The families of three deceased Tyson Foods employees from Waterloo, Iowa, has filed a lawsuit against Tyson Foods and its top executives.
The plaintiffs allege Tyson Foods knowingly put employees at risk of contracting COVID-19 and lied to them in order to keep them on the job. They further allege Tyson officials were aware that the coronavirus was spreading at the Tyson Fresh Meats pork plant in Waterloo by late March or early April, but kept that information from the employees and the greater public, according to an Associated Press report in the Martinsville Bulletin.
“Tyson intended by these false representations to deceive workers in the Waterloo facility ... and to induce them to continue working despite the uncontrolled COVID-19 outbreak at the plant and the health risks associated with working,” according to the lawsuit, which was filed in Black Hawk County District Court.
The suit seeks damages for the estates of employees Sedika Buljic, Reberiano Garcia and Jose Ayala. Buljic and Garica died in April, while Ayala died in May.
Tyson Foods on April 22 announced plans to suspend production at the Waterloo plant, after it had been running at reduced levels of production due to worker absenteeism. About 2,800 people are employed at the plant. Operations resumed on a limited basis on May 7.
All team members that returned to work were tested for COVID-19, and any team member who tested positive was to remain on sick leave until released by health officials to return to work, the company said in a press release. Team members who were not tested were not allowed to return to work and all new hires were to be tested prior to starting work.
While the plant was idle, the company performed an additional deep clean and sanitization of the entire facility.
In a statement, Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said company was saddened by the deaths and that its “top priority is the health and safety of our workers.” He added that Tyson has implemented safety measures that meet or exceed federal guidelines.
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