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Decisive Role of Workers in Flattening Curve of COVID-19 Contagion Olymel Workers Affirm Their Right to DecideDespite growing numbers of workers who have contracted COVID-19 at the Olymel pork processing plant in Red Deer, Alberta the company has refused to comply with the demand of the workers for a two-week "circuit breaker" shutdown. There are 1,850 workers at the Olymel plant, where 10,000 pigs are slaughtered and processed daily. There were 315 COVID-19 cases linked to the plant on February 14, with 194 active cases, more than double the number the previous week. A young worker, only 30 years of age, tragically died from COVID-19 on January 28.
"We urge you to act on these three points with the greatest urgency. Every infection carries the risk of death or serious, long-lasting health consequences we are only beginning to understand. We cannot afford to wait," the letter to Olymel management from Local 401 President Thomas Hesse and Secretary-Treasurer Richelle Stewart stated. The Olymel workers base their conclusion that they are not safe on the conditions they face every day. The fight waged by the workers has led to measures such as provision of proper personal protective equipment, plexiglass barriers, and increased cleaning, but these measures alone cannot stop a large outbreak with 1,850 workers packed together and working at breakneck speed. More than three weeks after a "new cluster" of COVID-19 cases began, the Olymel spokesperson says they are still investigating how the "cluster" began but that "We hope the numbers come down this week for the sake of our employees." Both AHS and OH&S continue to claim that the situation is "under control." The workers do not accept these assurances any more than the Cargill workers did when they finally forced the closure of their plant last May, after receiving repeated claims that the workplace was safe as the number of cases spiraled. In that outbreak 950 workers were infected and there were three deaths. Olymel workers are speaking out and demanding concrete measures including immediate closure and full compensation. The experience of workers in the packing plants and other industries has shown that it is the efforts of the workers themselves and their collective action which has been responsible for success in containing outbreaks and safeguarding the workers. This is why they must have the final say in determining if their working conditions are safe, and the right to have an effective voice and the power to decide what serves the interests of working people and the broad interests of society. (Photo: UFCW)
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Local
401 United Food and Commercial Workers President
Tom Hesse called for a
temporary shutdown with full compensation for
the workers on February 6
after consulting with the workers. Eighty-one
per cent of the workers
who responded to a survey said they did not feel safe at
work, and 87 per cent
supported a temporary shutdown. Local 401 also
demanded an immediate joint meeting with union
officials, an
independent health expert or experts, and
government officials from
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and
Alberta Health Services
(AHS).