JBS Plant in Brooks -- File photo

By Tiffany Goodwein

‘Very, very terrified’: Brooks residents launch petition demanding closure of JBS facility

Apr 26, 2020 | 4:06 PM

BROOKS AB. — A Brooks resident has launched an online petition calling for the shutdown of the JBS meat plant in the city.

Benyat Zeki organized the petition along with a group of friends that call themselves Second Generation United, a group mainly comprised of young people who are second generation immigrants in the city.

Zeki has lived in Brooks most of her life.

“We are very, very terrified especially those with direct connections to the plant. Like I said, I do not work there, but my family member does, so that puts us at risk, that puts entire households at risk,” Zeki said.

A major economic driver in the city of Brooks, JBS Canada employs roughly 2000 people.

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Zeki argues the company needs to pull the plug for the sake of their workers, and is in support of the UFCW local 401’s position urging a two week shutdown of the plant. Zeki is also pushing for an in person inspection.

“There is a lot of frustration, that workers can’t really do anything, that they are just expected to go to work or just stay at home if they didn’t feel safe,” she said.

“For my family member that keeps going to the plant, they don’t want to be there, but they are afraid that if they stay home they will lose their livelihood, that they will be called out for staying at home.”

UFCW Local 401 President Thomas Hesse, stated on Wednesday that hundreds of have refused to show up to work.

The province also confirmed last week that one worker at the JBS meat plant died as a result of COVID-19. Another resident also passed away due to the virus, bringing the total death count to two in the city.

Zeki is urging local government officials to pressure JBS to shutdown, but so far she said she has been disappointed in their response as cases of COVID-19 hit the triple digit mark in Brooks.

“It just seems like a lot of policymakers are going on what JBS has to say but doesn’t actually look into the workers who are putting their lives at risk,” added Zeki.

Brooks Mayor Barry Morishita has said he brought up concerns about worker safety with JBS Canada, but noted that he has not heard of any transmission happening at the plant.

He also said the company is doing what they can to keep workers safe with the measures they put in place.

“At this point I don’t underestimate the potential spread of JBS, but I believe the processes are in place to limit that. Where the processes need to be improved are in homes, people gathering, not social distancing, that will be the biggest mountain to climb.”

Zeki is critical of the Mayor’s previous statements, which argue that the spread is due to broad community transmission.

“Production is not conducive to physical distancing,” Zeki said.

“If people are not coming to work for a $4.00 an hour pay increase, why would they be going to people’s homes if they don’t feel safe?”

JBS Canada has stated they have taken a number of measures to protect worker safety, including temperature checks prior to entering the building, a ban on all visitors, and a requirement for everyone to wear PPE. The company has also staggered starts, shifts and breaks and increased spacing in cafeterias, break and locker rooms in order to instill physical distancing.

The company is also offering temporary leave for vulnerable workers with full pay and benefits.

The petition which launched three days ago has since garnered 1500 signatures.

The Saturday, April 25 provincial update, showed 452 active cases of COVID-19 in Brooks.