Our country’s grocery, retail, pharmacy and food processing workers are working tirelessly during this outbreak to ensure families get the food and supplies they need. America’s food workers are on the front lines of the pandemic and play a critical role not just in the economy but in the healthy functioning and survival of our society. And we have been fighting for additional resources and job protection for our members.

Members at the following food packing and processing plants can expect some changes (including but not limited to what is listed below) during the ongoing corona virus crisis:

Conagra

• Workers should come to work when they are well and remain home when they are ill. Points for COVID-19 absences will not be accrued beginning March 16 through April 12; this timeframe may be modified.
• Will pay workers who are quarantined due to: Contracting COVID-19; Knowledge of direct exposure to COVID-19; need to care for a spouse, child, or parent due to a COVID-19 related quarantine. Workers must confirm diagnosis or need to quarantine on HR form. (Does not cover closure of schools, day care or the closure of other childcare facilities.)
• Conagra workers will receive a one-time bonus on April 3, 2020.

Tyson

• Will eliminate points for missing work due to COVID illness or due to child-care issues, but must properly notify management about illness or child-care issues.
• For anyone entering the facility and every worker before each shift – their body temperature will be taken. If anyone has a temperature of 100.4 or greater, they will not be allowed to access the facility.
• Workers who are sent home due to protocols associated with COVID-19 (including travel to a Level 3 country or exposure through contact with a confirmed diagnosed COVID-19 person) will be paid for the 14-day isolation period.
• For workers diagnosed with the flu or COVID-19, short-term disability, will waive short-term disability (STD) waiting period; workers will get STD pay starting the first week and continuing for period outlined in STD plan.
• Waived co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles for doctor visits, COVID-19 testing, as well as eliminated pre-approval or preauthorization steps.
• Waived co-pays for the use of telemedicine and relaxed refill limits for 30-day prescriptions of maintenance medications.

Plumrose/JBS

• Workers who may be or are ill with a fever or respiratory infection are to stay home until they are symptom free for 24 hours, without the use of medication. Workers with symptoms will be treated under the same protocol as the flu.
• Workers who test positive for COVID-19 or have other illnesses that prevent them from working will be subject to the short-term disability (STD) plan.
• Workers eligible for STD benefits if they meet the following criteria (but can choose to continue working):
  • Workers age 70 and older, or Workers who are pregnant, or Workers who are being treated for cancer, worker’s elimination period will be waived. (Must have worked for the company at least 30 days and meet the above criteria to be eligible.)
• Short-term disability benefits available via normal payroll; normal taxes and deductions will be deducted from paycheck.
• Line speeds slowing to increase the staggering of breaks to have fewer workers in the break areas at one time
• Enhanced sanitation procedures throughout its facilities.

Again, this is not an exhaustive list of changes. As always, should you have questions or if you’d like more information, please contact your Union Representative.