Tyson’s Fresh Meats was under an obligation to hire 245 full-time workers at the Waterloo, IA. Plant by September 30th, 2020. This requirement was a condition for a tax credit of $2 million. The date for compliance was extended by the Iowa Economic Development Authority as Tyson expanded the plant by 56,000 square feet and invested in renovations.
Due to the COVID outbreak, Tyson has not been able to fulfill its obligation and the date to hire the incremental workers has been extended until May 31st, 2021.
Tyson Foods suspended operations at the plant on April 22nd when it was disclosed that 1,000 workers yielded positive antigen tests for COVID-19. Following an investigation by the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration, no violations were found as Tyson was operating in accordance with CDC directives then in operation.