Hormel workers allege company violated state's new sick and safe time law originally appeared on Bring Me The News. Workers at the Austin -based plant of Hormel Foods have filed a class-action lawsuit against the company, alleging it has violated the state's new earned sick and safe time (ESST) law.

Workers are suing Minnesota-based Hormel Foods, alleging the food giant does not allow employees to take paid time off if they get sick.

The union representing more than 1,600 Hormel workers in Austin announced a class action lawsuit on Wednesday alleging the meat processing giant violated Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law for 14 months by forcing workers to use vacation time if they called in sick.