Michigan Union: Conditions Unsafe In Holland Plant

HOLLAND, MI — A Michigan workers union said conditions at a Kraft Heinz plant in Holland are unsafe and are demanding extra precautions be taken in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Local 705 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) said in a news release that there have been repeated delays in providing adequate personal protective equipment to workers at Kraft Heinz plant in Holland. The union said in the news release that workers are forced to use vacation time if they self quarantine due to contact with others with the coronavirus, conduct the union described as "just wrong."

“Our members are putting their own lives on the line to keep us safe and fed," the union said in the release. "They deserve more than just our thanks and gratitude in these challenging times — they are essential workers and deserve essential pay. They are shouldering extra burdens, taking extra risks and experiencing incredible stress — none of which were supposed to be part of their jobs."

Other claims made by the union include insufficient protections, quarantine procedures and necessary essential pay for workers.

“Most outrageously, despite the fact that COVID-19 has been spreading across our nation for weeks, workers at this facility still don’t have the proper PPE they need," RWDSU said in the news release. "Weeks ago workers were promised masks, and they’re still yet to arrive, despite promises from management day after day that they would."

Michael Mullen, a senior vice president at Kraft Heinz, said the company has provided workers bonuses of $100 per week and are no longer requiring workers to use vacation time if they are required to quarantine.

"Following the update of CDC face protection guidelines, the company quickly procured and is distributing protective masks, which will arrive in Holland in the next day or two," Mullen said in an email. "We would never encourage employees to come to work if they are not well and from the beginning of this outbreak, we have asked any employee who feels unwell to stay home and seek medical assistance. We’ve also added social distancing on our production lines and in all other areas of our factories and health questionnaires as part of employee safety routines at our factories."

Mullen added that the company will begin conducting temperature checks on workers this week.