Thread by @RachelNotley

We are deeply concerned that hundreds of workers at a High River-area meat processing plant have been laid off or had their hours cut substantially for exercising their legal right to speak out about unsafe work conditions. 1/ #AbLeg

The Minister of Labour and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry have a duty to ensure these workers are safe. To date, there have been 38 confirmed COVID-19 cases — that we know of — at the Cargill plant and yet it remains open. 2/ #AbLeg

We’re also told by the Minister of Agriculture that he has worked with unions on a coronavirus protocol plan but we spoke to the province’s largest food sector union — @ufcw401 — and they have heard nothing from the Minister. 3/ #ableg

We are told the conditions are Cargill are very concerning, given COVID-19, with 2,000 workers coming in and out of the plant daily and working nearly shoulder to shoulder. 4/ #AbLeg

Calls by UFCW to shut the plant down for two weeks to assess and create a safe working space that is compliant with Public Health Orders have gone unanswered. Instead, the workers are now suffering. 5/ #AbLeg

We have seen plants in the US shut for two weeks after a single positive case. Here, we have 38 at least. Enough is enough, the Government must order the plant closed until all parties are satisfied that it is safe. 6/ #ableg

In the last 24 hours, we have also learned of COVID-19 cases at the JBL and Olymel meat plants as well.

And workers cannot face repercussions for simply speaking up for not only their safety but that of the entire community. 7/ #AbLeg

The companies running these plants have a duty to ensure the safety of the communities they operate.

Furthermore, the ministers — the Premier — have a responsibility to prevent community spread and take action to correction this highly concerning situation. /end #ableg