Joint Statement on Tyson Fresh Meats Resuming Operations in Pasco, Wash.
May 05 2020 - 9:07AM
Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., the beef and pork subsidiary of Tyson
Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), will resume limited production today at
its Pasco, Washington, beef facility. The facility temporarily
idled operations on April 23 to test its team members for
COVID-19.
Team members were asked to self-isolate until their results
returned. The company worked with local health officials to verify
test results, which were communicated to team members. Team members
who tested positive will only return to work once they have met the
criteria outlined by the CDC for safely returning employees back to
work. Team members who have not been tested will be unable to
return to work, and all new hires will be tested prior to starting
work.
“The health and safety of our team members is our top priority,”
said Shane Miller, senior vice president and general manger beef
enterprise. “While the plant was idle, we performed a deep clean
and sanitization of the facility and took proactive steps to
complement our existing prevention efforts. Information is
the best tool to fight COVID-19 and we’re focused on further
educating our team members about CDC guidance to prevent spreading
the virus. We have a diverse workforce and will provide this
education in all languages spoken among our team
members.”
Team members returning to work today will begin their shift with
a facility tour to see the changes made to promote social
distancing and additional protective measures that follow CDC and
OSHA’s guidance for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers and
Employers. These include:
- The use of infrared thermometers to check the temperature of
team members before they enter company facilities.
- Supplying of protective facial coverings to every team member
and requiring they are utilized.
- Required use of face shields for team members where workstation
barriers can’t physically be implemented.
- Wellness checks to screen for symptoms, such as coughing and
shortness of breath.
- Additional dedicated social distance monitors stationed
throughout the facility during all shifts to ensure team members
are adhering to safety protocols and social distancing
requirements.
Tyson has also partnered with Matrix Medical Network, a leading
medical clinical services company, to provide a mobile health
clinic at the Pasco facility. The mobile clinic will provide
community-based health services, including diagnostic (PCR) testing
for COVID-19, daily on-site clinical screenings, access to nurse
practitioners, and employee education and support for personal
health goals or concerns. Matrix Medical is also assisting with the
environmental design of the facility to mitigate the risk of
community spread.
The company doubled the amount of its “thank you” bonus for its
frontline workers, and team members who cannot come to work because
of illness or childcare issues related to COVID-19 will continue to
qualify. 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.
“We would like to thank Tyson for continuing to take these
measures seriously and putting the safety and welfare of their
employees first,” said Meghan DeBolt, director of Walla Walla
County Department of Community Health. “We would also like to thank
our Department of Community Health team and Providence St. Mary
Medical Center for helping test such a large number of Tyson
employees quickly and efficiently. This was a huge team effort
by everyone and a testament to the readiness of Walla Walla County
to respond to a COVID-19 outbreak.”
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.
Media Contacts:
HLI YANG, 479-290-2122, Hli.Yang@tyson.com
WALLA WALLA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH, 509-524-2916,
EOCPIO@co.walla-walla.wa.us
Tyson Foods (NYSE:TSN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Tyson Foods (NYSE:TSN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024