Union confirms fourth death linked to Olymel plant outbreak

RED DEER (660 NEWS) – A fourth death has now been linked to a COVID-19 outbreak at the Olymel meat processing plant.

The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 401 union confirmed another worker has died and that the investigation is underway but in the early stages.

The plant has started reopening processes Wednesday for training but has cancelled a slaughter shift for later in the day.

UFCW 401 representative Larry Zima said they are in support of its members.

“We’re here on the first day that people are being recalled back to work after the closure. We still do not believe this plant is safe to operate, but we are here showing our members that we are here.”

Zima added workers are scared to head back to the plant because they don’t feel safe.

The union said it is trying to work with Olymel to make the environment safe for workers and hope to get assistance from Alberta Health Services (AHS).

The plant has been closed since mid-February following the outbreak that infected hundreds of workers.

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