Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., the beef and pork subsidiary of Tyson
Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), announced its plans to resume limited
production at its Logansport, Indiana, facility next week,
following a plant tour with local health and government officials,
a union representative, and medical professionals. The pork
processing facility temporarily halted operations on April 25 to
test its team members for COVID-19.
Team members were asked to self-isolate until their results
returned. The company is working with local health officials on
verification of test results and will communicate with team members
prior to the restart date, while following CDC guidance on safely
returning employees back to work. Workers who test positive or have
symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be directed to reach out to
their health care provider, continue to self-isolate, and
encouraged to take protective steps to care for themselves. Workers
who test negative will be asked to return to work, provided they
remain asymptomatic.
“We’ve taken additional precautions to reassure team members
that they are returning to a safe work environment and have made
additional changes to continue supporting them during this global
health crisis,” said Todd Neff, senior vice president pork.
“While the facility was idled, we added more workstation
barriers, installed more hand sanitizer dispensers, and did
additional deep cleaning and sanitation. We’re also now screening
employees for additional symptoms and designating monitors to help
enforce social distancing, while following the CDC and OSHA’s
guidance for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers and Employers.”
In addition, the Logansport facility is the first of several
Tyson plants to receive a mobile health clinic, operated by Matrix
Medical Network, to provide community-based services ranging from
diagnostic (PCR) testing for COVID-19, assist with the
environmental design of the facility to mitigate the risk of the
virus spread, as well as conduct daily on-site clinical
screening.
The company has doubled its bonus for employees. Team members
who cannot come to work due to illness or childcare will continue
to qualify, but bonus eligibility will depend on attendance. Tyson
Foods also increased short-term disability coverage to 90% of
normal pay until June 30 to encourage team members to stay home
when they are sick.
“Tyson Fresh Meats has worked well with local community leaders
to make sure its re-opening plan is safe,” said Dr. Dori Ditty,
health officer of Cass County Health Department. “We toured the
plant and feel the additional measures implemented will allow
employees to work safely, while continuing to follow CDC guidelines
and recommendations. We’ll continue to closely monitor the
situation to ensure the safety of employees.”
“Tyson has taken strides to help keep their employees safe
during this trying time, while employees received paid time to get
tested,” said Cass County Commissioner, Ryan Browning. “We
recognize Tyson as being a vital partner in the food chain and the
livelihood of our agricultural community and are pleased with all
the measures they continue to implement, including the mobile
medical clinic.”
“The decision to reopen the Logansport plant has my full
support,” said Logansport Mayor, Chris Martin. “We’ve all taken
actions to do more to stop the spread of COVID-19. Tyson is taking
more precautions with the extra measures seen during the plant
tour. The company is doing the right thing and going above and
beyond to make their team and community safe. Our Cass County
health officials have worked endlessly to protect the community and
we’re doing our part by recently signing an executive order to help
prevent the spread of the virus in the city.”
Tyson Fresh Meats’ recently announced its plans to temporarily
halt operations at its Dakota City, Nebraska, beef plant for
additional deep cleaning and sanitation. The group also voluntarily
idled its locations in Waterloo and Perry, Iowa, and Pasco,
Washington, while team members undergo testing and plants complete
deep cleaning of the facilities.
While this is an incredibly challenging time for the food
industry, as it is for all Americans, Tyson is proud of our team
members and their commitment toward our mission to put food on the
tables of millions of homes around the country.
About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. is one of the world’s largest food companies
and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W.
Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the
company has a broad portfolio of products and brands
like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®,
Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State Fair®. Tyson Foods
innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food
for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations
for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale,
Arkansas, the company has 141,000 team members. Through its Core
Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value
for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and
serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted
to it. Visit TYSONFOODS.COM.
About Cass County Health Department
Cass County Health Department is in Logansport, Indiana. It
serves approximately 38,000 residents in the rural community. The
Cass County Health Department works closely with the local
hospital, law enforcement and government to promote health and
safety throughout the community.
About Cass County Government
Founded in 1829, Cass County is home to 37,689 people as of 2019
with its county seat in Logansport. Cass County government protects
and serves citizens of the county.
About the City of Logansport
Located in northern Indiana, Logansport is a city in and the
county seat of Cass County. Logansport ranks as one of the 10
safest cities in Indiana according to BackgroundCheck.org, and is
situated within a half day drive to Chicago, Indianapolis,
Cincinnati, Louisville and Detroit.
Media Contacts:
HLI YANG, 479-290-2122, Hli.Yang@tyson.com
SERENITY ALTER, 574-727-4173, serenity.alter@co.cass.in.us
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