Major union supports company’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement

Powder Bulk Solids Staff

September 7, 2021

2 Min Read
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Image courtesy of Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods is strengthening the benefits it offers its fully vaccinated US frontline team members.

Effective January 1, 2022, fully vaccinated team members can begin earning up to 20 hours of paid sick leave per year. New hires will also receive one week of vacation after six months of employment. 

“These measures are the latest examples of our ongoing efforts to make Tyson the most sought-after place to work, while reinforcing the importance of team members’ health and safety,” said Johanna Söderström, executive vice president and chief human resources officer of Tyson Foods. 

The new policies come on top of recent compensation improvements, which have included pay increases and other incentives as well as referral and signing bonuses. The average base pay plus benefits for Tyson’s US production workers is currently valued at more than $22 per hour, which includes medical, vision, and dental benefits. Tyson is also piloting flexible work schedules at its production facilities and has introduced health clinics at seven locations to allow easy and free access tohealth care.  

Tyson continues to provide its US workers with free, on-site access to COVID-19 vaccinations. Continuing vaccination events are scheduled throughout the country to offer all team members the vaccine in time for the November 1 deadline. The company is also giving $200 as a thank you to fully vaccinated frontline team members, as well as giving out more than $6 million in sweepstakes to incentivize vaccinations. The company is also conducting an extensive outreach campaign to educate and inform team members about the COVID-19 vaccinations.  

These efforts are working. Today, more than 90,000 (or more than 75%) of the company’s US team members have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. More than 30,000 team members have been vaccinated since the company announced its requirement in early August.  

The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), and the affiliated Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), have discussed the vaccine roll-out with the company and announced that they support Tyson Foods’ vaccination requirement. The UFCW and RWDSU represent more than 80% of the 31,000 Tyson Foods’ workers in the US who are unionized.   

About the Author(s)

Powder Bulk Solids Staff

Established in 1983, Powder & Bulk Solids (PBS) serves industries that process, handle, and package dry particulate matter, including the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical markets.

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