(Seguin) — Tyson Foods is doing its part to further protect its employees by being among the first batch of corporations to extend onsite COVID-19 vaccinations to family members of employees as well as others living in their homes. Here in Seguin, those vaccinations will be administered to its employees and their families this Friday.
The expanded benefit, believed to be one of the first of its kind, have already taken place at Tyson locations in Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma and Virginia.
Gary Mickelson, a spokesperson for Tyson Foods, tells the Seguin Daily News that Tyson’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Claudia Coplein understands that because Tyson is a family company, they want to protect them against the virus.
He says that’s why she believes it’s important that they strive to be a valued partner in every plant community in which their team members call home.
Beau Hart, an Amarillo team member, was vaccinated last Friday and brought his wife and mother-in-law to the on-site vaccination clinic Saturday. Amarillo was the first Texas location to offer the service.
“I’ve been wanting to get the vaccine,” said Beu’s wife Rayia Hart. “I have a little boy at home who has a compromised immune system and I work with the public in my job. We think it is great Tyson offered this to families, as well at no cost.”
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Vice President Mark Lauritsen said, “As the largest union for America’s meatpacking workers, UFCW welcomes this important step by Tyson to increase vaccine access for many of the brave essential workers we represent, as well as their families. Expanding access to free vaccine programs like this is vital to public health and keeping our plants and communities safe. UFCW is urging all companies in the industry to follow the lead of Tyson and others taking steps to further expand vaccine access for frontline food workers as they continue to keep our food supply secure during the pandemic.”
Nearly 40,000 Tyson Foods employees have been vaccinated so far at more than 100 events held onsite at Tyson facilities or in nearby community facilities.
In preparation for the vaccinations, Tyson Foods has been providing expert resources and education about the vaccine to team members. This information is available in multiple languages and team members also have access to a hotline to ask questions. In addition to offering free, on-site vaccinations, the company is also compensating workers for up to four hours of regular pay if they are vaccinated outside of their normal shift or through an external source.