Thursday, April 23, 2020

Conestoga Meats under investigation

Inspectors from the provincial labour ministry launched an investigation at Conestoga Meat Packers east of Kitchener this week after two complaints were filed about COVID-19 risks.

Manager Arnold Drung admitted that some workers have tested positive, but would not say how many. CBC News reported Friday that seven tested positive.

The farmer-owned plant continues to operate.

Drung told reporters that COVID-19 precautions are in place, including daily temperature and symptom screening of workers with a nurse present, use of personal protective equipment, increased sanitation throughout the facility, staggering break and shift times as well as repurposing meeting rooms.
The plant is the second-largest hog slaughter plant in Ontario and among the handful of large ones in Eastern Canada.

Drung and the plant owners are in a tough spot. If they continue to run the plant, and workers get sick and die, they will no doubt suffer pangs of conscience. But if they shutter the plant, many hundreds of people's livelihoods will be impacted.