Tyson Foods confirmed that four employees at its poultry processing plant in Camilla, Georgia, have died after contracting COVID-19.
“We’re heartbroken over the loss of four team members from our family at Camilla, Georgia. The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated communities in southern Georgia and throughout the world,” said Hector Gonzalez, Tyson Foods senior vice president of human resources.
Gonzales did not identify the employees, but in a press release, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), a union which has members who work at the Camilla plant, identified three of the four deceased employees, as Elose Wills, Mary Holt and Annie Grant. Collectively, those three had been members of RWDSU for 75 years.
Tyson’s actions to protect workers in Camilla
The poultry plant in Camilla continues to operate, but the company has adopted extra measures to make sure its workers’ health and safety are protected.
“We realize everyone is anxious during this challenging time and believe information is the best tool for combating the virus,” Gonzalez said. “That’s why we’re encouraging our team members to share their concerns with us, so we can help address them. We’re extremely grateful for what they do and the role they play in the critical supply chain that extends from farm to fork.”
One way the company is protecting its workers, Gonzalez said, is by relaxing its attendance policies to encourage workers to stay at home when they are sick.
The company is also taking extra steps to make sure the team members who show up for work are healthy and are at low risk of spreading illnesses.
“We’re working diligently to protect our people by taking their temperatures – we’ve installed infrared scanners to help with that effort -- we’re requiring protective face coverings and deep cleaning our facilities. Since March, we’ve implemented social distancing measures, such as installing workstation dividers and providing more breakroom space,” Goznales said.
Tyson Foods said it is also working with RWDSU in an effort to make sure workplace safety measures are as strong as they can be.
“Throughout this pandemic, we have been in direct communication with RWDSU and its leadership to discuss proactive measures we’re taking to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We’re encouraging our team members to practice all guidance, such as social distancing, at home and in their communities, as well as on the job,” said Gonzalez.
“We’re constantly looking for ways to improve and are sharing best practices among our facilities. We continue to update the measures we take in all locations as CDC continues to evolve its guidance.”
Other precautionary measures being taken by Tyson Foods were highlighted by the company’s CEO, Noel White, in a statement he issued on April 6.
Two deaths at Tyson plant in Columbus Junction, Iowa
In addition to the four deaths at the Tyson Foods poultry plant in Camilla, the company also confirmed two employees at its pork plant in Columbus Junction, Iowa, have died.
According to a report in the Des Moines Register, there have been 186 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among workers at that plant.
Operations at the Columbus Junction plant have been suspended.
View our continuing coverage of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
