Two lawsuits, both filed [Tyson complaint One and Tyson Complaint Two] by the estates or surviving family members of Tyson workers who died from contracting COVID-19 at their workplace, allege that the managers of meatpacking plants acted recklessly, lied to their employees about the risk COVID-19 posed, and placed bets among themselves on how many employees would contract the disease.
Lawsuits Allege Tyson Managers Placed Bets on the Spread of Coronavirus
Smithfield Plant Hit with Largest Fine for COVID-19 Violations
Smithfield Foods and a subcontractor have been fined more than $100,000 for COVID-19 worker safety violations by the California Division of Occupation Safety and Health.
Federal Judge Dismisses Suit Brought by Smithfield Workers
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a nonprofit workers group and an unidentified worker at a Smithfield processing facility in Missouri alleging that the company failed to institute measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The judge ruled that the workers need to ask the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration about workplace protections.
Smithfield Workers File Suit, Allege Company Failed to Protect them During Pandemic
The nonprofit workers group the Rural Community Workers Alliance and an unidentified worker at a Smithfield processing facility in Missouri have filed suit against the company, alleging it failed to institute measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as maintaining distance between workers, providing personal protective equipment, and allowing time for handwashing. The complaint also alleges that workers often do not even have sufficient time to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. The plaintiffs are seeking changes in working conditions, but no money damages.