|
|
Unofficial sister cities: Meatpacking labor migration between Villachuato, Mexico, and Marshalltown, Iowa
- Article from:
-
Human Organization
- Article date:
-
January 1, 2002
- Author:
- Grey, Mark A; Woodrick, Anne C
|
Copyright informationCopyright Society of Applied Anthropology Winter 2002. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
The meatpacking plant in Marshalltown, Iowa, is heavily dependent on production workers from one Mexican community. Not only has this plant developed a dependence on these immigrants, but the migrants, their families, and their home town have become economically and socially dependent on the plan
t. The result of this symbiotic relationship is the establishment of an unofficial "sister city" relationship between Marshalltown and Villachuato, Mexico. This article explores the emergence of this relationship and its consequences for both communities. It also explores some of the implications for the future of rural midwestern communities that depend on transnational migrant labor.
Key words: ...