UCFW protests Tyson vaccine requirement

The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) raised objections to the recently-announced Tyson Foods vaccine mandate, citing concerns that the requirement did not wait until the vaccine was fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) raised objections to the recently-announced Tyson Foods vaccine mandate, citing concerns that the requirement did not wait until the vaccine was fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“While we support and encourage workers getting vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, and have actively encouraged our members to do so, it is concerning that Tyson’s is implementing this mandate before the FDA has fully approved the vaccine,” UFCW International president Marc Perrone said in a statement.

We believe the FDA must provide full approval of the vaccines and help address some of the questions and concerns that workers have. Additionally, employers should provide paid time off so that their essential workers can receive the vaccine without having to sacrifice their pay, and can rest as needed while their body adjusts to the vaccine and strengthens their immune system to fight off the virus.”

The UCFW will be meeting with Tyson in the next few weeks to discuss the vaccine requirement in order “to ensure that the rights of these workers are protected, and this policy is fairly implemented,” Perrone added.

The UFCW represents 250,000 U.S. meatpacking and food processing workers, including 24,000 Tyson meatpacking employees.

Vaccines required by November 1

All Tyson Foods U.S. employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 1, 2021, the company announced August 3. 

Half of Tyson Food’s 120,000 U.S. employees are currently vaccinated. All front-line employees who receive the vaccine are eligible for a $200 bonus, as well as up to four hours of pay if they get inoculated outside of work.

“To protect team members, their families and their communities, we’re requiring team members at our U.S. office locations to be fully vaccinated by October 1, 2021. All other team members are required to be fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021, subject to ongoing discussions with locations represented by unions.  We understand our obligation to negotiate in good faith with the unions that represent some of our workers and our intent to require our unionized team members be vaccinated is subject to completing negotiations with the union,” Tyson Foods wrote in an e-mailed statement to WATTPoultry.

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