SC (WLTX) - The the South Carolina National Action Network plans to investigate the Pilgrim's Pride chicken plant in Sumter after hearing a list of grievances from workers.
The group's state chapter president, Elder James Johnson, is comparing it to slave labor.
"I want the world to know this is just worst as a sweatshop in China somewhere, it's actually slave labor," Johnson said.
"What's more important, this chicken or the people that's got to run your chicken," asked a worker at the meeting.
Employees at the say they've been pushed too far.
"It's unacceptable, and it's been a long time coming," the employee said.
On Thursday, workers walked out of the plant after claiming a person in a supervisory position was overheard calling the minority workers "roaches."
On Sunday, they met with Elder Johnson to discuss their grievances.
"We've got a lot of cries but we're only going to touch on certain things," the worker said, on behalf of the employees.
One of their first grievances expressed at the meeting was the inability to use the restroom at will.
"I've got to beg for the bathroom break," the worker said. "You don't know my personal problems, I need to use the restroom and I'm telling you!"
That leads to the second grievance. They say they can only go to the bathroom on breaks, which they don't believe they get enough of.
"We're working anywhere from nine to 12 hours a day, with two 30 minute breaks," the worker said. "An hour and a half after clocking in is our first break."
Grievance three, they say they aren't given adequate personal protection equipment. They say they have to buy extra gloves and company clothing with their own money and can't get another smock without a supervisor. Working with chicken, they say getting wet is a reoccurring part of the job.
"I don't have time to get a supervisor I'm on break," the worker said. "[If you can't find a supervisor] You're stuck with a wet smock. What if I have cut on my hand? With these gloves, these gloves are wet. I need gloves!"
Other grievances they listed include not easily being able to take vacation time off, not being able to respond to family emergencies, and having their jobs threatened or facing punishment if they try to leave the line early.
Johnson says he plans to launch an investigation on these claims immediately.
"It only happens to poor and black people," Johnson said. "We have to turn this around, they cannot work under these conditions anymore."
News 19 has been reaching out to the company for comment since Thursday. We were told on Friday that our request has been forwarded to the best person set to answer our questions.