Meatpacking Industry Pushes for Worker Vaccinations
Big meatpacking companies like Tyson and JBS are working to get their employees vaccination quickly to avoid more coronavirus cases in meatpacking facilities.
By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
Jan 21, 2021
As COVID-19 cases rise within the meatpacking industry, top meatpacking companies and unions are advocating for meatpacking workers to be a priority vaccination group, according to Bloomberg Government.
Various meatpacking facilities have been cited by OSHA for COVID-19 violations. The Food Environment Reporting Network reports 53,620 positive coronavirus cases and 269 deaths among meatpacking employees as of Jan. 15.
Companies such as Tyson Food, JBS and Cargill Inc. are attempting to get workers vaccinated. Tyson has partnered with Matrix Medical Network, a clinical services company, as part of the company’s effort to vaccinate its employees. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union also wrote a letter on Dec. 23
President-elect Joe Biden will push for an OSHA standard to protect workers from COVID-19.
By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
Jan 20, 2021
President-elect Joe Biden announced a $1.9 trillion plan to benefit workers and instill workplace safety standards related to the pandemic on Jan. 14, according to Bloomberg Law.
The proposal is intended to be the first part of a two-step plan. It specifies providing “relief to individuals and businesses” that have struggled due to COVID-19. One part of the plan encourages OSHA to issue a coronavirus protection standard, as there are currently only guidelines, not an official standard.
The proposal also mentions extending enhanced unemployment benefits through September 2021. The extra federal benefit would also increase from $300 a week to $400 a week. Congress’ emergency paid leave mandate would be expanded under the plan as well. Paid sick and paid family and medical leave for COVID-19-related circumstances would also be mandated.
Starting Jan. 26, all incoming United States passengers must provide a negative COVID-19 test.
By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
Jan 14, 2021
The CDC announced on Jan. 12 that air passengers who are entering the United States must provide a negative COVID-19 test before they can board their flight, according to NPR.
The rule will go into effect on Jan. 26. It arrives in the midst of another surge in coronavirus cases across the country the death toll from the virus is expected to exceed 400,000 in the next few weeks.
“Testing does not eliminate all risk,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield. “But when combined with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer, healthier and more responsible by reducing spread on planes, in airports and at destinations.”
Department of Labor Publishes Guidance on Split-Worker Compensation
The Wage and Hour Division clarified when travel during the work day is compensable and when it is not.
By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
Jan 12, 2021
The Department of Labor issued a new guidance on December 31 detailing that employers are not required to pay travel time to employees who work from home for part of the work day, according to Connecticut Business and Industry Association, Inc.
The Wage and Hour Division addressed questions of compensation for partially remote work days and travel time in response by using two example scenarios a worker who commutes to a personal event in the middle of their shift, and a worker who drives to a doctor’s appointment during a shift. In both examples, it was determined that compensation for travel is not owed to the employee.
Ontario Government Funds Safety Measures for Forestry Jobs
Forestry businesses, which were declared essential in Canada, will receive support from the Ontario government to aid in workplace safety.
By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
Jan 08, 2021
The government in Ontario, Canada announced on January 6 that it is investing $5.3 million to assist forest sector businesses with the cost of coronavirus safety measures.
The investment is funded through the federal Forest Sector Safety Measures Fund, which was introduced on July 10, 2020. The $5.3 million will be used to set up sanitation stations, enhanced cleaning, worker training, measures to increase social distancing and the purchase of PPE.
“Protecting workers in our forest sector was one of the federal government’s early commitments during the pandemic,” said Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources. “We said we would be there for Canadians through COVID-19 and we are delivering.”