Tyson announces $60 million in bonuses for workers, truck drivers during coronavirus pandemic

Tyson Foods, Inc., one of the largest food companies in the world, has announced it will be paying roughly $60 million in bonuses to its frontline workers and truckers during the coronavirus pandemic.

As part of the announcement released by the company on Tuesday, 116,000 workers and truckers will be eligible to receive a $500 bonus in the first week of July.

“We’re proud of how our team members have stepped up during this challenging time to make sure we continue fulfilling our critical mission of feeding people across America,” Tyson Foods CEO Noel White said in a statement. 

“Our company recently relaxed our attendance policy and we encourage our team members to stay at home if they’re exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 infection. We’re taking additional precautionary measures, such as daily temperature checks at all our facilities and daily cleaning with extra sanitizing in high traffic areas,” White continued.

“Our team members are leading the charge to continue providing food to the nation,” White said, adding that the newly-announced bonuses are just “another way we can say ‘thank you’ for their efforts.”

In addition to the efforts made by the company to protect its workers and consumers amid the outbreak, the corporation said in a statement that it will also be waving its “5 consecutive day waiting period for short term disability benefits” for its mandatory health care coverage plan.

“So workers can receive pay while they’re sick with the flu or COVID-19,” the company added. 

The move also comes after the company, which is based in Springdale, Arkansas, recently announced it would be committing $13 million toward providing resources to local communities where it operates amid the pandemic.

“This includes $2 million in grants that will be allocated to non-profit organizations to help support Tyson team members and the local community,” the company added. “Investments will be focused on non-profit partners providing emergency response efforts such as rent and utility assistance, food distribution, health care, childcare, small business support and other economic recovery services.”