Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 4/9/10

A class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Perdue Farms Inc. workers alleges the company knowingly hired illegal immigrants.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama Southern Division, targets numerous plant managers and human resource personnel for carrying out an "illegal immigrant hiring scheme" that violates federal immigration laws and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO). The "scheme" also depressed the wages of legal workers below market levels, attorneys with Mount Pleasant, S.C.-based Motley Rice LLC said in a news release.

The suit was filed on behalf of all hourly workers legally employed in the United States and employed by Perdue since March 2006 at 16 of the company's poultry processing plants. Those facilities, according to the complaint, are located in Accomac, Va.; Bridgewater, Va.; Concord, N.C.; Cromwell, Ky.; Dillon, S.C.; Dothan, Ala.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Georgetown, Del.; Lewistown, N.C.; Milford, Del.; Monterey, Tenn.; Perry, Ga.; Rockingham, N.C.; Salisbury, Md.; Showell, Md.; and Washington, Ind.

"The plaintiffs believe that there are likely thousands of Perdue Farms employees who qualify as putative class members," the attorneys said.

Perdue spokesman Luis Luna told Meatingplace that Perdue does not condone illegal hiring practices and adheres to federal and state laws. He noted the company uses the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify system at all its facilities as well as auditors who independently check that its procedures are being followed.

"This lawsuit is a fishing expedition," Luna said. "They even list plants that have not been in operation for years. Lawyers are doing this to other companies as well. Perdue will fight this lawsuit vigorously."

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