UFCW refuses to defend meatpackers as Alberta government approves reopening of COVID-stricken Olymel plant
Alberta’s United Conservative Party (UCP) government greenlighted the re-opening of slaughterhouse and meatpacking operations at Olymel’s Red Deer plant this past Thursday and Friday even as a virulent COVID-19 outbreak continues to plague the 1,850 low-wage workers at the pork processing facility.
At least 515 workers have been infected by the virus since mid-November when the outbreak began.
The plant is reopening with at least 91 COVID-19 cases still active among the workforce. Four deaths have resulted from the outbreak, including three in the weeks leading up to and during a two-week plant shutdown that began in mid-February. Several other workers remain severely sickened by the virus.
Olymel hog plant in Alberta reopens after shutdown due to pandemic leaderpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from leaderpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Saturday, March 6
Alberta is expanding its COVID-19 vaccine rollout to include people under age 75 starting March 15 and aims to be able to offer all adults in the province their first dose by the end of June.
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CBC News ·
Posted: Mar 05, 2021 9:26 AM MT | Last Updated: March 6
Alberta senior Prem Charles, 83, gets a COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 26, 2021. Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro said on Thursday that if vaccine shipments arrive as scheduled, all adults in the province will receive their first dose by the end of June.(Alberta Health Services)
Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Thursday, March 4
Alberta reports a jump in new COVID-19 cases, a Red Deer meat-processing plant at the centre of an outbreak linked to three worker deaths plans to reopen and NDP Leader Rachel Notley urges the UCP government to keep it closed while launching a public inquiry of the Olymel outbreak.
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CBC News ·
Posted: Mar 04, 2021 11:15 AM MT | Last Updated: March 7
The Olymel outbreak, first declared on Nov. 17, 2020, has been linked to at least 500 cases, and led to the temporary closure of the plant on Feb. 15.(Olymel)
Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta on Wednesday, March 3
Decisions about what constitutes safe indoor fitness activities will be left to gym owners and their clients, Alberta s health minister says as the province moves to a modified version of Step 2 in easing restrictions.
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CBC News ·
Posted: Mar 03, 2021 10:14 AM MT | Last Updated: March 3
Under Step 2 of the province s relaunch plan, announced on Monday, gyms and fitness centres were allowed to reopen for low-intensity activities.(CBC)