Coronavirus: Tyson Foods to pay $60M in bonuses to front-line workers, truckers amid pandemic

Arkansas-based food producer Tyson said it plans to award about $60 million in bonuses to its tens of thousands of front-line employees and truck drivers working through the coronavirus pandemic.

In a Tuesday press release, the company announced it will pay $500 bonuses to about 116,000 eligible workers in early July.

"Our team members are leading the charge to continue providing food to the nation," Noel White, the company's chief executive officer, said in a statement. "The bonuses are another way we can say 'thank you' for their efforts."

White said Tyson Foods has been encouraging workers to stay home if they show coronavirus symptoms or need to care for children, restricting visitors in its facilities, ramping up cleaning and sanitizing efforts, and conducting daily temperature checks on employees.

"In addition, the company is offering protective face coverings for production workers who request them and is working with the CDC on additional guidance on the use of personal protective equipment," the news release said.

The company also said it has “mandatory health care coverage” and “is waiving the five consecutive-day waiting period for short-term disability benefits, so workers can receive pay while they’re sick with the flu or COVID-19.”