Working Conditions
Like in many other industries and factories at the time, the workers worked in crowded and unsanitary conditions. Many meat packers and workers had injuries, such as cuts or sprains. Some caught infectious diseases. These injuries would then put the workers out of jobs (if they didn't die), making them unable to support themselves in family.
Along with unsafe working conditions, workers were paid low wages, which could decrease further. One way was through inaccurate tracking of work done. If a worker was paid based on how much they've done, like how many cans they've painted or packaged, the number of items they've finished could be misreported. In another case, workers could also be made to work faster, completing work in less time. However, they would still be paid the same amount hourly. This meant that workers would be paid less yet still complete the same amount of work. Women were also paid less than men, and child labor was common. Companies would readily hire children to do the same amount of work adults did, but paid them less.
Many of the workers were immigrants seeking opportunity in America. Yet they found themselves overworked and exploited. Many did not speak English or truly understand what was going on. Even if they did, they continued to work the jobs that exploited them because it was the only way for them to survive.