Tyson fires seven managers accused of betting on how many workers would get COVID-19

By Lihn Ta

Iowa Capital Dispatch

Tyson Foods fired seven plant managers in Waterloo, Iowa, following an independent investigation into allegations that they privately wagered money on the number of workers who would be sickened by COVID-19.

In a statement on Wednesday, Tyson CEO Dean Banks said the firings were “based on the findings” from the investigation, though those details were not released.

Allegations filed in a wrongful death lawsuit, first reported by Iowa Capital Dispatch, accused Tyson Foods of “willful and wanton disregard for workplace safety,” specifically at its Waterloo pork processing plant.

In mid-April, plant manager Tom Hart organized a cash buy-in, winner-take-all betting pool for supervisors and managers to wager how many plant employees would test positive for COVID-19, according to the lawsuit.

According to the local health department in Black Hawk County, more than 1,000 workers at the plant — over a third of the facility’s workforce — contracted the virus.

After the allegations were reported, Banks traveled to Waterloo last month and again on Tuesday to meet with employees and community leaders, according to Tyson’s news release.

“We were very upset to learn of the behaviors found in the allegations, as we expect our leaders to treat all team members with the highest levels of respect and integrity,” Banks said in a statement. “That’s why we have asked former Attorney General Eric Holder and his team to partner with Tyson to help us as we continue to look for ways to enhance a trusting and respectful workplace.”

Tyson Foods has several facilities in Missouri. In June, the company reported that 371 employees at its chicken processing plant in the far southwestern corner of Missouri had tested positive for COVID-19.

The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting has found 1,146 COVID-19 cases tied to meatpacking plants in Missouri, along with four deaths. However, they note that those numbers reflect what has been publicly reported; there might be more that have not been publicly identified.

(Photo from Tyson Fresh Foods)

Linh Ta is a reporter for Iowa Capital Dispatch. She previously worked for the Des Moines Register, where she covered trending news, public safety and the suburbs. Most recently, she has covered retail business and followed both national and local trends to provide insight about the issues that matter the most to Iowans. Beyond traditional journalism, Ta has worked as a speech coach with the Des Moines Storytellers Project with the goal of sharing the diverse perspectives of Iowans from all walks of life. She is the 2019 winner of the Young Iowa Journalist Award and the winner of an Iowa Broadcast News Award. Email her at lta@iowacapitaldispatch.com or follow her on Twitter @linhmaita.