3. Plants employing S23lit-phase operations can probably turn out as 

 sanitary a product as those with continuous operations and overhead 

 lines. Various phases can be separated by shields, partial partitions, 

 and by time rather than by distance and full partitions. But to do 

 this, relatively more time may be needed for clean-up operations 

 between phases. 



4. Split-phase operations are likely to be accompanied by a nearly uni- 

 form hourly rate of pay for all operating employees, whereas with 

 continuous operations (specialization) a differentiated pay scale is 

 likely to exist. 



Labor ProWems 



Most plants indicated they experience a moderate turnover in labor. For 

 many, this is likely to be heaviest in a 10-20 percent segment of the labor 

 force. Variable hours and the concept of poultry dressing as a "dirty job" 

 mav contribute to turnover. 



Small plants rely heavily on family labor, and the small amount of addi- 

 tional labor needed consists of a few long-time employees, local housewives, 

 retired people, high school students employed part-time, and a few "floaters". 

 Many medium-sized plants rely on similar groups. Many of the large plants, 

 while not greatly concerned with the rate of turnover they experienced, made 

 an effort to stabilize hours to keep regular help. 



Near large cities there is increased competition from alternative indus- 

 tries. Unless higher wage rates are paid to keep a better caliber of help, 

 a higher rate of turnover may exist. Aside from an indication of somewhat 

 higher wages in plants in or near the Boston Metropolitan area, average 

 wages paid, by plant size or area, did not appear to differ significantly. 



Waste Disposal Practices 



Most small plants were hauling, or hiring someone to haul feathers, blood, 

 offal, and manure to dumps or incinerators. Half of the medium-sized plants 

 and all of the large plants were able to arrange for Tenderers to pick up 

 feathers at the plant. All of the medium-sized and large plants which evis- 

 cerated were able to get renderers or farmers (mostly piggeries) to pick up 

 this waste at the plant. The same was true for most plants in these size 

 groups with respect to blood and manure. Some plants dumped blood and 

 manure into sewage systems. A few plants were emptying waste materials 

 into open streams or tidewater. Apparently, the more limited volume of 

 waste materials available at small plants was a deterrent to the develop- 

 ment of paying outlets. Added costs for haulage thus accrued to such units,* 



* For a more complere discussion of pouluy plant waste disposal, see: Kahle, H. S., 

 and L. R. Gray, Utilization and Disposal of Poultry By-products and Wastes, Marketing 

 Research Report. No. 143, AMS, USDA, Nov. 1956. 



41 



