ESSENTIAL WORKERS
ESSENTIAL PROTECTIONS
Every person deserves to come home from work safe and healthy
Every Nebraskan deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in a safe and welcoming work environment. Nebraska workers contribute their skills and talents to our communities and deserve secure, well-paying jobs. For more than a decade, we have seen the devastating impact of inhumane work speeds and production pressures on individuals, families, and Nebraska communities.

Nicholas Grandgenett
He/Him/His
Staff Attorney
Immigrants & Communities
ngrandgenett@neappleseed.org
402-438-8853 x134

Gloria Sarmiento
She/Her/Hers
Sr. Community Organizer
Immigrants & Communities
gsarmiento@neappleseed.org
402-438-8853 x111
Workers’ Rights
We create employee education programs to inform Nebraska’s workers on their right to a safe workplace. Learn about health and safety, how to make a complaint to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), payment of wages, discrimination at work, workers’ compensation (compensation if there is an injury or accident at work). Below you will find videos, brochures, and links to other organizations and resources.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AT WORK videos
This video covers your right to health and safety in meatpacking and poultry plants (and other workplaces) and how you can act on those rights.
In practical terms and real-life settings, the video covers: your right to a safe workplace under OSHA, the dangers of crippling work speed injuries, early warning signs of serious injuries, reporting injuries, your right to training, choosing your own doctor, how to file a complaint with OSHA, and your right to report safety concerns or injuries without retaliation by your employer.
Click below to view any scene or to play the whole video above.
LOCAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU
- Nebraska Appleseed, (402) 438-8853 x205
- Heartland Workers Center, (402) 933-6095
- United Food and Commercial Workers’ Union (UFCW) Local 293, (402) 721-0429
- Unity in Action (South Sioux City), (712) 281-4011
- Deyanira Salgado, Nebraska Meatpacking Workers’ Bill of Rights Coordinator/Labor Law Investigator, (402) 471-4720