"'Everyone tested positive': Covid devastates agricultural workers in California's heartland," 8 August 2020

Workers...took their places at the production lines...as their companies made excuses for why coworker after coworker stopped showing up... Some workers said they had to learn from news reports that they had been exposed to Covid-19. Others said they felt obligated to work even when showing virus symptoms... Many...are Latinx and do not speak English, making it difficult for them to communicate with their employers and understand their rights.

At least 151 Primex workers have tested positive for Covid-19, according to the company...

“When I told them that I was positive, the HR lady told me not to tell anyone,” she said...

At Primex, employees went on strike on 25 June and 6 July to demand the company adhere to federal law...to provide paid leave for specified reasons related to Covid-19 for up to 80 hours. After the strike, workers received their 80 hours, but then Primex laid off 40 employees, including...some of the most outspoken when it came to the virus. Primex said the cuts were necessary because of production needs. Soon afterwards, it began hiring new workers.

Jesse Rojas, a Primex spokesman, said the allegations...were “false” and “hearsay”...He added: “All of the changes in personnel are typical changes during the season.”

[A]nother outbreak swept through Central Valley Meat Co, a slaughterhouse and beef-packaging plant...Martin...tested positive in late April...[and] said some of his coworkers kept working despite displaying symptoms because they were afraid to lose their jobs if they stopped...Central Valley Meat Co did not return repeated requests for comment.