Tyson Foods is ending its relaxed policy on attendance for workers who fear COVID-19 infection, drawing criticism from the union that represents many of its workers.
Starting in mid-March, Tyson had allowed workers who needed to care for children, or were uncomfortable working in close quarters, to miss work without penalty. The company has gone back to penalizing workers who miss shifts by adding points to their records when they do so that could ultimately result in firing. Employees who are diagnosed with COVID or show symptoms of infection can still take paid leave.
Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers, called Tyson’s decision “a serious mistake.”
“As long as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and meatpacking workers are still at risk, none of these companies should be going back to business as usual,” Perrone said in a statement.
Tyson has been especially hard hit by the coronavirus, having to close several plants, including a pork plant in Storm Lake, Iowa. The company is being sued for wrongful death on behalf of an employee who died of COVID.
