The Region : Unions Seek Probe of Meat Inspection

Three union officials have demanded an immediate investigation by Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Ira Reiner’s office into meat inspection in Southern California. Don Holeman, president of the 6,000-member Butchers Local 274, cited a recent story in The Times detailing the findings of an areawide survey by the federal Food Safety and Inspection Service. The report listed sanitary violations and concluded that meat inspection in Southern California is “below the national norm.” Holeman was joined by Ricardo F. Icaza, president of Retail Clerks Local 770 in Los Angeles, and James S. Bird, secretary-treasurer of Meat Cutters Local 439 in Claremont, in calling for a probe.