Unions representing workers at meat packing plants in southern Alberta say workers at those facilities should be high on the list for getting the COVID vaccine.
A spokesman with the UFCW says they understand there's a shortage of the vaccine at the moment. But Thomas Hesse says when supplies start to build up again in the next couple of weeks, workers at plants like JBS in Brooks and the Cargill plant in High River should be given top priority.
The Cargill plant was forced to close its doors for two weeks last spring, after several dozen workers contracted COVID 19 and at least two workers died. The JBS plant in Brooks didn't shut down, but went on reduced shifts for 4 weeks, after many workers there also contracted the virus.
A spokesman at Cargill says the company is working with health officials to make sure employees have easy access to vaccines, when they're available. JBS is planning to offer a 100-dollar bonus to workers that choose to get vaccinated.
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